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Cattle
The Dead Have Awakened
It is 10 years after the global apocalypse. The Phage, the zombie virus that brought the world to its knees, has mutated, restoring the minds of its undead victims: their personalities, their memories... even their dreams. The living dead are no longer the mindless monsters that drove mankind to the brink of extinction.
But they still possess their insatiable hunger for human flesh.
Kept Like Animals
Brent Scarborough is a veteran survivor. He has been dodging the undead for nearly a decade. When he learns there is a city controlled and populated by living human beings, a place they call Home, he and his companion, Harold Killian, head immediately for this refuge of the living.
But they are captured on the last leg of their journey. Harold is killed, and Brent is imprisoned in a terrible zombie gulag, a nightmarish facility where the living are kept like animals and forced to breed for their hungry zombie masters.
Refusing to be defeated, Brent forges alliances with his desperate fellow inmates. His only goal is escape, but bearing down on the facility is a herd of mindless chompers, zombies who have not yet reawakened, and it is the largest and most destructive herd the living and dead have ever seen!
Set 10 years after the events in the popular zombie novel Mort, Cattle is a no-holds-barred action horror novel that is as original as it is fearless. Author Joseph Duncan (who formerly wrote under the pen name Rod Redux) has pulled out all the stops in his latest post-apocalyptic novel.
It is 10 years after the global apocalypse. The Phage, the zombie virus that brought the world to its knees, has mutated, restoring the minds of its undead victims: their personalities, their memories... even their dreams. The living dead are no longer the mindless monsters that drove mankind to the brink of extinction.
But they still possess their insatiable hunger for human flesh.
Kept Like Animals
Brent Scarborough is a veteran survivor. He has been dodging the undead for nearly a decade. When he learns there is a city controlled and populated by living human beings, a place they call Home, he and his companion, Harold Killian, head immediately for this refuge of the living.
But they are captured on the last leg of their journey. Harold is killed, and Brent is imprisoned in a terrible zombie gulag, a nightmarish facility where the living are kept like animals and forced to breed for their hungry zombie masters.
Refusing to be defeated, Brent forges alliances with his desperate fellow inmates. His only goal is escape, but bearing down on the facility is a herd of mindless chompers, zombies who have not yet reawakened, and it is the largest and most destructive herd the living and dead have ever seen!
Set 10 years after the events in the popular zombie novel Mort, Cattle is a no-holds-barred action horror novel that is as original as it is fearless. Author Joseph Duncan (who formerly wrote under the pen name Rod Redux) has pulled out all the stops in his latest post-apocalyptic novel.
Audiobook
First published February 6, 2014
42 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
Joseph Duncan
41 books132 followersBorn in Southern Illinois, Joseph was raised in a very liberal home environment and was exposed at an early age to the classic underground comic book scene of the sixties and seventies, as well as European graphic novels by artists like Moebius, Enki Bilal and Milo Manara. At age 9, he was reading Tolkien and Stephen King. He wrote his first novella at age 10. If you want to read the same old formulaic pop lit, don't bother with Joseph's fiction. The novels of Joseph Duncan are challenging, subversive and fantastical, merging genres and pushing the boundaries of propriety and good taste. If you have an aversion to dark subject matter, gratuitous sex and extreme violence, stay far away from Joseph's books. Far. Far. Away!
If you'd like to contact Mr. Duncan, you may do so at authorjosephduncan@gmail.com
If you'd like to contact Mr. Duncan, you may do so at authorjosephduncan@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
October 4, 2019
This graphic spin on Zombies ruling the world has some seriously stomach turning scenes.
Zombies using humans to do their bidding by keeping them enslaved and on constant alert as to which one of them would be the next meal...
Perfectly gruesome along with an exceptionally smart plot.
Zombies using humans to do their bidding by keeping them enslaved and on constant alert as to which one of them would be the next meal...
Perfectly gruesome along with an exceptionally smart plot.
dnf-for-good
October 16, 2018DNF!! 1hr and 6 mins into the audio and so far it's about the MC traveling alone and talking to his imaginary dead friend. I can't hang with this shit. And the narration could use some work also.
August 2, 2015
A Unique and Energetic Read.
I had no real idea what to expect going into this but I didn't expect to love it as much as I did. It was such a refreshing take on the Zombie genre. The blurb above sums up the book so I'm going to get to my thoughts.
One of the main things that stand out for me in this book is the Zombies. I adored the fact that the author took the Zombies and put his own twist on them. Zombies are scary anyway, but add in Zombies that talk and are sentient, well then you have something even scarier! The zombies of the Phage are coming back, but a few of them are coming back to almost human. The only thing (apart from appearance) that separates them is their thirst for blood and hunger for flesh. These zombies then decide that since humans are becoming scarce, they will capture and breed humans to have sustenance. Being captured by Zombies is bad enough but being forced to have sex to feed these things is worse!!
Another thing that stands out are the characters. They are so well written and developed that they jump off the page. Brent has been on the run since the Phage first came and has thus far managed to stay safe, but all that changes when he makes a silly mistake. He is captured and sent to a "Breeding Camp". He knows he needs to escape but how can he pull it off? Brent was such a likable character and one you feel for. He is just an all round nice guy and when he was caught, I was like Noooo!! He keeps his head the whole way through and is such an awesome hero.
Anyway, I loved this. It was fast paced, well written and a refreshing Zombie tale. You are drawn into the book right from the start and it's pretty much non stop the whole way through. I started the book and had it finished within a day because I could not stop listening to it!! I had to see what happened next. I really hope we see more from these characters and from this world!!
The narrator did an amazing job with this book, he really brought the book to life. His tone for the Zombies was so creepy and gave me chills. He gave each character his all and it shows.
I had no real idea what to expect going into this but I didn't expect to love it as much as I did. It was such a refreshing take on the Zombie genre. The blurb above sums up the book so I'm going to get to my thoughts.
One of the main things that stand out for me in this book is the Zombies. I adored the fact that the author took the Zombies and put his own twist on them. Zombies are scary anyway, but add in Zombies that talk and are sentient, well then you have something even scarier! The zombies of the Phage are coming back, but a few of them are coming back to almost human. The only thing (apart from appearance) that separates them is their thirst for blood and hunger for flesh. These zombies then decide that since humans are becoming scarce, they will capture and breed humans to have sustenance. Being captured by Zombies is bad enough but being forced to have sex to feed these things is worse!!
Another thing that stands out are the characters. They are so well written and developed that they jump off the page. Brent has been on the run since the Phage first came and has thus far managed to stay safe, but all that changes when he makes a silly mistake. He is captured and sent to a "Breeding Camp". He knows he needs to escape but how can he pull it off? Brent was such a likable character and one you feel for. He is just an all round nice guy and when he was caught, I was like Noooo!! He keeps his head the whole way through and is such an awesome hero.
Anyway, I loved this. It was fast paced, well written and a refreshing Zombie tale. You are drawn into the book right from the start and it's pretty much non stop the whole way through. I started the book and had it finished within a day because I could not stop listening to it!! I had to see what happened next. I really hope we see more from these characters and from this world!!
The narrator did an amazing job with this book, he really brought the book to life. His tone for the Zombies was so creepy and gave me chills. He gave each character his all and it shows.
August 2, 2015
New twist on the zombie genre.
This book is equal parts depressing and terrifying. While I usually picture where I would be while listening to a zombie book, I think I would have hoped to be one of the first to be eaten alive in Joseph Duncan's version of the world.
The virus that created the zombies mutates, and some of them regain their minds. In most stories, the only advantage humans have is that the zombies are mindless eating machines. A zombie that is intelligent is a scary thing.
The main character Brent, is captured by zombies and tossed into one of the 'breeding camps' where he is forced to reproduce to supply food for the zombies. He makes his plan to escape and make it to a place the radio calls 'Home' to live with other survivors. While a little slow at times, this book will still keep you interested.
This was my first Ian M. Walker book, and he did a fantastic job. Great speaking voice, good pace, easy to understand (well.. except for Max, but he is written that way) different voices and accents for the characters so they are easy to distinguish.
Audiobook received for an honest review.
This book is equal parts depressing and terrifying. While I usually picture where I would be while listening to a zombie book, I think I would have hoped to be one of the first to be eaten alive in Joseph Duncan's version of the world.
The virus that created the zombies mutates, and some of them regain their minds. In most stories, the only advantage humans have is that the zombies are mindless eating machines. A zombie that is intelligent is a scary thing.
The main character Brent, is captured by zombies and tossed into one of the 'breeding camps' where he is forced to reproduce to supply food for the zombies. He makes his plan to escape and make it to a place the radio calls 'Home' to live with other survivors. While a little slow at times, this book will still keep you interested.
This was my first Ian M. Walker book, and he did a fantastic job. Great speaking voice, good pace, easy to understand (well.. except for Max, but he is written that way) different voices and accents for the characters so they are easy to distinguish.
Audiobook received for an honest review.
December 18, 2015
A very manly book about a world where a zombie virus has spread, and where some of those zombies have regained their wits, but not necessarily their humanity. Interesting, engaging, not too long. Well written and well narrated, even though the female characters felt a bit... like they were written by a man.
May 20, 2015
A very interesting perspective of a zombie apocalypse with extra nastiness at the hands of zombies gaining back their intelligence and becoming that much more dangerous. The author starts it almost like a zombie buddy movie with Brent and Harold continually on the run but still managing to enjoy the small things in life. That takes a sudden turn when they get a first hand view of how cows feel at the hands of their intelligent rotten captors. What's interesting throughout though is the effect that the circumstances have on the characters themselves. For part of it, Brent who previously let the reader know that he's most afraid of being alone is stuck alone, and he subconsciously manifests his buddy to keep himself company sometimes having an interior monologue with him and questioning his own sanity. Later on as captives he runs into the idea of Stockholm syndrome-esque feelings towards his new environment and the fact that maybe the sacrifices necessary in terms of freedom are worth it in return for the protection, food, and other perks of being used in his purpose. There are a number of different plotlines and possibilities along the way that alter Brent and the others' situations, but one of my favorite parts was the ending wherein Duncan ties it up with a bow as best you can considering the chaotic nature of everything that came before.
I listened to the audible version, and received the code for that free in exchange for an honest review. I greatly recommend it either in book or audio version.
I listened to the audible version, and received the code for that free in exchange for an honest review. I greatly recommend it either in book or audio version.
May 7, 2015
I was given this book for free to review. I enjoyed the concept of the story. It was a different take on the zombie apocalypse. It was very descriptive and I liked how some of the zombies weren't just mindless cannibals. I also enjoyed the friendship between Brent and his zombie friend. The only thing I have to say about this audiobook was that I really did not enjoy the performance of the narrator. The characters sounded too much a like and at some points you could not understand what some of the zombie characters were saying. Overall I would recommend this audiobook. If you are looking for something different I would try this book out.
May 7, 2015
I received an audio version of this book for free, that in no way affects my review.
The author has taken the Zombie genre to whole new level. I was mesmerized from the opening sentence to the last period. Imagine a dystopian world where the Undead are the rulers, and the living are nothing more than livestock. The narrator, Ian M. Walker, does a superb job. He is highly skilled and moved the story along at a perfect pace. I was sad when the book ended because I so thoroughly enjoying this experience I will definitely be listening to, and following both the author and narrator for more books.
This is not your standard dystopian book;
it is a moving, artfully crafted, piece of work.
The author has taken the Zombie genre to whole new level. I was mesmerized from the opening sentence to the last period. Imagine a dystopian world where the Undead are the rulers, and the living are nothing more than livestock. The narrator, Ian M. Walker, does a superb job. He is highly skilled and moved the story along at a perfect pace. I was sad when the book ended because I so thoroughly enjoying this experience I will definitely be listening to, and following both the author and narrator for more books.
This is not your standard dystopian book;
it is a moving, artfully crafted, piece of work.
March 16, 2014
As usual Joseph Duncan formerly aka Rod Redux delivers!!! It's an unbelievable fast paced & thrilling book that leaves you wanting MORE! His character development is as usual fantastic. If you haven't read this yet, or any of a The Oldest Living Vampire series, or Mort your TRULY missing out. He's the best author to come around since Stephen King!
January 31, 2019
Great apocalypse story!
I read Mort first and loved it. I didn't see how Mr. Duncan could follow it up, but I enjoyed Cattle even more. Especially the twist and "aha" moment! Oh Mr. Duncan you are a craftsman at weaving a tale!
I read Mort first and loved it. I didn't see how Mr. Duncan could follow it up, but I enjoyed Cattle even more. Especially the twist and "aha" moment! Oh Mr. Duncan you are a craftsman at weaving a tale!
April 14, 2022
Great sequel
His books are great. Very detailed and a fun escape. I love how we started with new characters in this one that were just as full and detailed as the first zombie book.
His books are great. Very detailed and a fun escape. I love how we started with new characters in this one that were just as full and detailed as the first zombie book.
January 9, 2018
Crazy Zombie Twist
Loved this book! Great twist, exciting and funny ...not your typical Zombie read. Recommend to all my Zombie loving friends..
Loved this book! Great twist, exciting and funny ...not your typical Zombie read. Recommend to all my Zombie loving friends..
October 10, 2018
Interesting take on zombies. Audible narrator effected the rating as he sounded like he was whisper reading it for no reason.
December 13, 2018
Snore
I don't know why people have this given even more than two stars. It's a dull read waste of a purchase. I even started skipping pages! AVOID THIS BOOK!
I don't know why people have this given even more than two stars. It's a dull read waste of a purchase. I even started skipping pages! AVOID THIS BOOK!
July 3, 2025
Awesome read!!
I absolutely loved the unique storyline! What an enjoyable read. I couldn't put it down and finished this one fast.
I absolutely loved the unique storyline! What an enjoyable read. I couldn't put it down and finished this one fast.
December 12, 2015
Cattle by Joseph Duncan Note: This is a sequel of sorts to the novel Mort, formerly published under a pen name (Rod Redux). It works just fine as a stand alone.
10 years after the phage turned most humans into flesh-craving zombies, it has now mutated. Now zombies can awake to their memories, can dream again, and they definitely know what they are eating. So they have started organizing into nations and have created breeding facilities to maintain their food supply. This includes capturing humans for a people breeding facility. Yep. It’s just as horrendous as it sounds.
Brent and Harold have been traveling together for a while now. They heard a radio broadcast from a nearby human town, one that has a truce of sorts with the closest zombie population. They are trying to make it to this haven called Home when they are spotted by a zombie patrol. Harold is killed in the pursuit and Brent is captured. However, the Revenants (zombies who have their wits about them) need a new rooster for their human hens. So Brent is tossed in with the other roosters; Ian, Jamie, and Vicars. They’re a right cheery bunch. Right off, the three suspect the Revenants may be planning to retire one of them and none of them want to be it.
The prison/meat plant is an old supermarket. The men are kept in the back where the butcher’s station use to be. The ladies have their cubicles and the zombies have their stations inside and then quarters outside (old trailers and such). It seems so orderly and civil…. except that part where they are breeding the ladies for baby meat. Muriel is one of the older yet still of breeding age ladies. She had escaped, again, and was recaptured at the same time that Brent was caught. Throughout the story, she often provides comfort and advise to Brent. She got the most page time out of all the lady characters and she was my favorite. She was the brains of the bunch and I wish she had gotten a larger role in the story. There’s a limited number of female characters in a sea of male characters (and why is there only 1 female zombie?).
There’s this whole command structure among the zombies and I thought this was interesting. So often, we think of them as pretty brainless, simply reacting to a deep hunger (and indeed, that kind do exist in this world and are called Chompers). So it was different to see them thinking and organizing and holding back from their instant cravings to plan for the future. Also, it was good to see that the Revenants were just as scared of the Chompers as the humans, as the Chompers are none too picky about what kind of meat they are eating. Blech!
While Brent is in this meat prison, he has to make some really tough choices. First, all of them are being coerced into breeding, including the 14 year old Ruth. Definitely a sad state of affairs. Brent has a set of morals, and while some of them have been tarnished, bent, or broken over the years, that is not one of them. It seems Brent’s basic nature is to trust people, but here, in this literally cut throat place, he has to choose very carefully who he can trust. The other roosters are big question marks. Brent’s most difficult position and the tough choices he keeps having to make definitely had me fully engaged throughout the story.
Late in the tale, the author tosses in a little tidbit I really enjoyed. Two characters are added to the mix and they have an odd dialect. Basically, they and their little group of people had become isolated long enough to have developed their own version of the language, making it a little difficult for others to understand them, though in the big picture, they are all speaking the same language (roughly). This is such a realistic probability, that I really enjoyed it being tossed in here.
This was a great zombie read because it was different and original. It’s not just your mindless eating hordes versus the last remaining humans. Nope. These zombies come in different flavors and at least some of them can think and organize. This book sets a new bar for zombie horror fiction.
I bought a copy of this book from Audible.com.
Narration: Ian M. Walker did most things really well and a few things need a little work. First, his female voices could be a bit more feminine. And also, it would be OK for him to show some emotion while narrating (was he bored by the book?). On the other hand, he did this incredible job with the zombie voices – these falling apart, decaying faces and vocal chords make some truly horrible sounds. Walker managed to pull that off and keep the dialogue understandable. Also, later in the book when two characters with their own version of English are tossed in, Walker had to make it sound almost like English and also smooth like the character knew exactly what they were saying. That was well done too.
10 years after the phage turned most humans into flesh-craving zombies, it has now mutated. Now zombies can awake to their memories, can dream again, and they definitely know what they are eating. So they have started organizing into nations and have created breeding facilities to maintain their food supply. This includes capturing humans for a people breeding facility. Yep. It’s just as horrendous as it sounds.
Brent and Harold have been traveling together for a while now. They heard a radio broadcast from a nearby human town, one that has a truce of sorts with the closest zombie population. They are trying to make it to this haven called Home when they are spotted by a zombie patrol. Harold is killed in the pursuit and Brent is captured. However, the Revenants (zombies who have their wits about them) need a new rooster for their human hens. So Brent is tossed in with the other roosters; Ian, Jamie, and Vicars. They’re a right cheery bunch. Right off, the three suspect the Revenants may be planning to retire one of them and none of them want to be it.
The prison/meat plant is an old supermarket. The men are kept in the back where the butcher’s station use to be. The ladies have their cubicles and the zombies have their stations inside and then quarters outside (old trailers and such). It seems so orderly and civil…. except that part where they are breeding the ladies for baby meat. Muriel is one of the older yet still of breeding age ladies. She had escaped, again, and was recaptured at the same time that Brent was caught. Throughout the story, she often provides comfort and advise to Brent. She got the most page time out of all the lady characters and she was my favorite. She was the brains of the bunch and I wish she had gotten a larger role in the story. There’s a limited number of female characters in a sea of male characters (and why is there only 1 female zombie?).
There’s this whole command structure among the zombies and I thought this was interesting. So often, we think of them as pretty brainless, simply reacting to a deep hunger (and indeed, that kind do exist in this world and are called Chompers). So it was different to see them thinking and organizing and holding back from their instant cravings to plan for the future. Also, it was good to see that the Revenants were just as scared of the Chompers as the humans, as the Chompers are none too picky about what kind of meat they are eating. Blech!
While Brent is in this meat prison, he has to make some really tough choices. First, all of them are being coerced into breeding, including the 14 year old Ruth. Definitely a sad state of affairs. Brent has a set of morals, and while some of them have been tarnished, bent, or broken over the years, that is not one of them. It seems Brent’s basic nature is to trust people, but here, in this literally cut throat place, he has to choose very carefully who he can trust. The other roosters are big question marks. Brent’s most difficult position and the tough choices he keeps having to make definitely had me fully engaged throughout the story.
Late in the tale, the author tosses in a little tidbit I really enjoyed. Two characters are added to the mix and they have an odd dialect. Basically, they and their little group of people had become isolated long enough to have developed their own version of the language, making it a little difficult for others to understand them, though in the big picture, they are all speaking the same language (roughly). This is such a realistic probability, that I really enjoyed it being tossed in here.
This was a great zombie read because it was different and original. It’s not just your mindless eating hordes versus the last remaining humans. Nope. These zombies come in different flavors and at least some of them can think and organize. This book sets a new bar for zombie horror fiction.
I bought a copy of this book from Audible.com.
Narration: Ian M. Walker did most things really well and a few things need a little work. First, his female voices could be a bit more feminine. And also, it would be OK for him to show some emotion while narrating (was he bored by the book?). On the other hand, he did this incredible job with the zombie voices – these falling apart, decaying faces and vocal chords make some truly horrible sounds. Walker managed to pull that off and keep the dialogue understandable. Also, later in the book when two characters with their own version of English are tossed in, Walker had to make it sound almost like English and also smooth like the character knew exactly what they were saying. That was well done too.
January 12, 2016
In my opinion, zombies are usually better for film and television. So much of what engages an audience with zombies is the character's environment and how that environment can impede or enable escape from zombies. The one exception of note is the Walking Dead comics, but again, it's a visual medium. It's more tedious in prose form, reading about how someone finds food or finds abandoned stores.
Cattle sounded like a different kind of zombie story. In Cattle, the zombies have started regaining their former memories and personalities, and now they are organized. They capture humans and force them into breeding for their culinary pleasure. It sounded intriguing enough that I decided to take a chance on it and buy it when Audible was having one of its fire sales.
Duncan mostly delivers what you might want in such a story. The first part is fairly tedious, typical "making my way through the zombie apocalypse" fare. Luckily, the main character, Brent, gets captured pretty quick and becomes a breeder for a zombie group. Duncan touches on some queasy subjects, as one should with this type of story. He explores some of the moral ambiguity inherent in the zombie apocalypse aftermath and forces the characters to redefine their conceptions of life.
However, I also feel like Duncan left a lot of issues unexplored. Instead of digging into the core of what makes such a premise interesting, the story only touches on those interesting facets and then returns to ticking off plot points. I would like to have learned more about the "resurrected" zombies, more about the psyche of women who were forced to hand over their newborn babies to monsters, and more about coping with such grim circumstances. As it was, Brent started out as a mere placeholder for the reader to experience the story - zero personality, an "everyman" to a fault - and does not go through any big change throughout the story. He basically accepts his circumstances while trying to find a way out.
Duncan's writing won't light the world on fire, but Cattle was entertaining enough for something to listen to in the car to dull the boredom of driving.
Cattle sounded like a different kind of zombie story. In Cattle, the zombies have started regaining their former memories and personalities, and now they are organized. They capture humans and force them into breeding for their culinary pleasure. It sounded intriguing enough that I decided to take a chance on it and buy it when Audible was having one of its fire sales.
Duncan mostly delivers what you might want in such a story. The first part is fairly tedious, typical "making my way through the zombie apocalypse" fare. Luckily, the main character, Brent, gets captured pretty quick and becomes a breeder for a zombie group. Duncan touches on some queasy subjects, as one should with this type of story. He explores some of the moral ambiguity inherent in the zombie apocalypse aftermath and forces the characters to redefine their conceptions of life.
However, I also feel like Duncan left a lot of issues unexplored. Instead of digging into the core of what makes such a premise interesting, the story only touches on those interesting facets and then returns to ticking off plot points. I would like to have learned more about the "resurrected" zombies, more about the psyche of women who were forced to hand over their newborn babies to monsters, and more about coping with such grim circumstances. As it was, Brent started out as a mere placeholder for the reader to experience the story - zero personality, an "everyman" to a fault - and does not go through any big change throughout the story. He basically accepts his circumstances while trying to find a way out.
Duncan's writing won't light the world on fire, but Cattle was entertaining enough for something to listen to in the car to dull the boredom of driving.
August 5, 2015
"Addicting"
Would you listen to Cattle again? Why?
Yes! It was great. This is one of my favorite's now.
Who was your favorite character and why?
Brent following his life kept me on edge. Through out the entire book.
Have you listened to any of Ian M. Walker’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
This is the 1st audio I've listened to by Ian M Walker. He was great. Perfect zombie voices.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Yes when Brent was locked up as a breeder. I also loved how he never gave up and trying to break out and run too freedom.
Any additional comments?
This was an OMG great audio book. The author did a great job coming up with a new and different zombie apocalypse book. I do not normally listen to books like this but I would listen to this one again.
The book starts out following Brent through this terrifying new world for humans. Yes your worst fears have come to life in this book. We are the cattle. And of course the Zombie's have intelligence. Which is even scarier. I got so hooked on listening to what happens next to Brent. I couldn't turn the audio book off. I thought the author did a good job trying to make this a real life situation. Which keep me going all the way to the end. I couldn't tell you how many times I thought. Yeah I could see that happening in an apocalyptic world.
Brent is so interesting. I liked that the author tried to keep him a decent guy in a world gone wrong. I felt to many emotions listening to the audio. I found myself rooting for the characters. Especially things like run, run and run faster!
The narrator Ian M. Walker was amazing. I loved the voices he used for the characters. My favorite voices were the different zombies. He did the rough zombie voices perfect! He also had a great character voice for the black girl. I felt so sorry for her and any woman that would be caught up in this world.
I received this audio free in exchange for a honest review.
Would you listen to Cattle again? Why?
Yes! It was great. This is one of my favorite's now.
Who was your favorite character and why?
Brent following his life kept me on edge. Through out the entire book.
Have you listened to any of Ian M. Walker’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
This is the 1st audio I've listened to by Ian M Walker. He was great. Perfect zombie voices.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Yes when Brent was locked up as a breeder. I also loved how he never gave up and trying to break out and run too freedom.
Any additional comments?
This was an OMG great audio book. The author did a great job coming up with a new and different zombie apocalypse book. I do not normally listen to books like this but I would listen to this one again.
The book starts out following Brent through this terrifying new world for humans. Yes your worst fears have come to life in this book. We are the cattle. And of course the Zombie's have intelligence. Which is even scarier. I got so hooked on listening to what happens next to Brent. I couldn't turn the audio book off. I thought the author did a good job trying to make this a real life situation. Which keep me going all the way to the end. I couldn't tell you how many times I thought. Yeah I could see that happening in an apocalyptic world.
Brent is so interesting. I liked that the author tried to keep him a decent guy in a world gone wrong. I felt to many emotions listening to the audio. I found myself rooting for the characters. Especially things like run, run and run faster!
The narrator Ian M. Walker was amazing. I loved the voices he used for the characters. My favorite voices were the different zombies. He did the rough zombie voices perfect! He also had a great character voice for the black girl. I felt so sorry for her and any woman that would be caught up in this world.
I received this audio free in exchange for a honest review.
July 15, 2015
This review is for the audio version.
Though I am a bit tired of the zombies coming out of the woodwork of popular culture, and I did have to put forth quite the effort to suspend disbelief that these zombies can talk and think despite the amount of damage they must have sustained since turning in the first place, I found Cattle to be an interesting take, and worth the listen. Instead of simply being another scenario where there is a group of survivors against impossible odds, and "Surprise, THESE zombies came about in a unique way!," it actually twisted the zombie scenario in order to tell a completely different kind of story, and ask some hard questions about humanity. Not only was the story quite good, but Joseph Duncan's writing is evocative and visceral, which helped to make up for what I didn't like about the story.
As for the narration, I understand that this is Ian Walker's first full-length audio book. Despite his struggle with American accents, and the occasional difficulty understanding some of the zombie dialogue, he did a remarkable job. His voice and accent are pleasant, he's very expressive with his narration without going overboard, and he was a perfect fit for the story itself.
I gave the story and the narration 4 stars each, but they work so well together that the final product is more than the sum of its parts. A great team, and I look forward to listening to more from both of them.
Though I am a bit tired of the zombies coming out of the woodwork of popular culture, and I did have to put forth quite the effort to suspend disbelief that these zombies can talk and think despite the amount of damage they must have sustained since turning in the first place, I found Cattle to be an interesting take, and worth the listen. Instead of simply being another scenario where there is a group of survivors against impossible odds, and "Surprise, THESE zombies came about in a unique way!," it actually twisted the zombie scenario in order to tell a completely different kind of story, and ask some hard questions about humanity. Not only was the story quite good, but Joseph Duncan's writing is evocative and visceral, which helped to make up for what I didn't like about the story.
As for the narration, I understand that this is Ian Walker's first full-length audio book. Despite his struggle with American accents, and the occasional difficulty understanding some of the zombie dialogue, he did a remarkable job. His voice and accent are pleasant, he's very expressive with his narration without going overboard, and he was a perfect fit for the story itself.
I gave the story and the narration 4 stars each, but they work so well together that the final product is more than the sum of its parts. A great team, and I look forward to listening to more from both of them.
December 4, 2015
This was a nice surprise and the second great zombie book I read this year (the other is The Girl With All the Gifts). I really didn't think you could do anything new with the genre but Duncan makes it fresh with Cattle. As the title suggest humans are being farmed by zombies like common livestock which leads to interesting questions. Also I really like the thought of intelligent zombies that are aware of there former lives. Although this aspect of the story could have been inspected a little bit better but still it is a great book. I liked the characters and found the introduction of an imaginary friend a cleaver idea for the scenes were the protagonist is alone. it is a stand alone story but if the author want s he can write a sequel (which I'd be interested in reading). So if you are in the mood for a good zombie book check out Cattle, also it is short which I always like :)
January 9, 2017
Quick Review:
Plot: Zombies can regain their intelligence and talk.
The premise was creative enough that I wanted to the finish the book, but unfortunately the author doesn't handle any of the profound topics introduced in the book with any tact. The imagery and descriptions were odd to say the least:
(Paraphrasing)
"The two zombies moaned like men receiving blowjobs..."
"He took a power dump and felt great..."
Main character of the story meets a woman for the first time, and in one of her first sentences she says she wouldn't mind "banging him."
It's clear the book was written for 'men.' The lack of tact and care for believable character development took away from the otherwise immersive world. There's a time and place for overtly sexualizing moments in books, but Cattle doesn't do it well, and it just feels unnecessary.
Plot: Zombies can regain their intelligence and talk.
The premise was creative enough that I wanted to the finish the book, but unfortunately the author doesn't handle any of the profound topics introduced in the book with any tact. The imagery and descriptions were odd to say the least:
(Paraphrasing)
"The two zombies moaned like men receiving blowjobs..."
"He took a power dump and felt great..."
Main character of the story meets a woman for the first time, and in one of her first sentences she says she wouldn't mind "banging him."
It's clear the book was written for 'men.' The lack of tact and care for believable character development took away from the otherwise immersive world. There's a time and place for overtly sexualizing moments in books, but Cattle doesn't do it well, and it just feels unnecessary.
June 23, 2023
Cattle looks into a disturbing and terrible world where zombies have risen and people are being farmed for food. In Duncan's world some Zs have begun to regain their intelligence, creating a spectrum of undead from the familiar stumbling droolers to smarty pants zombies that know how to hunt and organize. Oh snap! The zombies are not all bad though. Some realize and despise what they have become. This doesn't stop them from eating the living (or their less realized brothers), most of the time, but they despise it nonetheless. Duncan does a good job of taking this zombie story to dark yet interesting places and gives his characters and events plenty of spin to keep things interesting. Ian Walker's voice seems lost which is perfect with the narration too. Worth chewing on if you can stomach the content.
July 21, 2014
When is a zombie novel not a zombie novel? When the zombies can talk, drive, carry weapons and get organised... huh? Cattle also has regular zombies, but the main ones that the protagonist, Brent, has to worry about are those driving round in "meat patrols". The zombie genre has become somewhat flooded of late, and perhaps Joseph Duncan decided a new angle was required. Not quite sure what to make of it, but the good news is that Cattle is an entertaining and fast paced story that I couldn't put down, so hence the four stars.
June 5, 2015
This was my introduction to zombie books.
I am now hooked.
I was drawn in by this imaginative new world and was left wanting more when the book finished.
I think my experience was heightened as it was an audio book, the narrator brought each character to life with their own unique voice, he showed real talent and skill in this field.
I was never left in doubt as to which character I was listening to, bravo Mr Walker.
I can't wait to listen to more books from this duo.
I am now hooked.
I was drawn in by this imaginative new world and was left wanting more when the book finished.
I think my experience was heightened as it was an audio book, the narrator brought each character to life with their own unique voice, he showed real talent and skill in this field.
I was never left in doubt as to which character I was listening to, bravo Mr Walker.
I can't wait to listen to more books from this duo.
August 11, 2015
I finished listening to Cattle today and I have to say it was definitely the narrator's performance that made it for me. I was intrigued by the way he managed to give each of the character's voices distinct enough to identify yet unobtrusive enough that they did not interrupt the flow of the narrative. I also appreciated the way handled some of the more delicate subject matter. Well worth a listen, thank you.
December 4, 2015
I wasn't quite sure about this book when I first started it. It took quite a while to get used to the narrator's voice for one thing. But I'm glad I stuck with it. This is a version of a zombie apocalypse that I've never come across before: the zombie were "healed" and could think, talk, remember, act more or less human, but they still craved human flesh. So they were pretty much at the top of the food chain. The story was pretty bleak but did have moments of humor and even hope.
March 22, 2016
(Audiobook review) I agree with other reviewers that it's an interesting twist on the zombie story. Well written book, easy to follow story, believable characters, and good conclusion of the story. Joseph Duncan is definitely another author to follow.
The narration by Ian M. Walker is actually great; it grows on me as the story progressed, which didn't take long. I think this pair works great together! Looking forward to their next Audiobook.
The narration by Ian M. Walker is actually great; it grows on me as the story progressed, which didn't take long. I think this pair works great together! Looking forward to their next Audiobook.
May 24, 2015
Apologies to all who found it riveting, but I did not. The characters were well developed, and the plot was interesting and moved right along, but I simply was not properly engaged by this work.
IMW is a very good audio performer and kept me reading on even when I was yawning.
Gifted to me via Audiobook Blast
IMW is a very good audio performer and kept me reading on even when I was yawning.
Gifted to me via Audiobook Blast
November 17, 2015
I am not normally into zombie stuff, but I stumbled upon this book and it sounded okay. I really liked most of the book, and was held in suspense, and then it just kind of ended. Just stopped. I was really disappointed in the ending, so that is why it got 3 stars. Otherwise, it was an entertaining story.
May 19, 2016
Enjoyed.
Enjoyable and simple book. Was neat to read a different take on zombies. Easy to read although it seemed to jump periods of time quite a bit. I recommend to anyone who enjoys zombie stories and would like something a bit different.
Enjoyable and simple book. Was neat to read a different take on zombies. Easy to read although it seemed to jump periods of time quite a bit. I recommend to anyone who enjoys zombie stories and would like something a bit different.
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