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They can't restrain themselves. They can't reason. They can't love. The Infected can only suffer and rage, attacking stranger and caregiver alike. The only release from this misery is death. Until one man, in a hospital for abandoned Infected, does the unthinkable. He recovers. The After the Cure Book 1: After the Cure Book 2: The Cured Book 3: Krisis Book 4: Poveglia Book 5: The 40th Day And a new story in the After the Cure Before the Cure now available

341 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 5, 2015

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264 people want to read

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Deirdre Gould

24 books154 followers

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5 stars
192 (42%)
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173 (37%)
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74 (16%)
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14 (3%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
Profile Image for Rebecca.
674 reviews28 followers
May 1, 2021
Now halfway through the series, we take another turn to a different area, with a largely different group of survivors. Toward the end we tie in characters from books 1 and 2, as you slowly see the different plot lines start to merge, but that’s not the focus of the majority of the book.

Krisis has a different rhythm to it than the first two books, both in that it spans a longer frame of time (apart from the flashbacks used in The Cured), and because it uses that extended period of time to slow down and deal with some of the moral issues that were touched on but not delved into in the first two books. Also, in the first two books we were in a city and a group that knew about the Cure and were aware that the Infected could be saved. For the majority of this book, the main characters don’t know of the existence of a cure, and it affects how they interact with the Infected, on all levels.

I don’t love that the villain in the book, aside from the darkness in all of us, is a religious figure who turns fanatic and gathers a cult around him. On the one hand, Evil Religious Cult is such a trope in horror/post-apocalypse/survival genres, that I get very tired of it. On the other hand, there’s a reason that this is such a common plot thread, and it might be more truism than trope. Extreme situations make people look for comfort, leadership, or answers, wherever they can be found, and that’s a situation ripe for despots of all forms. And there is a countering influence of Brother Vincent in other books, to show the other, better way faith can shape your decisions.

Morality, responsibility, compassion—these are all the concepts the characters in this book struggle with, and there really isn’t a clear answer. (Except don’t —that’s not a good option. The fact that you, as the reader, know that there’s a cure, but Ruth and Juliana don’t, makes the whole thing more fraught. Knowing there’s a cure, Juliana’s method of dealing with the Infected seems to make more sense, at least on the surface. But believing there isn’t one and the only thing that staying alive does for the Infected is prolong their suffering, perhaps Ruth’s choice is the better one. The book ends without telling us what the “right” choice is, and I appreciate that, because....there really wasn’t one, and trying to force something that complex into a neat box at the end would have undermined the entire rest of the book.

I think you could read this as a stand alone entry in the series. It certainly connects both the past and future books, I don’t think you need to read them in order to get the main points of this one, and you could (probably) skip this one without losing much of the overall plot. But, I’m glad it’s here, and I think it’s an important read, to understand the actions and decisions that come later. I think it may later serve as a jumping off point for a spinoff series, since Ruth’s story is clearly not finished. I’d definitely come back to this world for the rest of Ruth’s journeys.

I see this getting dragged as the weakest book in the series, for the very reasons I think it’s a strong entry. Don’t skip it because it’s a different take.
Profile Image for Ken Sodemann.
80 reviews1 follower
November 17, 2017
Somewhat dark and depressing tale, which is good. I like dark and depressing in a book like this.

In the end, this book is an interesting take on the reality of different moral choices and the various sides to those choices, both good and bad. Even when done for good compassionate reasons there is often not clear-cut justice to one's actions. Keeping the infected alive lacks compassion in many ways, yet killing them clearly does too. Which is the correct choice? Is there a correct choice or just two bad choices?

This book also delves into those who think they are taking the righteous path but in the end, just have a God complex. That whole bit with Father Preston was probably the only downside of the book. His portrayal was rather ham-fisted and lacked a lot of the subtlety that could have come into that role given a pastor with far less of a God complex. That would have made the dynamic between him and Ruth one where a lot of people could have sympathized both sides of the issue equally, making that choice even more difficult. It is easy to side with Ruth since Fr. Preston is obviously being manipulated to use the infected for profit / slave labor and also has a God complex. If he were more of a believable Pastor w/o a God complex who really just had a moral beef with what Ruth was doing, that could have been an interesting dynamic that brought up more questions.

OTOH, regarding the whole God complex thing, this is the first book in which I have seen transubstantiation brought up as a topic, so kudos there.
Profile Image for Teresa.
1,902 reviews33 followers
April 5, 2021
I gave up on this one half way through. Religion. Priests. Idiocy.
Profile Image for Alyssia Cooke.
1,418 reviews38 followers
August 15, 2017
I didn't get on with this installment in the series as well as I did the first two; the characters didn't grip me anywhere near as much and too many themes were simply repeated rather than expanded on. We've already seen the infected used as slaves, there's nothing new there. We know they eat flesh. Nothing new there either.

I also found it difficult to quite believe that one person alone would be able to care for a hundred infected in a mental hospital, even with a certain amount of help from the local community. That in addition to her close friendship to the woman who euthanises the infected, just didn't quite sit right in my mind. In fact, a lot about this novel just didn't quite sit right.

The priests reminded me of those American rabble rousers who stir up hatred and I could see that, however the ease with which these people followed him into torture and murder wasn't quite played right, particularly in light of the people they were killing. Once again we have a very, very bad guy but there's no reason for him being a bad guy other than the fact that he is evil; at least the priest has a backstory, the main villain is just a 2D cut away. And on that matter, I found the flash backs to the priests background to be quite frankly boring.

The ending simply didn't make sense either. I won't say anymore because, well, spoilers, but the entire thing is so far out of the realms of believability that it really jolts you out of your reading. There are a million other ways I could see the ending going; all of which make far more sense than the utterly bafflingly unrealistic one which the author picked.

Finally, the swapping between characters within the novel didn't work for me either. The authors way of telling a different characters tale with each novel is inventive and works well, but swapping between multiple characters within the same book was nowhere near as effective. Much like the cut-scenes, I found the sections with our earliest characters from the first book to be nothing more than boring.

A pity, because the first two were really quite good.
Profile Image for Kelli W.
621 reviews172 followers
March 2, 2018
3.5/5

I was happy to see the storylines start to come together in this book, however briefly. Book 2 was a stand-alone, separate from the 1st novel's characters. This book is primarily a stand-alone (90%) as well. Connections do start coming together in this book, as we see a few main characters from the first book, (very very briefly, from the second) rejoin the plot. Overall, enjoyed this, written very well.
Provided good transition into the 4th book.
Profile Image for A Z.
67 reviews
March 14, 2017
Amazing

Can't wait to continue the series. This one tore my heart open with Ruth's story. I had to take a break from reading since I have a young daughter of my own and could relate so much to Ruth and her decisions.
Profile Image for Elizabeth S.
27 reviews4 followers
June 24, 2021
This book was, yet again, another great addition to the series. It takes place in another city, where these infected have also been surviving. Unlike the other city, they don't have any form of government left, and no chance for survival without the cure. It has been nearly nine years, and it has only gotten worse. Two women with very different points of views on how to deal with the infection has been a toll, and you get to see these people fight in a different kind of battle in order to survive as long as they have.
It connected to the other books very well. Bringing in Nella and Frank into the book to bring this cure that nobody knew about was in interesting take on it.
While it was a food book, I was a little disappointed in the ending, but hopefully next book will continue on the long journey.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Lisa Rector.
Author 37 books59 followers
February 6, 2019
Not what I expected. I felt that the blurb was misleading. It talks about a man who woke up cured in the hospital. I thought the book would follow his storyline. It did get into it a bit, but the novel was mostly about Ruth. And the novel brought Nella and Frank back in, thankfully. The two worlds finally converged. I did not like all the Congregation stuff led by Father Preston. That was all just nuts. And a lot of the characters’ speeches just went on and on. But I liked how the novel ended, and it brings us back to the end of the second novel with that crazy line about transubstantiation. So that all makes sense finally. I look forward to figuring out what Nella and Frank are going to do to save everyone.

Reader Rated for ages 17+ for moderate violence and gore.
45 reviews
May 8, 2020
Enjoyed how this ties Into other lives and stories from the precious two books. However, the misspellings, grammatical errors, and ridiculously slow burn of a read had me bored as all get up. The ending though was quite a turn around of events. Ready for book 4 to continue the journey. High hopes it’s as good as the first two and not this one.
60 reviews
January 14, 2018
Ok for series

This book has frustrated me tbh......it really took some reading and I nearly gave up at time......however the last few chapters have redeemed it and now I want to buyh the next in the series!
15 reviews
April 4, 2018
Perfect third, I want more!

The first two in the series were awesome, but I love how this one tied all of the stories together. I'm eager to the fourth and any coming after. Can you write, like 20 of these?
Profile Image for Stevie (Books & Barks).
174 reviews4 followers
November 24, 2021
This one didn't quite pull me in as much as the first two did. Having said that I still liked the way it ties to the previous story and I really liked the ending and the foreshadowing for the next book.
Profile Image for Antonis Spanakis.
21 reviews1 follower
November 30, 2016
Fits really good in the series. Really like the different storylines.
I however skipped over the monastery parts.
Profile Image for Deborah  Colgrove.
116 reviews2 followers
June 10, 2017
Excellent writer. She really knows how to grab the audience. I love her books.
Profile Image for dana o connor.
17 reviews
July 12, 2017
Wow

After the cure
Loving this series
Totally gripped
No time to write here need to download next...

Totally recommend these books
Profile Image for Elisa Liana Mendoza.
17 reviews
October 25, 2019
This one is slow

Really slow...a whole lot of exposition. It was a little hard to get through but, I did like the ending. Looking forward to the next book in the series!
Profile Image for Reg.
394 reviews13 followers
September 6, 2015
You've finally done it, Gould, I'm so proud. :) So glad I stayed the course for this book. This is the best yet, by far.

Characters I can get behind and emote about. A villain that isn't just somewhat interesting, but actually complicated enough that I understand his motivations and love hating him. A mystery guy who seems pretty cool but may or may not have a checkered past. Who knows? Who doesn't have a checkered past anymore? Does it matter? Maybe instead, we should worry about this building full of zombies or whether this horde of bad-religion-fueled assbags will rampage or not. Good idea? Good idea.

Book One: Nella and Frank. You guys sucked.
Book Two: Henry. Alright, Henry, you were pretty cool.
Book Three: RUTH. FUCK YES. THE PEOPLE DEMAND MORE OF RUTH.

Ruth does not play.

The first time Ruth showed me her "I don't fucking play" face I was like, "DAAAAAYUM, Ruth! Git 'em!!" Ruth brings out my inner redneck. (Though I will vehemently deny having one of those if pressed)

Ruth isn't quite "Bitch I will cut you." She's more "Look. I don't really want to cut you. But if you fuck with me, I will fucking end you. Don't fucking fuck with me." Props. Fistbump. Respect. YAASSSSSS. Love Ruth.

The editing issues in the last two books are less pronounced in this one. There's one particular time jump that's done for perspective purposes that makes things a little difficult to follow for a bit. The strange non-use of contractions continues. Maybe I'm just getting used to it or maybe it was because of the religious characters in this one, but it seemed less prevalent.

TL;DR: Good book. Loved Ruth. Will continue to continue the series. But this time with enthusiasm.
Profile Image for Merawlee.
186 reviews14 followers
January 29, 2016
This one was a nice change of scenery taking us far from the City and the Cure, in a post-apocalyptic society that has almost reverted to medieval times.

I actually found it better than the second novel though there were many times I wanted to just give up and stop reading. Not because of the story but the priest... that [censured] priest!

I have never felt such a profound, even visceral hatred towards a fictional character. I despised him completely. He represented everything I see as rotten in a society, the zealousness, the fanatical obsessive belief that he hold the Truth. It has absolutely nothing to do with religion despite what is portrayed in the story but that type of person that I reject with my very fiber.

Once more, we see how depraved and inhuman people can become while wrapping themselves with the belief that hat they are doing is morally correct. smh

A good story (despite that &^%$ priest)and a ending that hints at what is to come.
Profile Image for Krisha Burnett scannapieco.
65 reviews7 followers
February 27, 2015
Deirdre Gould's After The Cure series is amazing! All three of the books in the series so far are told during the same period of time from different POV's. Without giving too many spoilers, the story takes place in the 8 years following a zombie like apocalypse and what happens after a cure is found with a potential new disaster looming on the horizon. Deirdre's characters are rich, complex and draw you in to their trials, tribulations, and triumphs. Her ability to write about the human condition and the emotions following survival in a world that has been devastated by unimaginable horrors is captivating and enthralling. If you are looking for a new take on dystopian post apocalyptic fiction, then this series is not to be missed!
Profile Image for Mary Lee.
499 reviews10 followers
March 12, 2016
Too Dark

I really wasn't a fan of this one. It was way too dark. I found the ending too contrived. Ruth talks to all the cured but a few in the house and they all follow her out with not one person anywhere whether cured or immune left to tell the Father that the cure was administered via darts by out if town visitors. Instead his congregation that saw the darts believes he is a Savior. Sorry, just way too contrived. The Father is obviously completely insane and how anyone could see his actions and not realize it, is beyond nuts. Instead they follow this supposed holy man that condones torture, killing, stealing and destroying their only way to grow food. I just really wasn't buying the way these plot lines were written.
Profile Image for Karen.
357 reviews18 followers
March 2, 2015
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.I found this too be a quite unique twist on the Zombie genre which I enjoyed.I have not read the previous books in the series, however I was able to jump right into the story easily.The story centers around Ruth and her desire to protect her family in a world of Zombies,of which one is her son.Ruth and her moral struggle to help the afflicted and a desire for a cure is what intrigued me the most.The author is talented at world building and provided well developed characters.I would recommend this book to any fan of the Zombie genre.I look forward to reading more by this author.
170 reviews3 followers
October 9, 2015
Frank and Nella cruise up the east coast looking for survivors. Finding the capitol devoid of life, they continue north. They find another city, with people. These people are in a state of turmoil as two groups of immune fight over the remaining infected, one group wanting to take care of them while another led by a priest convinced of his own godliness that wants to take care of them in a way that would have them used as beast of burden or slaves. And Frank and Nella learn that the original city was not as successful as they thought in containing the outbreak of the new incurable virus.

Recommended read.
Profile Image for Colleen Johnson.
Author 7 books15 followers
January 10, 2016
Moving and deep, brings the other books around

This is book three and in the end touches upon book one and two. Zombie like flesh eating Infected, some Cured, some Immune. Now we enter this world while Nella and Frank are sailing. This is Ruth and Juliana's story that wraps up with Vincent and Henry. Not to be missed! The bacteria that caused the December Plague was created not to hurt people but was intended to be kind of like an energy drink for police, military and other hard working people. It had a built in ingredient that was supposed to support endurance and instead fueled intense rates. Awesome series!
Profile Image for Lucas Hamasaki.
378 reviews5 followers
February 14, 2016
This was slightly better than the last two. But marginally so.

Ruth and Julianna were a very interesting dynamic. I would've enjoyed the story a lot better if it had been about them.

The priest was a waste of space. There are zombie-like people here. We don't need more villains. And now his story is probably gonna get even more annoying, considering the end.

And finally. Fucking Frank. "You CAN'T go. I WON'T let you!" Well, Nella is a grown, independent woman. She doesn't need your permission, misogynist asshole. And then, after making her give up on her only family in the world, making her feel like crap, he goes "actually you were right oops". ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP MUCH!?

Ugh. Come on.
Profile Image for Lesli.
429 reviews1 follower
February 19, 2016
I found this the longest and most annoying of the books. Again the good don't get enough praise and thanks and the bad don't get any justice. That REALLY annoys me in a book. And the way Juliana's story wrapped up was just plain MEAN to her and the reader!!!! I mean really!!! Could not ONE PERSON have thanked her?? JUST ONE!!! That was infuriating!!!!! And Ruth better show up in the final book!! She has got to have it out with the zealot priest!
Profile Image for Joyce A. Wendeln.
132 reviews2 followers
June 19, 2016
On We Go

In the 1st book we saw the Immune's view of the Plague. In the 2'nd book we saw the Infected's view of the Plague. Now in the 3 'rd book we learn how the Plague has effected other places and how they are handling it. The original city has sent out the cure and how it is being received. But remember, the 2nd round, the incurable round has started in the original city..
Profile Image for Tania Kliphuis.
140 reviews12 followers
November 20, 2018
Of all of the books in the series, this one made me the most uncomfortable. Good grief, the baddie is just so awful (actually there are two really awful baddies). The whole situation just made my skin crawl.

I really enjoyed this series because the author doesn't shy away from the truly evil parts of our humanity. And she also doesn't make a grand show of the really good parts either - it's never completely black and white.
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