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The Infected #2
Karen's First Day
Raising kids is tough. Keeping them alive as the zombie apocalypse begins is tougher. But that's exactly what stay-at-home mom Karen needs to do: fight fiercely to keep her young daughters safe as her husband Jim battles his way across the city, so they can escape the carnage together. On the worst day of her life, Karen finds that she will do anything to protect her family, and that the line between life and death has teeth.
For a Sneak Peek of Joseph Zuko's new novel Sweet Home keep reading at the end. Check out the next level of horror in the Zuko Catalog.
tags: zombie, zombie books, zombie book, zombie novel, zombie apocalypse, Female lead,
For a Sneak Peek of Joseph Zuko's new novel Sweet Home keep reading at the end. Check out the next level of horror in the Zuko Catalog.
tags: zombie, zombie books, zombie book, zombie novel, zombie apocalypse, Female lead,
- GenresZombiesHorrorApocalyptic
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 9, 2015
150 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
About the author
Joseph Zuko
16 books60 followersJoseph Zuko lives in the Pacific Northwest with his wife and daughters. The Infected: Jim's First Day was his first novel. He recently released the final chapter in The Infected Series. When he is not writing horror fiction he spends his free time with his family, playing barbies with his girls and getting ready for the next Spartan Race.
Joseph now has 8 books in The Infected series and one stand-alone horror fiction novel, Sweet Home. Sweet Home is a break from zombies to pursue a few serial killers. Make sure to find Zuko on Facebook and stay in the loop.
https://www.facebook.com/JosephZombie...
Joseph now has 8 books in The Infected series and one stand-alone horror fiction novel, Sweet Home. Sweet Home is a break from zombies to pursue a few serial killers. Make sure to find Zuko on Facebook and stay in the loop.
https://www.facebook.com/JosephZombie...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
June 26, 2019
Karen's First Day is a fast-paced, gore-fest of a zombie book with humor thrown in like so much chum. And I mean that in a good way. We first met Karen as the wife of Jim, whose own struggles to return to his wife on the first day of the infected outbreak is recounted in book one. I didn't realize that I hadn't read that book until I looked it up. No worries. This book read well for me as a stand alone.
Karen is home waiting for Jim to return when the SHTF. She's got two young toddlers who don't understand what's going on, and a blind dog named Botchy. She's in an apartment building with paper-thin walls in the city of Vancouver. Can things get any worse?
Yes, they can, and of course they do. Karen turns out to be a mom who can kick zombie ass while still changing toddlers with one hand tied behind her back. She's handy with weapons. She can read a medical manual. She can McGuyver a baby sling out of bedsheets and duct tape. And, she can find the humor in an amputated zombie arm fallen on the hood of a car with its middle finger seemingly in the air.
This book was most definitely a lot of fun - swift, sweet, and sweaty. I look forward to reading more in the series. Does Troy get his own book?
Karen is home waiting for Jim to return when the SHTF. She's got two young toddlers who don't understand what's going on, and a blind dog named Botchy. She's in an apartment building with paper-thin walls in the city of Vancouver. Can things get any worse?
Yes, they can, and of course they do. Karen turns out to be a mom who can kick zombie ass while still changing toddlers with one hand tied behind her back. She's handy with weapons. She can read a medical manual. She can McGuyver a baby sling out of bedsheets and duct tape. And, she can find the humor in an amputated zombie arm fallen on the hood of a car with its middle finger seemingly in the air.
This book was most definitely a lot of fun - swift, sweet, and sweaty. I look forward to reading more in the series. Does Troy get his own book?
June 23, 2015
Wonderful zombie apocalypse series! If you enjoyed The Infected: Jim's First Day then you'll see the same thrilling style and approach to storytelling in this version. Although there are some obvious differences, Zuko's writing style shines through and makes this book an entertaining thrill from page one. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series, already!!
July 1, 2015
The infected:Karen's first day (book two)
Awesome book picked up right where Jim's book left off,you can feel the pain in Karen's wrist,feel the pain of what she's going through wondering about her husband,and finally making it to her mother's house only to find??I can't wait untill book three comes out.
Awesome book picked up right where Jim's book left off,you can feel the pain in Karen's wrist,feel the pain of what she's going through wondering about her husband,and finally making it to her mother's house only to find??I can't wait untill book three comes out.
August 11, 2015
I like this more than the first book, very interesting plot , good characters in this second book of the trilogy. Not only splat and gore but very funny dialogues. .
Bello!!!!! Lo consiglio assolutamente!!! Tanta azione e scene splatter ma anche molte battute ironiche.....storia trilogia zombie non pigliata dalla solita minestra....
...
Bello!!!!! Lo consiglio assolutamente!!! Tanta azione e scene splatter ma anche molte battute ironiche.....storia trilogia zombie non pigliata dalla solita minestra....
...
February 3, 2020
This book is as great as book 1, so I know this is an author to watch out.
I've often read books where book 1 was underwhelming. This was not the case.
The action is just as fast-paced and intense as book 1. It starts right in the action unlike how book 1 had two boring first chapters, but that's to be expected as this book takes place mostly from Karen's perspective while the zombie outbreak begins.
Yes, the author occasionally has some rough tense changes, has some weird word choices, and sometimes describes more detail than necessary. But overall, this book still deserves five stars. If a grammar nerd like me can enjoy this book, then you know this book is worth a buy.
One scene involving Karen's mother was a little hard to follow, but other than that, the fight scenes in this book are very well done. They're graphic and intense, and showcase the horror that goes through people's minds as people become zombies.
Every moment, I wondered if the main characters would survive. The reading was tense and full of suspense. The author is also creative in describing the different types of occupations people had before they were zombies, such as old folks homes zombies and mailmen zombies.
Don't buy this book if you don't like animal zombies.
I've often read books where book 1 was underwhelming. This was not the case.
The action is just as fast-paced and intense as book 1. It starts right in the action unlike how book 1 had two boring first chapters, but that's to be expected as this book takes place mostly from Karen's perspective while the zombie outbreak begins.
Yes, the author occasionally has some rough tense changes, has some weird word choices, and sometimes describes more detail than necessary. But overall, this book still deserves five stars. If a grammar nerd like me can enjoy this book, then you know this book is worth a buy.
One scene involving Karen's mother was a little hard to follow, but other than that, the fight scenes in this book are very well done. They're graphic and intense, and showcase the horror that goes through people's minds as people become zombies.
Every moment, I wondered if the main characters would survive. The reading was tense and full of suspense. The author is also creative in describing the different types of occupations people had before they were zombies, such as old folks homes zombies and mailmen zombies.
Don't buy this book if you don't like animal zombies.
July 21, 2019
Another great instalment of this series.
June 15, 2015
I love the Moms in this book!! Karen a stay at home mom is strong, capable, clever and funny! The author creates realistic women and doesn't insult anyone's intelligence! I loved all the character development and the new additions to the cast. The children were so true to life I was instantly attached to their characters. The fast paced story gets your heart pumping just like Book One did! In a lot of movies and books authors will create a group of characters that just insult each other as their dialog as if that's the way people talk to each other. That is not how normal people communicate. I love how this book is real and shows loving families in everyday life except for when the Z hits the fan then we see them rise to the occasion and kick zombie butt!
April 9, 2018
Great zombie apocalypse story
Great zombie apocalypse story. A varied cast of characters each book is a different person or group‘s journey to find their love ones or make it to safety. Plenty of blood gets in zombies. Very well written and entertaining. Check this series out you won’t be sorry
Great zombie apocalypse story. A varied cast of characters each book is a different person or group‘s journey to find their love ones or make it to safety. Plenty of blood gets in zombies. Very well written and entertaining. Check this series out you won’t be sorry
July 16, 2015
A good level of action, but not quite as non-stop as Jim's First Day. Early on, a good portion was devoted to Karen's neighbors, but it fit in nicely. I liked the first book a bit better, but this was still a very good book. It does stand on its own, without needing to read the first book.
July 4, 2015
An excellent read
I enjoyed this book a lot along with it's companion. There is a nice mix of complicated characters and subtle dark humor pervades the story. I am looking forward to the third one.
I enjoyed this book a lot along with it's companion. There is a nice mix of complicated characters and subtle dark humor pervades the story. I am looking forward to the third one.
July 7, 2015
Go Karen!
What a series, I am literally shaking from the tears. I feel Karen's pain,her fear and her determination to protect her children. I can't wait for the next installment.
What a series, I am literally shaking from the tears. I feel Karen's pain,her fear and her determination to protect her children. I can't wait for the next installment.
January 2, 2020
So far, I've read the first two books in the Infected series. Book 1 followed Jim as the Apocolypse began and in his quest to get across town and hook up with his family. In book 2, his wife, Karen, is home with her two children awaiting Jim's arrival. She, too, has her hands full and does everything possible to keep them all safe. Their neighbor, Cliff, who lives upstairs, uses leftover material to barricade his apartment against the horde of zombies; they each have their own adventures as Cliff travels to the senior home to rescue his mother, and then his wife teams up with Karen to rescue a small child and return her to her home and family within the complex.
Karen's brother soon arrives to help in the battles - both leave with the children and travel to Karen's mother's home before Jim gets home; a surprise awaiting them upon their arrival.
All in all, I feel that this installment was better written than book one and kept my interest intact. I will be starting the next book in the series where Jim and his group travel to Karen's mother's home to rejoin the family. So far, I'd recommend both books in the series. Joe Zuko does an excellent job at describing the scenes and fighting - making readers believe they are standing right there with the characters. Great job!
Karen's brother soon arrives to help in the battles - both leave with the children and travel to Karen's mother's home before Jim gets home; a surprise awaiting them upon their arrival.
All in all, I feel that this installment was better written than book one and kept my interest intact. I will be starting the next book in the series where Jim and his group travel to Karen's mother's home to rejoin the family. So far, I'd recommend both books in the series. Joe Zuko does an excellent job at describing the scenes and fighting - making readers believe they are standing right there with the characters. Great job!
December 14, 2019
Damn, I love this series. I breezed through the first two books and look forward to getting the third in the series. In this book, Karen finds herself at the dawn of a zombie apocalypse. From the point she realizes what is happening, she goes into full Mama Bear mode. How far will she go to protect her children. Praying her apartment is safe and hoping her husband Jim gets home from work safely, she will do everything she needs to do and test her own strength and body to protect her little girls. Author Zuko does a great job of showing what an average person will do and how they will act in this crisis. Keep up the great work.
October 23, 2020
Love this series. Writing this after listening to the first 5 books. Starting 6 today.
The characters are just your every day normal people. Think you and your neighbors! You get an almost minute by minute play out of the first day of the zombie outbreak. The action is nonstop. Karen is a bad ass and I love her!
She will do anything to keep her girls safe!
We get to meet the neighbors and work with them to survive. The action in this one is nonstop as well. This is a great series! I’ve been binging it!
Gwendolyn Druyor did an amazing job narrating.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review
The characters are just your every day normal people. Think you and your neighbors! You get an almost minute by minute play out of the first day of the zombie outbreak. The action is nonstop. Karen is a bad ass and I love her!
She will do anything to keep her girls safe!
We get to meet the neighbors and work with them to survive. The action in this one is nonstop as well. This is a great series! I’ve been binging it!
Gwendolyn Druyor did an amazing job narrating.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review
September 26, 2019
Not a bad tail just a.stupid writer can't spell facts are not facts only thing in context is.the foul language of you can't write a book use a lot of cussing seems to be this person's attitude doesn't work to sell but if you can't write change someone's story a little as a lot of curse words and.call it a book, wrong! Writing sucks writer not so bright
T needs to go back to 1 st grade and this time listen and learn or hes just stupid and can't be helped ? or maybe uses to many drugs and is burnt out
T needs to go back to 1 st grade and this time listen and learn or hes just stupid and can't be helped ? or maybe uses to many drugs and is burnt out
March 25, 2020
Another zombie story?
I admit that I am obsessed with zombie books. I get as many new ones as I can. This story is just a bit different in that it also encompasses a sweet love story too. It is a fast moving story, and it sure isn't boring in any way, shape, or form. I cannot wait to read the next in line! I do not regret this purchase and recommend it to everyone that enjoys this genre.
I admit that I am obsessed with zombie books. I get as many new ones as I can. This story is just a bit different in that it also encompasses a sweet love story too. It is a fast moving story, and it sure isn't boring in any way, shape, or form. I cannot wait to read the next in line! I do not regret this purchase and recommend it to everyone that enjoys this genre.
March 28, 2018
Book one and two
You really fall in love with the characters. I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out who's going to make it and when will Karen and Jim see each other again. Hopefully they will see each other sooner than later. Can't wait to get started on th e next book.
You really fall in love with the characters. I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out who's going to make it and when will Karen and Jim see each other again. Hopefully they will see each other sooner than later. Can't wait to get started on th e next book.
September 8, 2023
The author tells the other half of the beginning of a zombie apocalypse in the Portland, Oregon metro area. Book 1 was Jim's experience; Book 2 gave us the side of his wife, Karen. Jim's day royally sucked, but he's got nothing over on Karen. Wow. The author is not pulling any punches!
Definitely enjoyed the read, and I've moved right on into book 3!
Definitely enjoyed the read, and I've moved right on into book 3!
March 25, 2018
Another installment of epicness!
I have thoroughly enjoyed these books! Lots of gore, excitement and fantastic characters! Just when you think something will go right, boom! Sideways! A grand adventure in horror start to finish.
I have thoroughly enjoyed these books! Lots of gore, excitement and fantastic characters! Just when you think something will go right, boom! Sideways! A grand adventure in horror start to finish.
May 27, 2018
Blood,Guts And Gore
Excellent ,,first theres jim trying to get home ,then theres karen trying to keep their girls safe,and through it all i feel like my heart is in my throat,,,scary ? Yes,bloody?oh my yes,,worth the money to buy? Big time yes!!!!
Excellent ,,first theres jim trying to get home ,then theres karen trying to keep their girls safe,and through it all i feel like my heart is in my throat,,,scary ? Yes,bloody?oh my yes,,worth the money to buy? Big time yes!!!!
January 7, 2019
Great read
This book wasn't just about Karen Jim's wife. It was also about their neighbor's Cliff and Tina. We watch as this two families fight to stay alive during horrible infection spend like crazy around. Awesome read! Now going to start book 3.
This book wasn't just about Karen Jim's wife. It was also about their neighbor's Cliff and Tina. We watch as this two families fight to stay alive during horrible infection spend like crazy around. Awesome read! Now going to start book 3.
March 20, 2020
Good one!
I loved the first two books, and am going to dive into the next one in just a little while. What a great job of introducing the characters and starting the ball rolling with a bang. You have to read these books.
I loved the first two books, and am going to dive into the next one in just a little while. What a great job of introducing the characters and starting the ball rolling with a bang. You have to read these books.
July 20, 2020
Zombies vs Mama Bear
So far so good as book number two sends the reader on a rip ride where the stakes are even higher. Each chapter is nonstop as Karen, the protagonist from book one's wife must figure a way to navigate the undead hordes with a couple of todlers.
So far so good as book number two sends the reader on a rip ride where the stakes are even higher. Each chapter is nonstop as Karen, the protagonist from book one's wife must figure a way to navigate the undead hordes with a couple of todlers.
September 5, 2020
I loved that the second book is about Jim’s wife. The second book was great and a different perspective on the outbreak. A mom having to deal with everything is riveting. Looking forward to listening to the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2018
Another wow
Not as much humor, but still an excellent read. The pace is fast and totally engrossing!! Recommend it highly! An excellent read!
Not as much humor, but still an excellent read. The pace is fast and totally engrossing!! Recommend it highly! An excellent read!
September 5, 2019
I thought it was brilliantly written. Great follow up to Jim's First Day.
September 5, 2019
Book number two by Zuko is just as good as the first. I love seeing what went down with Karen and the girls were up to while Joe was fighting his way to reach his family.
December 5, 2019
Great book!
Zhukov is a heat apocalypse writer. Keeps you engaged and on the edge of your seat. I highly recommend him!
Zhukov is a heat apocalypse writer. Keeps you engaged and on the edge of your seat. I highly recommend him!
January 27, 2020
Page turner!
I loved reading this! Can't wait to reAd book 3. It's a page turner and worth the read. Zuko is an awesome writer!
I loved reading this! Can't wait to reAd book 3. It's a page turner and worth the read. Zuko is an awesome writer!
March 4, 2020
Hang on to the edge of your seat your in for a heck of a ride with this book
Zombie books aren’t my usual choice for reading but I’m so glad I decided to give this one a try !
Zombie books aren’t my usual choice for reading but I’m so glad I decided to give this one a try !
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews