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The Breadwinner Trilogy #1
The Breadwinner
The end of the world is not glamorous.
In a matter of days the human race was reduced to nothing more than vicious, flesh hungry creatures.
Criminal defense attorney Samson struggles to keep his family safe and his sanity intact when the world comes apart at the seams. Veronica, the high school track star, races to get her brother out of their doomed city. Ben, a military veteran, is forced to come to grips with the end of the world as he fights the undead. Andrew, a police officer, struggles to maintain some sort of humanity in a world overrun by death and destruction.
There are no heroes here, just survivors, and they all have one thing in common: who you once were can no longer determine who you will be in the face of catastrophe.
The Breadwinner, book 1 in The Breadwinner Trilogy, thrusts you head first into post-apocalyptic Northwest Florida and will leave you craving more.
In a matter of days the human race was reduced to nothing more than vicious, flesh hungry creatures.
Criminal defense attorney Samson struggles to keep his family safe and his sanity intact when the world comes apart at the seams. Veronica, the high school track star, races to get her brother out of their doomed city. Ben, a military veteran, is forced to come to grips with the end of the world as he fights the undead. Andrew, a police officer, struggles to maintain some sort of humanity in a world overrun by death and destruction.
There are no heroes here, just survivors, and they all have one thing in common: who you once were can no longer determine who you will be in the face of catastrophe.
The Breadwinner, book 1 in The Breadwinner Trilogy, thrusts you head first into post-apocalyptic Northwest Florida and will leave you craving more.
138 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 7, 2013
18 people are currently reading
269 people want to read
About the author
Stevie Kopas
13 books117 followerstevie Kopas was born and raised in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. She is a gamer, a writer and an apocalypse enthusiast. Stevie will never turn down a good cup of coffee and might even be a bit of a caffeine addict.
Stevie is the author of The Breadwinner Trilogy. Books 1 and 2, The Breadwinner and Haven were originally self-published in 2013 and 2014. The Breadwinner Trilogy was picked up by Permuted Press in May of 2014 and the second editions of both the first books were released in March and April of 2015. The third and final installment in The Breadwinner Trilogy, All Good Things, debuted in May of 2015. In June of 2015 The Breadwinner was the number one bestselling dystopian novel on Amazon.
Her fourth book, Never Say Die: Stories of The Zombie Apocalypse, was released in May 2016 but is currently unavailable pending rerelease by Permuted Press early 2017.
Her fifth novel, co-authored with Stephen Kozeniewski, SLASHVIVOR, was released September 2017.
Kopas also participates in the At Hell's Gates horror anthologies and all profits are donated to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. Her short stories, Nefarious, Patient 63, and Spencer Family Tradition can be found in the first three volumes of At Hell's Gates. Her other short story, Camp Counselors Wanted, can be found in Man Behind The Mask, a charity anthology that donates all proceeds to breast cancer research.
She currently resides in Panama City Beach, Florida and tries to spend as much time as she can soaking up the sun.
Stevie is also the Managing Editor of the website Horror Metal Sounds and a writer for the site. Offline, Stevie is a telecommunications professional.
You can visit the official website at http://someonereadthis.com and connect on Facebook via http://facebook.com/thebreadwinnertri... and also follow Stevie on Twitter @ApacoTaco
Stevie is the author of The Breadwinner Trilogy. Books 1 and 2, The Breadwinner and Haven were originally self-published in 2013 and 2014. The Breadwinner Trilogy was picked up by Permuted Press in May of 2014 and the second editions of both the first books were released in March and April of 2015. The third and final installment in The Breadwinner Trilogy, All Good Things, debuted in May of 2015. In June of 2015 The Breadwinner was the number one bestselling dystopian novel on Amazon.
Her fourth book, Never Say Die: Stories of The Zombie Apocalypse, was released in May 2016 but is currently unavailable pending rerelease by Permuted Press early 2017.
Her fifth novel, co-authored with Stephen Kozeniewski, SLASHVIVOR, was released September 2017.
Kopas also participates in the At Hell's Gates horror anthologies and all profits are donated to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. Her short stories, Nefarious, Patient 63, and Spencer Family Tradition can be found in the first three volumes of At Hell's Gates. Her other short story, Camp Counselors Wanted, can be found in Man Behind The Mask, a charity anthology that donates all proceeds to breast cancer research.
She currently resides in Panama City Beach, Florida and tries to spend as much time as she can soaking up the sun.
Stevie is also the Managing Editor of the website Horror Metal Sounds and a writer for the site. Offline, Stevie is a telecommunications professional.
You can visit the official website at http://someonereadthis.com and connect on Facebook via http://facebook.com/thebreadwinnertri... and also follow Stevie on Twitter @ApacoTaco
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
November 2, 2013
The Breadwinner, book one in an anticipated trilogy, is the debut novel by Stevie Kopas. I love when I get the opportunity to read an apocalyptic book written from a female perspective. At only 139 pages, Kopas manages to write a complete story line with believable and relatable characters. Don't be fooled by it's length, The Breadwinner delivered on it's promise to leave readers wanting more, but still successfully tells a captivating tale.
The Breadwinner begins post outbreak, bringing us into the remnants of a collapsed society. Samson, the main protagonist, is a lawyer and family man. His wife Moira, a petulant and demanding gold digger, portrays qualities that would land her the lead role in The Real Housewives of the Undead TV show (should anyone ever consider creating this of course). Samson is forced to defend and provide for his family against not only the undead, but the living.
Veronica, a teenage girl who survived in the city against all odds, is forced to grow up fast and defend herself as her world crumbles around her. Kopas does an exceptional job of giving readers a realistic and emotional journey through Veronica's eyes. While the story is told in real time, Kopas successfully conveys the events leading up to present time using memories and flash backs. Often times when I read a story laid out like this I find the space-time continuum gets jumbly and confusing. (Don't get me started on the space-time continuum, it really messes with my head, I'm just too analytical to not go crazy)
While clearly a zombie read, The Breadwinner's biggest achievement is its rich character development and the emotional ride in which readers embark upon. Veronica is a brilliant character and quickly becomes (at least for this reader) the most intriguing part of the story.
The Breadwinner is a fast-paced, fun, quick read that you wont want to put it down. Impeccably edited, this book will leave you eagerly anticipating the next release in the trilogy.
Click here for The Bookie Monster's entire review
The Breadwinner begins post outbreak, bringing us into the remnants of a collapsed society. Samson, the main protagonist, is a lawyer and family man. His wife Moira, a petulant and demanding gold digger, portrays qualities that would land her the lead role in The Real Housewives of the Undead TV show (should anyone ever consider creating this of course). Samson is forced to defend and provide for his family against not only the undead, but the living.
Veronica, a teenage girl who survived in the city against all odds, is forced to grow up fast and defend herself as her world crumbles around her. Kopas does an exceptional job of giving readers a realistic and emotional journey through Veronica's eyes. While the story is told in real time, Kopas successfully conveys the events leading up to present time using memories and flash backs. Often times when I read a story laid out like this I find the space-time continuum gets jumbly and confusing. (Don't get me started on the space-time continuum, it really messes with my head, I'm just too analytical to not go crazy)
While clearly a zombie read, The Breadwinner's biggest achievement is its rich character development and the emotional ride in which readers embark upon. Veronica is a brilliant character and quickly becomes (at least for this reader) the most intriguing part of the story.
The Breadwinner is a fast-paced, fun, quick read that you wont want to put it down. Impeccably edited, this book will leave you eagerly anticipating the next release in the trilogy.
Click here for The Bookie Monster's entire review
January 18, 2016
"A daddy is the bread winner, you dig what I’m saying? And if he don’t win that bread, he just don’t come around."
-Darth Vader, Vader Sessions.
I like zombie novels which are about something. In general, I like anything which is about something rather than just rote repetition of tropes. One of the problems facing zombie novels nowadays is too many of them are basically just excuses for the undead to start chowing down. Even George Romero is somewhat guilty of this as his much vaunted social commentary is almost absent from Day of the Dead and the post-Land of the Dead volumes.
The Breadwinner, first novel in a trilogy, is about themes of responsibility and luxury in the Zombie Apocalypse. What does it mean to be the breadwinner? The one who has to provide for others? What does it mean to not be a breadwinner? One who lives off the efforts of another? These are some basic facts which author Stevie Kopas analyzes in this novel.
The book opens with the character of Samson, a former ultra-rich lawyer who hates his life with his trophy wife Moira and their two children. Samson has lost everything and yet feels compelled to remain the breadwinner.
Stevie Kopas creates an image of abject misery which has only been made marginally worse by the end of the world. A seemingly insane decision made by Samson earlier in the book was inexplicable, only to pay off later as we discover Samson is a much more nuanced character than he initially appears.
I initially thought Samson would be the main character for the entirety of the book so I was thrown when I discovered The Breadwinner is actually an anthology book chronicling the efforts of three separate groups of survivors.
All of them deal with either a protector-figure caring for others or the sudden loss of one after relying on them for their entire lives. The three stories converge in the end, becoming a singular narrative as yet another group of hardened zombie survivors is born.
While I liked The Breadwinner, the pacing felt a little off. The first fourth of the novel is spent around Samson with no hint we'll be switching so the transition is a bit abrupt. Some of the characters remain underdeveloped like Moira and Juliette, who never seem to go beyond being parasites on those around them. Still, I liked the character of Veronica and enjoyed her section most of all.
I do feel like the resolution to Samson's plotline was a missed opportunity as a very rich man with a shrewish wife dealing with the loss of their privileges was something I hadn't seen before in a zombie novel. I liked all of the other survivors, though, and enjoyed the the story. It's an easy read and worth the money.
7.5
-Darth Vader, Vader Sessions.
I like zombie novels which are about something. In general, I like anything which is about something rather than just rote repetition of tropes. One of the problems facing zombie novels nowadays is too many of them are basically just excuses for the undead to start chowing down. Even George Romero is somewhat guilty of this as his much vaunted social commentary is almost absent from Day of the Dead and the post-Land of the Dead volumes.
The Breadwinner, first novel in a trilogy, is about themes of responsibility and luxury in the Zombie Apocalypse. What does it mean to be the breadwinner? The one who has to provide for others? What does it mean to not be a breadwinner? One who lives off the efforts of another? These are some basic facts which author Stevie Kopas analyzes in this novel.
The book opens with the character of Samson, a former ultra-rich lawyer who hates his life with his trophy wife Moira and their two children. Samson has lost everything and yet feels compelled to remain the breadwinner.
Stevie Kopas creates an image of abject misery which has only been made marginally worse by the end of the world. A seemingly insane decision made by Samson earlier in the book was inexplicable, only to pay off later as we discover Samson is a much more nuanced character than he initially appears.
I initially thought Samson would be the main character for the entirety of the book so I was thrown when I discovered The Breadwinner is actually an anthology book chronicling the efforts of three separate groups of survivors.
All of them deal with either a protector-figure caring for others or the sudden loss of one after relying on them for their entire lives. The three stories converge in the end, becoming a singular narrative as yet another group of hardened zombie survivors is born.
While I liked The Breadwinner, the pacing felt a little off. The first fourth of the novel is spent around Samson with no hint we'll be switching so the transition is a bit abrupt. Some of the characters remain underdeveloped like Moira and Juliette, who never seem to go beyond being parasites on those around them. Still, I liked the character of Veronica and enjoyed her section most of all.
I do feel like the resolution to Samson's plotline was a missed opportunity as a very rich man with a shrewish wife dealing with the loss of their privileges was something I hadn't seen before in a zombie novel. I liked all of the other survivors, though, and enjoyed the the story. It's an easy read and worth the money.
7.5
March 19, 2015
3.5 of 5 Stars Review copy
I really wanted to like The Breadwinner (The Breadwinner Trilogy Book 1) much more than I did. After all, it's zombie lit. From a technical standpoint, it's well-written, the characters are OK and diverse, the story is well mapped out and it sets the stage nicely for book 2 in the series.
All that said, The Breadwinner, just seems overly familiar. It's a typical zombie scenario with no explanation as to what started it all and from there it's the same formula we've seen in dozens of other zombie books. Even the cover, although eye-catching, is reminiscent of the opening credits of The Walking Dead.
If you can get beyond the sameness, there is an enjoyable story here. Author, Stevie Kopas, shows a great deal of potential. If I hadn't read so many zombie tales over the years, I probably would have liked this much more.
The Breadwinner starts with attorney, Samson Eckhart, exiting the courtroom after having his case continued due to strange events occurring outside the building and around the region. I do like how the author gets to the action right from the start, problem was it was all stuff we've read and seen before. I would like to compliment Kopas for her grip on the times we live in. Her take on the effect of the collapse of social media for one of the younger survivors was dead on.
In many ways, The Breadwinner Trilogy is already a major success for Stevie Kopas, as she's seen her work go from being self-published to being published by Permuted Press. Book 1 is available now, as an ebook, from the major online retailers.
A must read for zombie fans and I am hoping for something more in book 2, Haven, coming soon.
I really wanted to like The Breadwinner (The Breadwinner Trilogy Book 1) much more than I did. After all, it's zombie lit. From a technical standpoint, it's well-written, the characters are OK and diverse, the story is well mapped out and it sets the stage nicely for book 2 in the series.
All that said, The Breadwinner, just seems overly familiar. It's a typical zombie scenario with no explanation as to what started it all and from there it's the same formula we've seen in dozens of other zombie books. Even the cover, although eye-catching, is reminiscent of the opening credits of The Walking Dead.
If you can get beyond the sameness, there is an enjoyable story here. Author, Stevie Kopas, shows a great deal of potential. If I hadn't read so many zombie tales over the years, I probably would have liked this much more.
The Breadwinner starts with attorney, Samson Eckhart, exiting the courtroom after having his case continued due to strange events occurring outside the building and around the region. I do like how the author gets to the action right from the start, problem was it was all stuff we've read and seen before. I would like to compliment Kopas for her grip on the times we live in. Her take on the effect of the collapse of social media for one of the younger survivors was dead on.
In many ways, The Breadwinner Trilogy is already a major success for Stevie Kopas, as she's seen her work go from being self-published to being published by Permuted Press. Book 1 is available now, as an ebook, from the major online retailers.
A must read for zombie fans and I am hoping for something more in book 2, Haven, coming soon.
August 21, 2014
The Breadwinner
If you’re looking for a Smash and Dash page-turner, The Breadwinner is for you!
Stevie Kopas doesn’t waste any time in her debut novel, opening up with some pulpy deliciousness right off the bat (pun intended).
The Breadwinner begins in Franklin Woods, an upscale community in Columbia Beach, Florida, and the reader is introduced to Samson Eckhart the III, criminal defense attorney turned survivalist; the reader quickly discovers that Samson has traded in his power suits and Gucci shoes for daily scrounging and plundering, trying to provide for his family after a recent zombie apocalypse.
Throughout the early stages of this novel, the reader begins to quickly identify with not only Samson’s transparent external conflicts, but also with his internal demons, too. Some might think Samson as a leading character, primarily due to his criminal defense attorney background, is too cliché, but let me assure you he is not. Ms. Kopas surprises the reader with a very likable and genuine paternal character, the type one empathizes with and roots for throughout the entire journey.
Another lead character one will readily identify with and connect to is Veronica—a strong-willed teenager who has lost just about all one can lose, and yet still has managed to defy the odds to survive. And eventually the inclusion of Ben, Andrew, and Clyde, all unique and colorful in their own ways, blends seamlessly into this unlikely troupe of survivors, a group who will have to learn to depend on one other if they are to make it “out West.”
For the zombie enthusiast, Stevie Kopas solidly describes her undead with a strong variety of verb usage and action words, mixing traditionally slow zombies with “fresh” fast ones. Consequently, I applaud Ms. Kopas on reminding the reader throughout her novel that humans are still the most dangerous creatures on the planet.
Since this is the first book in The Breadwinner Trilogy, readers will be satisfied just enough with the ending. The reason why I say “just enough” is because you will want more; hence, Kopas delicately infuses a serialized hook into the reader’s chest, a hook that can’t be discharged until one begins reading Haven, Book 2 of The Breadwinner Trilogy.
Bottom line, if you’re looking for “in your face” zombie violence with non-stop biter conflict, this is your perfect read.
If you’re looking for a Smash and Dash page-turner, The Breadwinner is for you!
Stevie Kopas doesn’t waste any time in her debut novel, opening up with some pulpy deliciousness right off the bat (pun intended).
The Breadwinner begins in Franklin Woods, an upscale community in Columbia Beach, Florida, and the reader is introduced to Samson Eckhart the III, criminal defense attorney turned survivalist; the reader quickly discovers that Samson has traded in his power suits and Gucci shoes for daily scrounging and plundering, trying to provide for his family after a recent zombie apocalypse.
Throughout the early stages of this novel, the reader begins to quickly identify with not only Samson’s transparent external conflicts, but also with his internal demons, too. Some might think Samson as a leading character, primarily due to his criminal defense attorney background, is too cliché, but let me assure you he is not. Ms. Kopas surprises the reader with a very likable and genuine paternal character, the type one empathizes with and roots for throughout the entire journey.
Another lead character one will readily identify with and connect to is Veronica—a strong-willed teenager who has lost just about all one can lose, and yet still has managed to defy the odds to survive. And eventually the inclusion of Ben, Andrew, and Clyde, all unique and colorful in their own ways, blends seamlessly into this unlikely troupe of survivors, a group who will have to learn to depend on one other if they are to make it “out West.”
For the zombie enthusiast, Stevie Kopas solidly describes her undead with a strong variety of verb usage and action words, mixing traditionally slow zombies with “fresh” fast ones. Consequently, I applaud Ms. Kopas on reminding the reader throughout her novel that humans are still the most dangerous creatures on the planet.
Since this is the first book in The Breadwinner Trilogy, readers will be satisfied just enough with the ending. The reason why I say “just enough” is because you will want more; hence, Kopas delicately infuses a serialized hook into the reader’s chest, a hook that can’t be discharged until one begins reading Haven, Book 2 of The Breadwinner Trilogy.
Bottom line, if you’re looking for “in your face” zombie violence with non-stop biter conflict, this is your perfect read.
March 9, 2014
I was given this book for an honest review.
I'm not sure what to say but that I really enjoyed this book, a lot! Its your typically zombie book. No one is safe from their bite and survival is key.
But the way it was written and the characters were amazing. You felt their despair and their loss. The zombies might not be that fast or that smart but you could feel how frighten each and every character felt.
I thought the different POV's were great and how everything came back around to how the book started.
They all have their own story and how they got to where they are but in the end they are fighting for their lives.
I was really happy to see that this is a trilogy. I really want to know what happens to all of them. Do they survive? Will human kind defeat the dead? How can they rebuild after all the tragedy?
cant wait to find out!!!
see this review and more on upallnightreviews.blogspot.com
I'm not sure what to say but that I really enjoyed this book, a lot! Its your typically zombie book. No one is safe from their bite and survival is key.
But the way it was written and the characters were amazing. You felt their despair and their loss. The zombies might not be that fast or that smart but you could feel how frighten each and every character felt.
I thought the different POV's were great and how everything came back around to how the book started.
They all have their own story and how they got to where they are but in the end they are fighting for their lives.
I was really happy to see that this is a trilogy. I really want to know what happens to all of them. Do they survive? Will human kind defeat the dead? How can they rebuild after all the tragedy?
cant wait to find out!!!
see this review and more on upallnightreviews.blogspot.com
February 25, 2014
I loved this zombie novella. The way it was split into three parts with each part telling our characters back history. The zombie apocalypse is well and truly here and I like that there are both fast and slow zombies. That always makes for good reading.
My favourite character in the book has to be hands down Veronica but I like Ben as well. The craziest person had to be Samson's wife. I could hardly believe the way she is. I mean stilleto heels? It made me laugh though.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book.
My favourite character in the book has to be hands down Veronica but I like Ben as well. The craziest person had to be Samson's wife. I could hardly believe the way she is. I mean stilleto heels? It made me laugh though.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book.
December 17, 2021
Post-apocalyptic Northwest Florida where the dead walk and they are hungry. We have our group of survivors just trying to make it through another day without being turned. I love our survivors. They are well written and developed. You quickly become attached to them. When it comes to the point our survivors have to face who they truly are now in this world it will make you cry. You will face people losing their humanity. Recommend adding this one to your undead reading list.
September 18, 2013
Fantastic book that keeps you enthralled throughout! I finished it in one night because I just couldn't put it down. The characters are well done and you can easily fall into a love/hate relationship with them. The scenarios the characters are put into are believable and give you food for thought. If put into situation "X" what would I do? I am anxiously awaiting the 2nd book of this trilogy!
January 26, 2017
Loved this book! Love this author!
January 6, 2014
Reviewed by Sarah Kruz, a FAN of A SIMPLE TASTE FOR READING.
http://simpletasteforreading.wordpres...
Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
The residents of Florida have found that the world has turned to Hell and only the strong can survive. The role you once played in society no longer applies here and neither do the rules. The bonds of family and friendship can turn up in the most unlikely of places and be taken from you just as quickly. And the dead roam wild and free.
The Breadwinner, the first book in Stevie Kopas’ post-apocalyptic trilogy, gives us a glimpse into the lives of normal people in a not-so-normal world. A violent infection has broken out, turning the sick into “eaters” that devour the flesh of living, thus spreading the infection. The main characters find themselves moving farther and farther from who they were in their previous lives to come together as a group in this new life. Samson Eckhart, a wealthy, high class lawyer, begins to realize that the trivial things he and his wife valued so much really have very little meaning. He tries to hold on to what normal used to be while creating a new normal for his family and his disillusioned wife, who are living in the gated community of Franklin Woods. Veronica, a 16-year-old high school track star, finds that she has more strength in the face of disaster than she thought possible. She is a pillar of bravery for her father and older brother and an unlikely friend for 25-year-old Ben, a veteran who now resides in a restaurant. And Andrew, a police officer in Franklin Woods, must find a way to balance his relationship with his unstable girlfriend and his brother, all while making sure they aren’t eaten alive. The group begins the story as total strangers, but soon learn that their chances of survival increase as they work together, even if the group as a whole doesn’t always see eye to eye. With one common goal, make it out alive, they try to come up with a plan that will get them to the coast and away from the monsters they have been avoiding.
While zombie apocalypse novels seem to be everywhere these days, The Breadwinner really intrigued me because I enjoyed the characters so much. Kopas creates a nice variety of people that balance each other well and each offer their own uniqueness to the story. She does a wonderful job of not only shaping the lives of the characters, but also allowing us to see how the apocalypse has affected the individuals emotionally and mentally. I enjoyed seeing the world through the eyes of such a variety of people. I also enjoyed how each character brought a different type of strength to the group. Kopas avoided the all-too-cliche apocalypse “badass” character, who seem to naturally know what to do in such an event, and instead created characters that learn to survive because of their individual strengths and willingness to overcome disaster. I’m very anxious to see what will happen to the group when the second book is released!
http://simpletasteforreading.wordpres...
Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
The residents of Florida have found that the world has turned to Hell and only the strong can survive. The role you once played in society no longer applies here and neither do the rules. The bonds of family and friendship can turn up in the most unlikely of places and be taken from you just as quickly. And the dead roam wild and free.
The Breadwinner, the first book in Stevie Kopas’ post-apocalyptic trilogy, gives us a glimpse into the lives of normal people in a not-so-normal world. A violent infection has broken out, turning the sick into “eaters” that devour the flesh of living, thus spreading the infection. The main characters find themselves moving farther and farther from who they were in their previous lives to come together as a group in this new life. Samson Eckhart, a wealthy, high class lawyer, begins to realize that the trivial things he and his wife valued so much really have very little meaning. He tries to hold on to what normal used to be while creating a new normal for his family and his disillusioned wife, who are living in the gated community of Franklin Woods. Veronica, a 16-year-old high school track star, finds that she has more strength in the face of disaster than she thought possible. She is a pillar of bravery for her father and older brother and an unlikely friend for 25-year-old Ben, a veteran who now resides in a restaurant. And Andrew, a police officer in Franklin Woods, must find a way to balance his relationship with his unstable girlfriend and his brother, all while making sure they aren’t eaten alive. The group begins the story as total strangers, but soon learn that their chances of survival increase as they work together, even if the group as a whole doesn’t always see eye to eye. With one common goal, make it out alive, they try to come up with a plan that will get them to the coast and away from the monsters they have been avoiding.
While zombie apocalypse novels seem to be everywhere these days, The Breadwinner really intrigued me because I enjoyed the characters so much. Kopas creates a nice variety of people that balance each other well and each offer their own uniqueness to the story. She does a wonderful job of not only shaping the lives of the characters, but also allowing us to see how the apocalypse has affected the individuals emotionally and mentally. I enjoyed seeing the world through the eyes of such a variety of people. I also enjoyed how each character brought a different type of strength to the group. Kopas avoided the all-too-cliche apocalypse “badass” character, who seem to naturally know what to do in such an event, and instead created characters that learn to survive because of their individual strengths and willingness to overcome disaster. I’m very anxious to see what will happen to the group when the second book is released!
August 27, 2015
So I'm sitting here reading a perfectly serviceable modern zombie novel. A couple of survivors with a give-'em-Hell attitude and tales of woe battle the gruesome undead while trapped in an urban hellscape after the collapse of woefully inadequate emergency services - you know the score. Not brilliant, not terrible, just your standard "Walking Dead" clone that maybe you give three stars if you remember it long enough afterward to review it.
Then in walks Moira Eckhart.
Moira is an ingenious creation, I dare say one of the greatest and most mortifying characters in modern horror. She's clearly a villain and yet...there's no moustache-twirling to her. She's just adamant in refusing to bend to the new reality of a zombie apocalypse. Her attitude is that the world will simply have to adapt to suit her lifestyle and not the reverse.
It's such a brilliant, original, cuttingly satirical take on modern American culture that I can hardly believe it's never been done before. Most zombie stories - hell, most stories, period - make their hay out of how the characters change in the wake of dire straits - with their true faces laid bare, are they really a hero, really a villain, or really just a pragmatist? Moira eschews that entire journey by refusing to ever take off her mask.
Her children are trophies. Her husband - the titular breadwinner - is a trophy. She's even aware to some extent that she's a trophy. And while the reasonable characters are off hunting and scrabbling for a can of beans to survive the night, Moira refuses to cede one centimeter of her opulent lifestyle to reality. It's such a perverse notion, such an American notion - the sting of Kopas's satire cuts deep. I think most of us imagine we'll be Gary Cooper when the end of the world comes, but his glory days have long since dwindled into twilight. We're a culture steeped in the Kardashian ethos now.
Perhaps THE BREADWINNER is a metaphor. Moira represents the cult of celebrity, husband and breadwinner Samson is the American public who indulge such navel-gazing, and in the end it's only the children who suffer. Then again, maybe it's just a gleefully dark and twisted tale of a uniquely American suburban nightmare. Either way, it's definitely worth your time and money. 5 stars.
Then in walks Moira Eckhart.
Moira is an ingenious creation, I dare say one of the greatest and most mortifying characters in modern horror. She's clearly a villain and yet...there's no moustache-twirling to her. She's just adamant in refusing to bend to the new reality of a zombie apocalypse. Her attitude is that the world will simply have to adapt to suit her lifestyle and not the reverse.
It's such a brilliant, original, cuttingly satirical take on modern American culture that I can hardly believe it's never been done before. Most zombie stories - hell, most stories, period - make their hay out of how the characters change in the wake of dire straits - with their true faces laid bare, are they really a hero, really a villain, or really just a pragmatist? Moira eschews that entire journey by refusing to ever take off her mask.
Her children are trophies. Her husband - the titular breadwinner - is a trophy. She's even aware to some extent that she's a trophy. And while the reasonable characters are off hunting and scrabbling for a can of beans to survive the night, Moira refuses to cede one centimeter of her opulent lifestyle to reality. It's such a perverse notion, such an American notion - the sting of Kopas's satire cuts deep. I think most of us imagine we'll be Gary Cooper when the end of the world comes, but his glory days have long since dwindled into twilight. We're a culture steeped in the Kardashian ethos now.
Perhaps THE BREADWINNER is a metaphor. Moira represents the cult of celebrity, husband and breadwinner Samson is the American public who indulge such navel-gazing, and in the end it's only the children who suffer. Then again, maybe it's just a gleefully dark and twisted tale of a uniquely American suburban nightmare. Either way, it's definitely worth your time and money. 5 stars.
March 27, 2015
ABR's full The Breadwinner audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.
This is the debut audiobook from a new author Stevie Kopas. I am sure that this will be a welcomed addition to a very crowded genre. As the story is primarily told from the females perspective, not only that but one that is not a survival expert or prepper.
Best part of this particular zombie apocalypse is the fast zombies or eaters as they are often referred to here. I remember the first time I encountered them in 28 Day Later, since then they have always held a very special place in my heart.
There were zombie attack scenes that made me squirm a bit. Kopas was able to inject each of them with just the right amount of terror and gore. The characters grew and evolved right before your eyes. I just couldn’t find a connection to any of them.
While to storyline was solid, I found it difficult to pay attention due to the narration and for this book, maybe the print version would have been much better. There were times that I got confused about whether the story was happening now or then, due to the amount of flashbacks and flash forwards.
This was my first time listening to a performance by Scott Birney. Unfortunately, I will have to think long and hard before choosing another by him. I found his voice pleasant overall, deep and resonating, he speaks clearly and concisely.
Firstly I think he was the wrong choice to narrate a book that is primarily from the female perspective. His strong and deep voice just didn’t fit. Then his pacing was perfectly steady, I find it much more of a pleasant listen when there is a fluctuation of the speed of the reading. Then he sounded almost completely emotionless throughout. The “from the author” at the very end of the book was one of the only points to where Birney added some sort of emotional fluctuation.
Audiobook provided for review by a friend of the author.
This is the debut audiobook from a new author Stevie Kopas. I am sure that this will be a welcomed addition to a very crowded genre. As the story is primarily told from the females perspective, not only that but one that is not a survival expert or prepper.
Best part of this particular zombie apocalypse is the fast zombies or eaters as they are often referred to here. I remember the first time I encountered them in 28 Day Later, since then they have always held a very special place in my heart.
There were zombie attack scenes that made me squirm a bit. Kopas was able to inject each of them with just the right amount of terror and gore. The characters grew and evolved right before your eyes. I just couldn’t find a connection to any of them.
While to storyline was solid, I found it difficult to pay attention due to the narration and for this book, maybe the print version would have been much better. There were times that I got confused about whether the story was happening now or then, due to the amount of flashbacks and flash forwards.
This was my first time listening to a performance by Scott Birney. Unfortunately, I will have to think long and hard before choosing another by him. I found his voice pleasant overall, deep and resonating, he speaks clearly and concisely.
Firstly I think he was the wrong choice to narrate a book that is primarily from the female perspective. His strong and deep voice just didn’t fit. Then his pacing was perfectly steady, I find it much more of a pleasant listen when there is a fluctuation of the speed of the reading. Then he sounded almost completely emotionless throughout. The “from the author” at the very end of the book was one of the only points to where Birney added some sort of emotional fluctuation.
Audiobook provided for review by a friend of the author.
February 15, 2014
It’s actually refreshing to know, that a zombie novel doesn’t have to be a gore-fest. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of traditional zombie-halting head shots in The Breadwinner, but they are done without going overboard. The fact that Kopas has taken the time to craft a well-developed story, means that the ‘shock and gore’ factor is not necessary, or indeed missed.
It also helps that Kopas’ two main protagonists are both immediately likeable. Samson pre-apocalypse was a defence lawyer - it’s fortunate that the reader doesn’t really meet him in that guise. However, when we do meet him he’s used to the devastation of post-apocalypse Franklin Woods, almost accepting of the ending of the world and a totally different person. This is how life is now. So get on with it. Veronica. seems just as likeable, but noticeably less changed by the ongoing events. She is just the same pragmatic girl she’s always been, ready to accept any challenge that comes her way, even after some difficult losses.
The story, although not hugely original, does more than most Zombie fare ever threatens to do. Little things, like the fact that the ‘fresh’ zombies can move quickly, the long dead move at an amble, mean that Kopas can easily bend each ‘attack scene’ to her will. The emotions Kopas unearths frequently flick from horror, to amusement, to sadness. I found myself totally immersed in the tale, from start to finish, and that is testament to Kopas’ ability to keep the story moving and the reader interested at all times.
Is there anything I’d change? Well, I’d have preferred the story to run chronologically if truth be told. I don’t mind the token flashback, but I’m not a fan of a story jumping around too often. Otherwise I’m happy to say, I thoroughly recommend The Breadwinner to anyone with a love of the dead men walking genre. In fact, the story is a great one, whichever your preferred genre.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, Haven: Book 2 in The Breadwinner trilogy was released today…
**** 4 Stars
It also helps that Kopas’ two main protagonists are both immediately likeable. Samson pre-apocalypse was a defence lawyer - it’s fortunate that the reader doesn’t really meet him in that guise. However, when we do meet him he’s used to the devastation of post-apocalypse Franklin Woods, almost accepting of the ending of the world and a totally different person. This is how life is now. So get on with it. Veronica. seems just as likeable, but noticeably less changed by the ongoing events. She is just the same pragmatic girl she’s always been, ready to accept any challenge that comes her way, even after some difficult losses.
The story, although not hugely original, does more than most Zombie fare ever threatens to do. Little things, like the fact that the ‘fresh’ zombies can move quickly, the long dead move at an amble, mean that Kopas can easily bend each ‘attack scene’ to her will. The emotions Kopas unearths frequently flick from horror, to amusement, to sadness. I found myself totally immersed in the tale, from start to finish, and that is testament to Kopas’ ability to keep the story moving and the reader interested at all times.
Is there anything I’d change? Well, I’d have preferred the story to run chronologically if truth be told. I don’t mind the token flashback, but I’m not a fan of a story jumping around too often. Otherwise I’m happy to say, I thoroughly recommend The Breadwinner to anyone with a love of the dead men walking genre. In fact, the story is a great one, whichever your preferred genre.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, Haven: Book 2 in The Breadwinner trilogy was released today…
**** 4 Stars
July 23, 2016
This novella length book is the first in a post-apocalyptic trilogy, and is a good start to what promises to be an interesting series. Some readers may think that at 139 pages it couldn’t possibly set the scene for a gripping trilogy, and those readers would be wrong.
This type of post-apocalyptic themed novel seems to be all around us at the moment, but in this debut novel I found something I hadn’t come across before, a complete storyline and some very relatable characters. The main protagonist is a strong man faced with unenviable choices and following a course of actions he may have thought himself incapable of before the collapse of the world he knows. Through a skilful use of writing and rich development of the characters, this Author is able to give this books readers a thoroughly emotionally charged and realistic journey through their trials and tribulations.
The situations the Author places her characters in are well described and thought through to the point the reader is made to think and examine the way they would react in the same circumstances, and as I have said in previous reviews I do like a book that makes me think.
Although I am not a big fan of zombie novels, I am looking forward to reading the remainder of this trilogy and would, therefore recommend it to anyone who enjoys this genre of book or is an avid viewer of The Walking Dead.
Originally reviewed on: http://catesbooknuthut.com/2014/01/07...
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
This type of post-apocalyptic themed novel seems to be all around us at the moment, but in this debut novel I found something I hadn’t come across before, a complete storyline and some very relatable characters. The main protagonist is a strong man faced with unenviable choices and following a course of actions he may have thought himself incapable of before the collapse of the world he knows. Through a skilful use of writing and rich development of the characters, this Author is able to give this books readers a thoroughly emotionally charged and realistic journey through their trials and tribulations.
The situations the Author places her characters in are well described and thought through to the point the reader is made to think and examine the way they would react in the same circumstances, and as I have said in previous reviews I do like a book that makes me think.
Although I am not a big fan of zombie novels, I am looking forward to reading the remainder of this trilogy and would, therefore recommend it to anyone who enjoys this genre of book or is an avid viewer of The Walking Dead.
Originally reviewed on: http://catesbooknuthut.com/2014/01/07...
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
December 11, 2013
I received a copy of this book for honest review. 'The Breadwinner' is a zombie apocalypse tale focusing on the stories of three main characters from very different backgrounds.
This story is novella length and split over three parts. This worked really well, making for a gripping read from start to finish as the three character's stories are told. This is a fast-paced book with plenty of suspense, some well twisted shocks and interesting characters in every part. As fun as some of the more unusual characters were, I liked Veronica the most and would want to read more just to find out what she does next! I was rooting for her as soon as she showed up.
The story is only just beginning in this book. I wasn't really sure where the plot was heading with this one but I liked where it ended up. The zombie attacks keep the tension high but the true horror comes from the things these survivors have to do to keep themselves alive and protect those they care most about.
Overall this is an excellent first part to a zombie apocalypse trilogy with well written characters and some truly shocking and horrifying moments. Recommended for fans of horror/zombies/apocalyptic fiction.
This story is novella length and split over three parts. This worked really well, making for a gripping read from start to finish as the three character's stories are told. This is a fast-paced book with plenty of suspense, some well twisted shocks and interesting characters in every part. As fun as some of the more unusual characters were, I liked Veronica the most and would want to read more just to find out what she does next! I was rooting for her as soon as she showed up.
The story is only just beginning in this book. I wasn't really sure where the plot was heading with this one but I liked where it ended up. The zombie attacks keep the tension high but the true horror comes from the things these survivors have to do to keep themselves alive and protect those they care most about.
Overall this is an excellent first part to a zombie apocalypse trilogy with well written characters and some truly shocking and horrifying moments. Recommended for fans of horror/zombies/apocalyptic fiction.
February 26, 2014
Samson is a rich, successful attorney with a beautiful trophy wife and two amazing kids living in the posh neighborhood of Franklin Woods. He has everything money can buy, everything except for a way to end the zombie apocalypse that has complicated life in his gated community. Now he’s gone from being the family’s breadwinner to being a looter who has to deal with his wife’s deepening insanity and two kids who have...well I don’t want to spoil anything. In true post-apocalyptic style, Samson runs across other survivors and does what he can for his damaged family, a precarious balance which can only be maintained for so long. Drama, death and well-placed headshots abound in this exciting novel by Stevie Kopas (how cool is that? A chick zombie author!) which is apparently going to be a trilogy, a fact which will only be reconciled when I get the review copies for parts 2 and 3. If you like zombie fiction, The Breadwinner trilogy will become a treasured part of your collection, after you shamble out and buy it of course. And trust me, the splatteriffic cover art is not misleading. –Jim Dodge, Mass Movement Magazine (http://massmovement.co.uk)
September 18, 2013
Very well done zombie novel. I was never bored. The author made me love certain characters and loathe others. I can't wait for the second and third books of this series. Lets just say a female author in the apocalypse genre is impressive and brilliant. Great overall underlying message in the book as well. All I can say is I recommend to everyone. Easy to read, easy to get into, hard to put down.
October 8, 2013
For the first book from this author (who is female writing about zombies) this was excellent. I hate overdone, drawn out sub genres but this was fast, to the point, cut and dry, made me feel things and now I am ticked that I have to wait for the next one! Only thing I would say is that the book should have/could have been longer.
October 9, 2013
This book is a great read! The story was written very well and keeps you guessing what's going to happen next! You won't want to put it down! If you are a Walking Dead fan, it's a great book to read while you're waiting on the next episode and it's just as good!! I plan on spreading the word about this awesome book to everyone!
January 11, 2014
All I'm gonna say is this.
There is nothing in this world as epic as paying $5 for a book that after reading it, you would have gladly paid six times the original price. If you're looking for a great read, with good flow, excellent writing, fantastic character development, and of course zombies zombies zombies, then this is the book for you.
So good.
So good.
There is nothing in this world as epic as paying $5 for a book that after reading it, you would have gladly paid six times the original price. If you're looking for a great read, with good flow, excellent writing, fantastic character development, and of course zombies zombies zombies, then this is the book for you.
So good.
So good.
December 15, 2013
I'm not a big fan of zombie stories, but the human characters are well-developed and interesting enough to make me want read this story and see what happens in the next book.
January 10, 2014
Stevie Kopas writes about human trauma like she was victim herself. Post apocalyptic setting aside, she brings the pains of humanity in an inhumane word. read her magic!!
April 12, 2015
Review to come.
March 27, 2018
Based on an author's (or narrator's?) post in a Goodreads group, I tried out the sample available of this book on Audible, liked what I heard, and threw caution to the wind and bought it. It is an interesting slant on the ground AMC trod this summer with Fear the Walking Dead: the very beginning of a zombie apocalypse, as people are still standing and watching creatures who used to be friends and family shambling closer and closer, wondering why cousin Jimmy is so pale, and why is he growling … The Undead in this universe were fast and loud and persistent, and I liked that.
Unfortunately, that's about all I liked.
I didn't much care for any of the characters. One main character, the lawyer Sampson, fluctuates between Slimy Lawyer and Put Upon Nice Guy, to the point that I was uncomfortable when another main character who was a teenaged girl met up with him; I kept expecting the scumbag to re-emerge. I will say all the characters were something more than cardboard … it's just that what they were instead was inconsistent and, unfortunately, ultimately unlikeable. Also, not entirely believable: the level of bickering in the middle of a world-ending crisis might, sadly, have been realistic, but it was incredibly annoying to read - - and, also, I find it hard to believe that, coming upon a CVS that had gone unlooted (which is highly improbable, security gate or no security gate), our heroes not only stock up on water and power bars and lighter fluid but … deodorants. And then a while later use up most if not all of that incredibly valuable lighter fluid on something really stupid for which they could have used any number of other accelerants.
I'll come back to the characters.
The narration had some high highs and low lows. The voice of the narrator and those used for male character voices were mostly fine, though it was a little interesting that two of the three black men in the cast of characters were pretty much identical. The women, though … *shudder* In the book, the women, excepting teenaged heroine Veronica, are at best worthless, at worst "batshit crazy" and overall really horrendous. In the narration, they're the epitome of cliché gay caricature voice – terrible.
The language periodically made me twitch: "the people her and her brother had stumbled upon", for example. And the constant use of "lie" as the past tense for … "lie". I thought it was "lied", which made me see faintly red, but I checked Google Books: nope. Bodies lie about, little islands of present tense in the midst of a past tense book. (Along with "squat" as the past tense for "squat".) A few actions like a man placing a bag on his back are described with such gravity and emphasis that they should be significant. (They aren't.) And things like "Ben shared a laugh with himself", or someone's "happy hands"…? No.
Another bit I didn't much like was what seems to be a nastily right-wing stance (referring to the uber-bitch Juliette as a spoiled liberal – which, no).
Going back to that CVS: First of all, CVS in Florida carries booze? Huh. Anyway. The store was described as having no other door than the front entrance. I find it hard to believe there's any public building without a back door, for trash removal and to comply with fire codes if nothing else. Where do they get deliveries?
The car name-dropping gets old; I'm not sure why we need to know exactly what make and model everyone drives, except to make occasional points about some characters' wealth (or former wealth) and so on.
The cuts in the narrative are sometimes abrupt and confusing – going from talking about Sampson and Moira to a new chapter (hard to distinguish in an audiobook) and "they all" in the first sentence – but here "they" refers to Abe and company; later, a shift in the other direction, from Abe & co to Sampson.
One thing I have to give some credit to the author for: the tale of what happened to Al. It was, at first, nicely handled – by which I mean the story was withheld and and evaded for quite a while, which I at first found irritating but came to appreciate as – at first – a nice bit of storytelling, good suspense-building. However, it stretched out too long, to the point that when some () of the details finally came out I had already pretty much figured out what happened and didn't need to be told. There were a few near misses like that in the storytelling – and inconsistencies, such as Veronica telling the story of how her father was attacked – but not as the father told it. She was not there; she has only what her father related to her. Where did the new details in her version come from?
I wanted to continue liking the book. I would have loved to like it more than the afore-mentioned "Fear the Walking Dead", about which I was kind of lukewarm. But "Breadwinner" didn't suffer from comparison – it just suffered from its execution. This wasn't the first time I've had cause to bless Audible's return policy … I wish it would be the last.
Unfortunately, that's about all I liked.
I didn't much care for any of the characters. One main character, the lawyer Sampson, fluctuates between Slimy Lawyer and Put Upon Nice Guy, to the point that I was uncomfortable when another main character who was a teenaged girl met up with him; I kept expecting the scumbag to re-emerge. I will say all the characters were something more than cardboard … it's just that what they were instead was inconsistent and, unfortunately, ultimately unlikeable. Also, not entirely believable: the level of bickering in the middle of a world-ending crisis might, sadly, have been realistic, but it was incredibly annoying to read - - and, also, I find it hard to believe that, coming upon a CVS that had gone unlooted (which is highly improbable, security gate or no security gate), our heroes not only stock up on water and power bars and lighter fluid but … deodorants. And then a while later use up most if not all of that incredibly valuable lighter fluid on something really stupid for which they could have used any number of other accelerants.
I'll come back to the characters.
The narration had some high highs and low lows. The voice of the narrator and those used for male character voices were mostly fine, though it was a little interesting that two of the three black men in the cast of characters were pretty much identical. The women, though … *shudder* In the book, the women, excepting teenaged heroine Veronica, are at best worthless, at worst "batshit crazy" and overall really horrendous. In the narration, they're the epitome of cliché gay caricature voice – terrible.
The language periodically made me twitch: "the people her and her brother had stumbled upon", for example. And the constant use of "lie" as the past tense for … "lie". I thought it was "lied", which made me see faintly red, but I checked Google Books: nope. Bodies lie about, little islands of present tense in the midst of a past tense book. (Along with "squat" as the past tense for "squat".) A few actions like a man placing a bag on his back are described with such gravity and emphasis that they should be significant. (They aren't.) And things like "Ben shared a laugh with himself", or someone's "happy hands"…? No.
Another bit I didn't much like was what seems to be a nastily right-wing stance (referring to the uber-bitch Juliette as a spoiled liberal – which, no).
Going back to that CVS: First of all, CVS in Florida carries booze? Huh. Anyway. The store was described as having no other door than the front entrance. I find it hard to believe there's any public building without a back door, for trash removal and to comply with fire codes if nothing else. Where do they get deliveries?
The car name-dropping gets old; I'm not sure why we need to know exactly what make and model everyone drives, except to make occasional points about some characters' wealth (or former wealth) and so on.
The cuts in the narrative are sometimes abrupt and confusing – going from talking about Sampson and Moira to a new chapter (hard to distinguish in an audiobook) and "they all" in the first sentence – but here "they" refers to Abe and company; later, a shift in the other direction, from Abe & co to Sampson.
One thing I have to give some credit to the author for: the tale of what happened to Al. It was, at first, nicely handled – by which I mean the story was withheld and and evaded for quite a while, which I at first found irritating but came to appreciate as – at first – a nice bit of storytelling, good suspense-building. However, it stretched out too long, to the point that when some () of the details finally came out I had already pretty much figured out what happened and didn't need to be told. There were a few near misses like that in the storytelling – and inconsistencies, such as Veronica telling the story of how her father was attacked – but not as the father told it. She was not there; she has only what her father related to her. Where did the new details in her version come from?
I wanted to continue liking the book. I would have loved to like it more than the afore-mentioned "Fear the Walking Dead", about which I was kind of lukewarm. But "Breadwinner" didn't suffer from comparison – it just suffered from its execution. This wasn't the first time I've had cause to bless Audible's return policy … I wish it would be the last.
March 16, 2017
2./5
It just falls flat for me and I don't have any feelings for the characters other than indifference.
I wasn't going to continue onto book 2, however I read a review on the final 3rd book and they expressed my same sentiment and that it ended up being worth reading the rest. So I'm going to try out the next book and see.
It just falls flat for me and I don't have any feelings for the characters other than indifference.
I wasn't going to continue onto book 2, however I read a review on the final 3rd book and they expressed my same sentiment and that it ended up being worth reading the rest. So I'm going to try out the next book and see.
January 5, 2017
So after reading this author's short story collection, I decided to check out if she had more zombie books. And she had! This series.
I immediately hunted for it, found it, and when it was time for my before-sleeping-reading-time I went ahead and read a bit. Normally I don't really want to read horror before sleeping, but I just couldn't wait until the next day.
We have 3 characters, Samson, Veronica, and Ben. Out of all of those I think I liked Ben the most. At first I wasn't sure what to think of him, but then he definitely won from Veronica. Samson was last. He was a good character, but a bit boring and bland. Like he got the spotlight but only until someone better comes along.
Two of these characters (Veronica and Samson) will tell us what happened with them during the initial outbreak and how they tried to make life in a hell hole of zombies. It was quite interesting, and I felt so so sad for both of them. They both lost a lot. They both had to go through so much. Of course, this is what happens in an apocalypse, people will lose loved ones, but you still hope that they will be luckily and keep their friends and family. Like with Andrew and Juliette (though I did not see one shred of chemistry between the two of them).
I loved how the stories connected in the end. How where we left Veronica and Samson with zombies connects with Ben. It was such an amazing moment when that happened. Like everything just clicked together. So this is why that happened. So this is what happens afterwards.
I have to say that while I liked to see Ben's journey to find Veronica, I didn't like Juliette in it. Yes, she has a mental illness, yes, she isn't doing well, but really? She kept bitching about everything, like she couldn't comprehend that things have changed. And really? What she did when they were outside? No. Just no. I get that she probably was breaking down, but she endangered everyone. I was amazed that she was allowed to come with the group.
The author did an amazing job on writing about the zombie apocalypse, I could just imagine myself there. She described every detail, from the smell to how the zombies acted.
There were however a few things that I didn't like and for that I will take 1 star.
1. There were several errors with sentences. Sentences just didn't make sense, I had to re-read them to check if I was reading it wrong, or if the author wrote it down wrong.
2. The changing POV. I don't mind multiple POVs, however, I do hate it when it is done wrong. When a character switches after 1 paragraph. Which happens a lot in this one. One moment we would be with Veronica, then Samson. Or Isaac > Veronica. Or Ben > anyone else. It just got a bit annoying, I would still be with x character, and suddenly we would be with y.
3. While I now can see why we get Ben's POV, it still grated on me as I was thinking we would finally get Veronica and Samson's. It also took me a while to see that this was set in present day, and not, as with Veronica, taking place around the time the outbreak started.
But all in all, this was a wonderful read, quite short, but I didn't mind as it was perfect that way, and I would recommend it to everyone looking for a zombie book.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I immediately hunted for it, found it, and when it was time for my before-sleeping-reading-time I went ahead and read a bit. Normally I don't really want to read horror before sleeping, but I just couldn't wait until the next day.
We have 3 characters, Samson, Veronica, and Ben. Out of all of those I think I liked Ben the most. At first I wasn't sure what to think of him, but then he definitely won from Veronica. Samson was last. He was a good character, but a bit boring and bland. Like he got the spotlight but only until someone better comes along.
Two of these characters (Veronica and Samson) will tell us what happened with them during the initial outbreak and how they tried to make life in a hell hole of zombies. It was quite interesting, and I felt so so sad for both of them. They both lost a lot. They both had to go through so much. Of course, this is what happens in an apocalypse, people will lose loved ones, but you still hope that they will be luckily and keep their friends and family. Like with Andrew and Juliette (though I did not see one shred of chemistry between the two of them).
I loved how the stories connected in the end. How where we left Veronica and Samson with zombies connects with Ben. It was such an amazing moment when that happened. Like everything just clicked together. So this is why that happened. So this is what happens afterwards.
I have to say that while I liked to see Ben's journey to find Veronica, I didn't like Juliette in it. Yes, she has a mental illness, yes, she isn't doing well, but really? She kept bitching about everything, like she couldn't comprehend that things have changed. And really? What she did when they were outside? No. Just no. I get that she probably was breaking down, but she endangered everyone. I was amazed that she was allowed to come with the group.
The author did an amazing job on writing about the zombie apocalypse, I could just imagine myself there. She described every detail, from the smell to how the zombies acted.
There were however a few things that I didn't like and for that I will take 1 star.
1. There were several errors with sentences. Sentences just didn't make sense, I had to re-read them to check if I was reading it wrong, or if the author wrote it down wrong.
2. The changing POV. I don't mind multiple POVs, however, I do hate it when it is done wrong. When a character switches after 1 paragraph. Which happens a lot in this one. One moment we would be with Veronica, then Samson. Or Isaac > Veronica. Or Ben > anyone else. It just got a bit annoying, I would still be with x character, and suddenly we would be with y.
3. While I now can see why we get Ben's POV, it still grated on me as I was thinking we would finally get Veronica and Samson's. It also took me a while to see that this was set in present day, and not, as with Veronica, taking place around the time the outbreak started.
But all in all, this was a wonderful read, quite short, but I didn't mind as it was perfect that way, and I would recommend it to everyone looking for a zombie book.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
April 3, 2015
So, you all know that I’ve been really overrun with a lot of zombie, apocalyptic, dystopian type of book lately. This is one of the books I received prior to putting the brakes on zombie novels. I read a few none zombie based books prior to chewing into this one. I am glad I did. I was able to get right into this book and finish it within two nights.
It’s the same basic pretense of most zombie apocalyptic novels; groups of survivors continuing to survive. The groups come across both the undead trying to eat them and the living trying to rape, plunder and pilferage. The protagonist in this novel is Veronica, who made a snap decision to kill her father when he was bitten. This decision forever changed her view on the new world ahead of her. She’s a fast runner, athletic teenager who aged and matured many years on that quick decision she had to make.
The decision she makes, after the loss of her family, is to head to the Bay. Along her travels she meets Ben, who ends up being a life saver. By the end of the book, the troop of humans have separated and finally reconnected at the Bay. When they were separated, Veronica meets Samson, the name sake for the book. His story is a bit twisted; think American Horror Story – Zombie Apocalypse.
All in all, this was a fantastically written zombie trope. The author constructed the story line rather well. However, more importantly was the character development. I believe that’s the main reason I clung on for dear life until the end of the book.
My thoughts on the book: I am not sure why it was titled Breadwinner, when that aspect of the book was so small compared to Veronica and her storyline. I mean, I got where the title came in and how it played out. But it seemed so much more insignificant in regards to Ben & Veronica.
This has nothing to do with the author or the book, just a personal experience. I also had no idea it was a series of books. I was mildly irritated it ended the way it did. Once I found out, today even, that there was a book II, I actually did a little cheer. If it had ended this way, I would have been completely bummed out.
Fantastic book. Wonderful character connections and development. I will actually read book two!!
It’s the same basic pretense of most zombie apocalyptic novels; groups of survivors continuing to survive. The groups come across both the undead trying to eat them and the living trying to rape, plunder and pilferage. The protagonist in this novel is Veronica, who made a snap decision to kill her father when he was bitten. This decision forever changed her view on the new world ahead of her. She’s a fast runner, athletic teenager who aged and matured many years on that quick decision she had to make.
The decision she makes, after the loss of her family, is to head to the Bay. Along her travels she meets Ben, who ends up being a life saver. By the end of the book, the troop of humans have separated and finally reconnected at the Bay. When they were separated, Veronica meets Samson, the name sake for the book. His story is a bit twisted; think American Horror Story – Zombie Apocalypse.
All in all, this was a fantastically written zombie trope. The author constructed the story line rather well. However, more importantly was the character development. I believe that’s the main reason I clung on for dear life until the end of the book.
My thoughts on the book: I am not sure why it was titled Breadwinner, when that aspect of the book was so small compared to Veronica and her storyline. I mean, I got where the title came in and how it played out. But it seemed so much more insignificant in regards to Ben & Veronica.
This has nothing to do with the author or the book, just a personal experience. I also had no idea it was a series of books. I was mildly irritated it ended the way it did. Once I found out, today even, that there was a book II, I actually did a little cheer. If it had ended this way, I would have been completely bummed out.
Fantastic book. Wonderful character connections and development. I will actually read book two!!
July 16, 2014
Have you ever wondered if everyone you knew suddenly started getting "sick" how you would react? If the world around you suddenly went into panic mode because of this sickness, would you panic also? While everyone else seems to be eating each other, we meet a group of fighters. Sam was a lawyer before everyone went mad. He relied on his smooth talking to provide a lavish life for his wife and 2 children. Now, Sam has to become street smart or be eaten. Veronica was a normal high school girl who lived with her Dad and brother. Luckily, she was also on the track team which is a big advantage as she tries to stay alive. We watch as the world around them goes to hell. They both only know one thing to do.....survive. In a chance encounter, Sam and Veronica find each other and make a plan to get away from the area, hopefully to a place that is safe. Along the way, we meet Ben, Andrew, Clyde, and Jasmine. They all end up coming together to form the final group. A group that under normal circumstances would never have come together. The greatest question of all is who will survive and who will be eaten!
I really enjoyed reading this book. Even though it is a trilogy, I do believe it would also work as a stand alone without taking away from the story, which is refreshing because so many series leave on such a dramatic cliffhanger that you don't have much choice. I love that Stevie allows you to connect with the characters and decide for yourself if you want to find out what happens next.
I really enjoyed reading this book. Even though it is a trilogy, I do believe it would also work as a stand alone without taking away from the story, which is refreshing because so many series leave on such a dramatic cliffhanger that you don't have much choice. I love that Stevie allows you to connect with the characters and decide for yourself if you want to find out what happens next.
August 23, 2015
This review is probably the hardest I think I've had to write so far. The Breadwinner is amazing. The one thing that kinda threw me were all the characters. It was hard to keep it, but once you got to remembering who was who, you really get sucked in. I can't tell you how many times someone would try talking to me and I wouldn't hear a word they said, or I'd be so into reading I'd lose track of time. It was so action packed and full of drama, I thought I'd end up having a heart attack.
Can I just stop to say though... Moira and Juliette... UGH!!
There are really guys out there who put up with all their crap?
.......
That's right, good luck. Because if you come around me, I'ma kick you off the freakin building into a pile of runners.
To say they got on my nerves doesn't even cover it.
anywho!... This was a quick read. I absolutely loved how there was so drop off or anything. from page one to the very last page it keeps you on your toes wanting to know more and more.
If I could rate it more than 5 stars, I would.
August 13, 2014
Just when I thought I was going to get tired of the endless zombie stories, movies, and TV shows, Stevie Kopas comes along and shifts my perspective. "The Breadwinner" is the perfect read for any fan of Resident Evil (the games, not the movies), zombie stories, or any apocalypse setting. Ms. Kopas's tale is inhabited by real and believable characters that shine through with their actions and the way they interact with one another. The descriptions of the action was fantastic, and you actually CARE about the characters' plight as they meander their way through a world left to rot and die, and die again. The amazingly original spin on the classic zombie apocalypse will keep your eyes glued to your reading device, wanting you to read just another section. Highly recommend this book and I can't wait to start on the sequel, great job, Ms. Kopas!
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