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The Undying: #2
The Undying: Shades
The Undying “screams for a sequel” (Publishers Weekly)—and Ethan Reid delivers, in this riveting follow-up to “a thriller that brings a genuinely fresh take to a monstrous mythology” (Andrew Pyper, #1 bestselling author of The Demonologist).
THE FATE OF THE WORLD IS IN HIS HANDS.
The Undying: SHADES finds American student Jeanie and her young charge, Ren, fifteen years after the EMP that wiped out Paris and sent them on the run from the undying. Walking the highways and hiding out in abandoned buildings across France, they eventually find their way to Spain and the walled city of Ronda where a few dozen survivors have gathered—safe enough from the hunting undying, but facing a new threat on the scorched planet: starvation.
With their main resource—humans—bordering on extinction, the undying have weakened, retreating to their hives and slowly withering away. But not for long. A dark presence arrives, casting its shadow across Spain, reawakening the hives and creating a new breed of monster. Driven by some alien intelligence, these Shades not only reanimate the undying, but can possess the living, turning survivors against one another.
When Ronda comes under attack, Ren saves the day. As the youngest human left on earth, he has been blessed with a special gift that makes him a perfect killing machine—and the last hope of humanity. Forced to leave the safety of the barricades, he takes to the highways with a company of Spaniards who intend to eradicate the undying from Europe, hive by hive, using Ren as their secret weapon. But as they approach Sevilla to face the most powerful Shade yet, Ren learns some in his company aren’t all they appear to be…
THE FATE OF THE WORLD IS IN HIS HANDS.
The Undying: SHADES finds American student Jeanie and her young charge, Ren, fifteen years after the EMP that wiped out Paris and sent them on the run from the undying. Walking the highways and hiding out in abandoned buildings across France, they eventually find their way to Spain and the walled city of Ronda where a few dozen survivors have gathered—safe enough from the hunting undying, but facing a new threat on the scorched planet: starvation.
With their main resource—humans—bordering on extinction, the undying have weakened, retreating to their hives and slowly withering away. But not for long. A dark presence arrives, casting its shadow across Spain, reawakening the hives and creating a new breed of monster. Driven by some alien intelligence, these Shades not only reanimate the undying, but can possess the living, turning survivors against one another.
When Ronda comes under attack, Ren saves the day. As the youngest human left on earth, he has been blessed with a special gift that makes him a perfect killing machine—and the last hope of humanity. Forced to leave the safety of the barricades, he takes to the highways with a company of Spaniards who intend to eradicate the undying from Europe, hive by hive, using Ren as their secret weapon. But as they approach Sevilla to face the most powerful Shade yet, Ren learns some in his company aren’t all they appear to be…
309 pages, Paperback
First published May 12, 2015
1 person is currently reading
477 people want to read
About the author
Ethan Reid
20 books21 followersEthan Reid received his BA in English with Writing Emphasis from the University of Washington and his MFA from the University of Southern California’s MPW Program, where he studied under author S.L. Stebel, Oscar-nominated screenwriter Sy Gomberg, and Oscar-winning screenwriter Frank Tarloff.
Ethan is a member of the Horror Writers Association, the International Thriller Writers and the Pacific Northwest Writers Association. Ethan currently lives in Seattle.
Ethan is a member of the Horror Writers Association, the International Thriller Writers and the Pacific Northwest Writers Association. Ethan currently lives in Seattle.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 2, 2015
The Undying: Shades is a strong improvement from book one in an already good option for fans of post apocalyptic horror. The character focus engaged more and strengths in the first book showed maturity and fine tuning. The series still lacks a little in so far as it isn't among the best post-apocalyptic horror I've read, but Ethan Reid's trajectory of improvement from book one to two could put him in that company, if not in the final book of the Undying trilogy, then in books soon after. He did a great job with this series giving us a new setting and enough of a twist on the monster and "magic" to make this series stand out from the crowd.
For those who have read the first book, The Undying, (hint, don't read on if you haven't), I really liked the change in focus from POV to Reny. His gift is the most interesting aspect to this world, and we get to see how that affects him and how he uses it as the underdog, youngest person alive. The "mother" is still involved, and has moments that I enjoyed, but overall, this story is mostly about Reny, and that's a good thing. The gang that he goes out with for most of the story is also more interesting than the gang book one focused on. This made the deaths more impactful and created more of a thrill in the face of danger. I was truly surprised with how each person's life or death turned out, and really was surprised through to the end.
The audiobook narrator, Candace Thaxton, is the same as the first book, and that's great news. She does a stellar job with the French and is flawless everywhere else. She isn't among my top five, but she's good.
Overall, while the first book was good, but left me at times wondering if I'd stick with this series, this book has solidified my interest in Ethan Reid as a story teller. I'm not sure this series has enough character interest for me to make the next book a jump to the top of my queue purchase, but I like what I've seen from Reid and would recommend him as an author to look out for.
For those who have read the first book, The Undying, (hint, don't read on if you haven't), I really liked the change in focus from POV to Reny. His gift is the most interesting aspect to this world, and we get to see how that affects him and how he uses it as the underdog, youngest person alive. The "mother" is still involved, and has moments that I enjoyed, but overall, this story is mostly about Reny, and that's a good thing. The gang that he goes out with for most of the story is also more interesting than the gang book one focused on. This made the deaths more impactful and created more of a thrill in the face of danger. I was truly surprised with how each person's life or death turned out, and really was surprised through to the end.
The audiobook narrator, Candace Thaxton, is the same as the first book, and that's great news. She does a stellar job with the French and is flawless everywhere else. She isn't among my top five, but she's good.
Overall, while the first book was good, but left me at times wondering if I'd stick with this series, this book has solidified my interest in Ethan Reid as a story teller. I'm not sure this series has enough character interest for me to make the next book a jump to the top of my queue purchase, but I like what I've seen from Reid and would recommend him as an author to look out for.
July 28, 2015
I received this book from Goodreads.
For most of this book I had trouble getting into it because of the language barrier. There is a lot of Spanish in this book, mostly in the spoken conversations. Some of it was easy to guess and obvious, but some of it...not so much. Reading this book was sooo slow going and I eventually gave up looking up the words online.
It really frustrated me! I had to accept the fact that whatever was being spoken to between characters would be mostly unknown.
Although The Undying: Shades has the huge language problem doesn't mean this book was terrible. In fact, the opposite. This book is amazing! Intense, gory, well written, depressing, descriptive, suspense for days, scary real characters, amazing plot....The list goes on and on.
I ended up loving this book more than I hated it. And I hated it a lot. It really got under my skin that I couldn't understand what was being said, but the subduction of a good After Apocalypse book overcame (mostly) that very large hurtle.
For most of this book I had trouble getting into it because of the language barrier. There is a lot of Spanish in this book, mostly in the spoken conversations. Some of it was easy to guess and obvious, but some of it...not so much. Reading this book was sooo slow going and I eventually gave up looking up the words online.
It really frustrated me! I had to accept the fact that whatever was being spoken to between characters would be mostly unknown.
Although The Undying: Shades has the huge language problem doesn't mean this book was terrible. In fact, the opposite. This book is amazing! Intense, gory, well written, depressing, descriptive, suspense for days, scary real characters, amazing plot....The list goes on and on.
I ended up loving this book more than I hated it. And I hated it a lot. It really got under my skin that I couldn't understand what was being said, but the subduction of a good After Apocalypse book overcame (mostly) that very large hurtle.
October 1, 2020
Such a good continuation of a unique apocalyptic tale. Set in Spain Ren and his mother have found a home in a small town called Romba. He is now 14 years old and has the ability to shut off all emotion and become invisible to the undead. This has been his and his mothers secret all of their lives until an attack on the town reveals this gift to the townsfolk and a visiting group of warriors set on freeing the cities one by one of the shadows that feed the undead. He ends up having to flee with this group and leave his mother behind. He learns more about how to use his gift as they travel to Seville to infiltrate a hive that has controlled the area for some time. I am very much looking forward to the final book in this trilogy.
June 23, 2023
Shades serves up like a delicious second course at a banquet of horror. It compliments, meets and exceeds the flavors laid out in the first novel. Reid continues his Undying series with a tale that is exciting and terrifying and filled with characters that are both bold and real. As the few remaining humans struggle to survive the undead are evolving - driven by a dark force deep in the ground - and hell bent on devouring them all. The background and settings are like a sauce that he masterfully crafts from the bold tastes of Gothic, Apocalypse, Zombie and Lovecraft styles. As narrator; Candace Thaxton sets the table and delivers the story in a way that draws you into the vibrant, violent and chaotic after-world. I seldom give 5 stars but Reid and Thaxton have earned it with this one. Can't wait for the third course!
March 28, 2016
The second book in the post-apocalyptic Undying series jumps forward in time to Ren's adolescence. He was born on the first day of the end of the world. Now he has grown up in a world without civilization or safety. Pursued by people who have died but not died--the moribund--returning as beasts whose only desire is to kill and consume those who still hang onto life. Ren is tired of sitting behind barricades, his community destined to slowly starve to death as food stores near their settlement dwindle. New visitors--who claim to be hunters of the undying, clearing them out of city after city--and sudden tragedy are the sparks that ignite Ren to fly the nest, leaving the safety of his foster-mother Jeanie's side, to finally stand on his own two.
May 24, 2015
This is book two in the series and I recommend you read book one first to understand why the world is this way. Jeanie and Ren have survived the undead by traveling throughout Europe, staying ahead of the dead. Humans are scarce. Well written with violence and a good catch for book three. For fans of Justin Cronin.
August 23, 2015
Won this hear on goodreads. I only wish that I had read book 1 first, but Ethan Reid is such a talented author that I didn't feel I had missed anything. I am a huge fan of The Walking Dead, but this is like The Walking Dead on steroids. I cannot wait to read book 3.
August 26, 2016
Undying Shades is a strong second novel. I'm really excited for book three, and I say that as a reader who has really cut down on series reading. Reid keeps things going with changes in the undying and a brief look at the creature in Rio that rules them all.
October 9, 2016
A lot better then the first book bus still not good enough for a 5-starer for me. Great to see some much needed character development, some great plot twists and interesting mystery-like secondary info that propels the book story ahead.
February 21, 2016
Well written and holds my interest. This book is one of the best I have read in quite a while. I received this book free but would have been happy to pay for it.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews