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Afflicted #1
The Murder
The Murder will send chills down your spine and keep your eyes glued to every word!
Survive at all costs…
Once bitten, the infection consumes the body and severs our basic need for survival. The mind is reduced to nothing more than impulses directing us to do one thing… feed.
But what if we were able to fight the urge?
To meld with the infection in a way that we keep our humanity.
For Mike, he’s been infected with the virus but hasn’t turned. The bite wounds on his arms and legs have healed but the uneasy feeling of something foreign deep inside of him looms. Unsure of his fate, Mike must fight the horde of undead lurking around every corner and find the answers to his questions before it’s too late.
Survive at all costs…
Once bitten, the infection consumes the body and severs our basic need for survival. The mind is reduced to nothing more than impulses directing us to do one thing… feed.
But what if we were able to fight the urge?
To meld with the infection in a way that we keep our humanity.
For Mike, he’s been infected with the virus but hasn’t turned. The bite wounds on his arms and legs have healed but the uneasy feeling of something foreign deep inside of him looms. Unsure of his fate, Mike must fight the horde of undead lurking around every corner and find the answers to his questions before it’s too late.
213 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 29, 2015
127 people are currently reading
235 people want to read
About the author
Derek Shupert
247 books194 followersDerek Shupert is an avid super hero fan (Marvel over DC Universe) and lover of Science Fiction. Derek likes to spend his free time putting down on paper the stories that he has contained in his imagination. By day, he is an Inventory and Distribution Services Center Manager but by night, he writes. To date, he has published four books; two Sci-Fi, a children’s book and a technology consumer guide. He is currently working on two more books which should be available early 2016.
Derek lives in Sherman, Texas with his wife, children and various pets.
Derek lives in Sherman, Texas with his wife, children and various pets.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 8, 2023
Afflicted: Patient Zero is book 1 of the Afflicted series by Derek Shupert. Mike is the main character who has been transformed by the pharmaceutical company he works for into a mutated, not-yet zombie. It appears to me that Mike was abducted on his first day of work, and experimented on by his superiors. I say, it appears, because Mike fades in and out of consciousness, and because the narrative is told in first person point of view, sometimes Mike is an unreliable narrator.
This is not just a zombie story, but since Mike is trying to escape, it is a locked room horror narrative. Mike is inside of a labyrinthine facility which he is attempting to escape whilst zombies have overrun the place and the security personnel is trying to capture him. There are some really good action sequences, but I believe making this a first person story is a mistake. The story would benefit from multiple points of view or simply third person. It was good, not great, middle of the road.
This is not just a zombie story, but since Mike is trying to escape, it is a locked room horror narrative. Mike is inside of a labyrinthine facility which he is attempting to escape whilst zombies have overrun the place and the security personnel is trying to capture him. There are some really good action sequences, but I believe making this a first person story is a mistake. The story would benefit from multiple points of view or simply third person. It was good, not great, middle of the road.
March 20, 2017
2 1/2, rounded up to 3 stars, because that's how rounding works, and the blood and gore factors were pretty much 5 on a 5-point scale.
"Afflicted: Patient Zero" is fast-paced gorefest of a horror story, revolving around Mike, a former security guard turned super-mutant freak after her is abducted and experimented on at his new pharmaceutical workplace. Mike's got a little bit of amnesia due to his condition, but he's not quite as bad off as the rest of the undead, voracious creatures with a hankering for flesh and no intellectual capacity. The story starts quickly, in media res, and moves either quickly through action-packed fight sequences, or crawls through tireless descriptions of Mike's navigating through the building. Throughout the story, Mike's main focus is to try to return to his wife Becky; neglected before, now she becomes a beacon of light to Mike in his new insane environment.
There were mistakes in grammar and usage, which I found annoying enough to want to mention. First, the use of the word "murder" instead of something such as "horde" to describe a collective group that's typically in motion. For example, The murder continues their advancement as they move past the two feasting on the soldiers. It looks and sounds kind of neat, but murder as a collective noun is used to describe crows, not the undead. My little brain remained confused for most of these many instances. I was also distracted by the excessive use of similes in the first couple of chapters, sometimes even two in the same sentences. Granted, similes are fun, so I'll share some of my favorites:
Scared out of my mind, I awaken to find myself sweating like a whore in church, and my arms defensively stretched out in front of me.
and also
They drop to the ground like a girl’s dress at prom and I swing the Glock over to cap the other corpse in the head.
and here's another fun one:
A severed artery sprays blood like a punctured soda can.
Overall, I found the book entertaining and action-filled, but I did have a difficult time connecting with the characters. Kudos to the author for a fun read!
"Afflicted: Patient Zero" is fast-paced gorefest of a horror story, revolving around Mike, a former security guard turned super-mutant freak after her is abducted and experimented on at his new pharmaceutical workplace. Mike's got a little bit of amnesia due to his condition, but he's not quite as bad off as the rest of the undead, voracious creatures with a hankering for flesh and no intellectual capacity. The story starts quickly, in media res, and moves either quickly through action-packed fight sequences, or crawls through tireless descriptions of Mike's navigating through the building. Throughout the story, Mike's main focus is to try to return to his wife Becky; neglected before, now she becomes a beacon of light to Mike in his new insane environment.
There were mistakes in grammar and usage, which I found annoying enough to want to mention. First, the use of the word "murder" instead of something such as "horde" to describe a collective group that's typically in motion. For example, The murder continues their advancement as they move past the two feasting on the soldiers. It looks and sounds kind of neat, but murder as a collective noun is used to describe crows, not the undead. My little brain remained confused for most of these many instances. I was also distracted by the excessive use of similes in the first couple of chapters, sometimes even two in the same sentences. Granted, similes are fun, so I'll share some of my favorites:
Scared out of my mind, I awaken to find myself sweating like a whore in church, and my arms defensively stretched out in front of me.
and also
They drop to the ground like a girl’s dress at prom and I swing the Glock over to cap the other corpse in the head.
and here's another fun one:
A severed artery sprays blood like a punctured soda can.
Overall, I found the book entertaining and action-filled, but I did have a difficult time connecting with the characters. Kudos to the author for a fun read!
July 11, 2017
Got for an honest review.
First time reading a book from the author.
The story pulls me in right away. I use to play the “Resident Evil” game or watch the movie’s. This book brought those memory’s back. Even had “Z Nation” pop in my head as well.
I liked the story and the characters. It had a steady pace to keep me moving along as the story unfolds. The quirky description of some things was a very nice add. I smiled on a couple of them.
The book seems to have it all, the action, the gore, the mystery, and the spots to make you almost scream run or yell shot them. I will be looking and wanting to read more from the author.
Thank you for letting me read your story.
First time reading a book from the author.
The story pulls me in right away. I use to play the “Resident Evil” game or watch the movie’s. This book brought those memory’s back. Even had “Z Nation” pop in my head as well.
I liked the story and the characters. It had a steady pace to keep me moving along as the story unfolds. The quirky description of some things was a very nice add. I smiled on a couple of them.
The book seems to have it all, the action, the gore, the mystery, and the spots to make you almost scream run or yell shot them. I will be looking and wanting to read more from the author.
Thank you for letting me read your story.
February 20, 2017
Going in, I was intrigued by the premise of this book. However, the execution didn't quite sit right with me. I don't know if it's Mike's way at looking at things, or if it's just from the way characters come and go in a blink of an eye. There are some spelling and grammatical errors that give the reader a quick pause, but doesn't make the reader stop entirely. The plot does it best to keep you guessing, and the driving force of love and seeing the MC's loved one again keeps a central theme driving through.
For those of you who like tales of the zombie apocalypse, this is for you. I might pick up the next read way on down the road.
For those of you who like tales of the zombie apocalypse, this is for you. I might pick up the next read way on down the road.
December 10, 2020
Redundant!
In Afflicted: Patient Zero, Mike, we don’t know his last name, wakes up in a darkened room, unknowing who he is, what he is or where he is. He later remembers his name, but not how he got there. He only knows that he is in danger. Someone has injected him and others with a virus that is turning them into violent, ravenous monsters!
There are dead bodies everywhere, and the undead who are chasing him down to kill and eat him. He knows he has to escape, and he remains focused on someone named Becky, whom he loves. He repeatedly tells himself that he needs to escape to be with her.
Well...that’s what he tells himself. However, though he is given multiple chances to escape, he instead wastes time and energy, again and again, traveling around a large, dark multi-storied building that is teeming with danger, to maybe find a cure.
And this is basically what happens throughout the book. The book repeatedly goes around this circle, over and over. I can’t begin to count the times that the same thing happens. It tired me, and I love zombie stories.
In Afflicted: Patient Zero, Mike, we don’t know his last name, wakes up in a darkened room, unknowing who he is, what he is or where he is. He later remembers his name, but not how he got there. He only knows that he is in danger. Someone has injected him and others with a virus that is turning them into violent, ravenous monsters!
There are dead bodies everywhere, and the undead who are chasing him down to kill and eat him. He knows he has to escape, and he remains focused on someone named Becky, whom he loves. He repeatedly tells himself that he needs to escape to be with her.
Well...that’s what he tells himself. However, though he is given multiple chances to escape, he instead wastes time and energy, again and again, traveling around a large, dark multi-storied building that is teeming with danger, to maybe find a cure.
And this is basically what happens throughout the book. The book repeatedly goes around this circle, over and over. I can’t begin to count the times that the same thing happens. It tired me, and I love zombie stories.
December 22, 2019
Afflicted - Genesis by Derek Shupert Afflicted - Genesis by Derek Shupert is a futuristic/dystopian novella that is frightening. It touches on disturbing unethical genetic research. It shows how the destructive virus came about with Dr. Saunders and his Project Starlight. I gave it four stars.
I received a complimentary copy from the author. That did not change my opinion for this review.
Link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Afflicted-Gene...
I received a complimentary copy from the author. That did not change my opinion for this review.
Link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Afflicted-Gene...
May 9, 2017
I enjoyed reading this book. Very please that I read book 0 beforehand because I'll be all over the place on how and who.
Book did lose some point's from the errors but the flow of it was still easy to read.
The virus little different. It hasn't spread worldwide. It's still in the lab and research building where it was made. Deep underground. Whole lot of zombie killing and murder human or not!!
We got to meet some that been infected or some that maybe was not sure. It was like human rat maze. They tried to fight and find way out. Not all made it out.
Mike ex- Military was kinda of a badazz. He is infected he did change on the outside not 100% inside still have human reactions. Mike thought he made it out but someone else was waiting which leaves a cliffhanger at the end now have to wait to get book 2 when I can. Love to know what happen to Casey and her husband who is infected but not the same way as mike but close.
I did get little confused last few chapters mike had night vision after virus started working in his system then it disappear at of no where. One minute he had it next he doesn't.
Book did lose some point's from the errors but the flow of it was still easy to read.
The virus little different. It hasn't spread worldwide. It's still in the lab and research building where it was made. Deep underground. Whole lot of zombie killing and murder human or not!!
We got to meet some that been infected or some that maybe was not sure. It was like human rat maze. They tried to fight and find way out. Not all made it out.
Mike ex- Military was kinda of a badazz. He is infected he did change on the outside not 100% inside still have human reactions. Mike thought he made it out but someone else was waiting which leaves a cliffhanger at the end now have to wait to get book 2 when I can. Love to know what happen to Casey and her husband who is infected but not the same way as mike but close.
I did get little confused last few chapters mike had night vision after virus started working in his system then it disappear at of no where. One minute he had it next he doesn't.
May 10, 2017
This was a bump in the night kind of story for me that is other people might see it differently. It had me on the edge of my seat most of the time a very enjoyable read this book I would be very happy to recommend this book to all my friends and whom ever read my reviews. An extremely talented author and my thanks to the author Derek Shupert for giving me the pleasure of reading one of his book will be looking out for more of his book to read in the future so to all happy reading from wee me. ☺♥
October 28, 2017
Interesting read. Twists and turns. Took awhile to figure out what was going on and then it became interesting to read what was next. When you don't realize what is going on around you and wierd things are happening around you, what do you do?
This is the scene of the main character in this story. As well as the reader. The title tells us something is going on, but the story takes awhile to let the secrets out.
This was a decent read. I do recommend it
This is the scene of the main character in this story. As well as the reader. The title tells us something is going on, but the story takes awhile to let the secrets out.
This was a decent read. I do recommend it
October 28, 2018
This was a decent zombie novel. It reminded me very much of Resident Evil, in the sense that the virus hasn't really escaped the lab yet. It was a little confusing at first but it was fast paced.
Unfortunately the misspelled words and grammatical errors were distracting. It's really important to have people read your work and correct errors. It helps to have fresh eyes see what you might be missing.
Unfortunately the misspelled words and grammatical errors were distracting. It's really important to have people read your work and correct errors. It helps to have fresh eyes see what you might be missing.
August 8, 2019
Afflicted Patient Zero is a fast read but has many repetitive errors (ex. it is staring not starring) and he changes a character's name in the middle of a scene making for a confusing scene as you wonder if Mike is hallucinating again or what. The entire first scene was irrelevant and should have been deleted as it does nothing for the story. Also did not like how until Natasha the other characters are so dispensable. I might read the next book but haven't decided for sure yet.
May 26, 2017
I just love to read apocalyptic books and this one was very good. There are many surprising twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. The world and characters are well written. This book is not for the squeamish but when could you expect a man-made end of the world as we know it to be sedate?
August 16, 2017
Not the best book I have read, nor the worst. There are many flashbacks for the main character and he sees things differently than the non infected. It is great if you are into human experiments gone horrible wrong. The text itself appears that it was actually proofread, which I enjoyed, so I would recommend reading it.
August 4, 2023
The novel is told from the first person of the main character, Mike. Lots of action sequences. I had a hard time finishing this book. Typically, I will stop reading a book if I don't enjoy it. I was interested in the story, though, and wanted to find out what happens in the end. I would have enjoyed this story more if it was a movie rather than a novel. I'd give it 2.5 stars out of 5 if I could.
August 23, 2017
U Must read!
Surprises on every page! You will not be disappointed. I'm a huge fan of authors such as Mark Tufo, Shawn Chesser, John O'Brien, and David Achord, as well as many more.. Derek Shupert will just as well.....give him a chance!
Surprises on every page! You will not be disappointed. I'm a huge fan of authors such as Mark Tufo, Shawn Chesser, John O'Brien, and David Achord, as well as many more.. Derek Shupert will just as well.....give him a chance!
Read
December 11, 2024The zombies, check✅
Keeps you on the edge of your seat, check✅
Definitely gruesome, double check✅
Has that one other character who makes dumb decisions and almost gets themselves killed but still survives , triple check ✅
Absolutely, loved it.
Keeps you on the edge of your seat, check✅
Definitely gruesome, double check✅
Has that one other character who makes dumb decisions and almost gets themselves killed but still survives , triple check ✅
Absolutely, loved it.
June 2, 2017
Very enjoyable read
I liked the action and how the hero stayed himself even while his body was changing. And how h was still trying to help.
I liked the action and how the hero stayed himself even while his body was changing. And how h was still trying to help.
October 20, 2017
Great zombie read
Even though it was full of misspelled words I really enjoyed this zombie book. I cannot wait to read the others in the series
Even though it was full of misspelled words I really enjoyed this zombie book. I cannot wait to read the others in the series
October 31, 2017
This is a great short story. I was given this book for an honest review. I enjoyed this book and I would like to read more books by this author.
December 13, 2018
This was a difficult and confusing book to read, not because it was poorly written but because the style was so different. I’ll have to read more in this series and from this author.
January 10, 2023
Afflicted Patient Zero Book 1
This book had my heart racing. I read it out of order and never thought that I would read this type of story line, but now I have to know how it ends.
This book had my heart racing. I read it out of order and never thought that I would read this type of story line, but now I have to know how it ends.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews