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The Crowbar Chronicles #2
Rotting to the Core
Life in the apocalypse sucks.
Just ask Jacob O’Connor and his friends. After managing to survive the initial zombie outbreak, they thought they'd seen it all. Dead rising to devour the living, bloody battles -live and in color- until the network satellite feeds shut down and the internet went dark. The fall of modern society, basically. They considered themselves lucky to be alive.
Unfortunately, all that was only the beginning.
Now, sans backup or resources, Jake and Kat are on their own. They have to cross miles of zombie-infested territory to reunite with their friends, and then rescue the last of their companions from the raiders. If –with the help of a new ally- they can pull it off. Because their foes are quite ruthless. They possess the souls of serpents which, in all likelihood, are rotting to the core...
“S.P. Durnin’s masterful storytelling and well developed characters pull you in from the first chapter, grabbing you by the throat and holding your attention to the very last sentence. Fiction this powerful is nothing short of addicting!”
-Devan Sagliani, author of UNDEAD L.A. and ZOMBIE ATTACK!: RISE OF THE HORDE .
“Durnin pulls no punches in this thrill ride through the apocalypse!”
-Jason Brant, author of ASH and THE HUNGER DEVOURED, CONSUMED, and RAVAGED.
Just ask Jacob O’Connor and his friends. After managing to survive the initial zombie outbreak, they thought they'd seen it all. Dead rising to devour the living, bloody battles -live and in color- until the network satellite feeds shut down and the internet went dark. The fall of modern society, basically. They considered themselves lucky to be alive.
Unfortunately, all that was only the beginning.
Now, sans backup or resources, Jake and Kat are on their own. They have to cross miles of zombie-infested territory to reunite with their friends, and then rescue the last of their companions from the raiders. If –with the help of a new ally- they can pull it off. Because their foes are quite ruthless. They possess the souls of serpents which, in all likelihood, are rotting to the core...
“S.P. Durnin’s masterful storytelling and well developed characters pull you in from the first chapter, grabbing you by the throat and holding your attention to the very last sentence. Fiction this powerful is nothing short of addicting!”
-Devan Sagliani, author of UNDEAD L.A. and ZOMBIE ATTACK!: RISE OF THE HORDE .
“Durnin pulls no punches in this thrill ride through the apocalypse!”
-Jason Brant, author of ASH and THE HUNGER DEVOURED, CONSUMED, and RAVAGED.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 14, 2015
6 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 22, 2016
I can't believe I waited so long to read this series. An excellent storyline with a great group of diverse characters.
January 18, 2016
Rotting to the Core is the sequel to S.P. Durnin's hilariously sexy post-apocalypse zombie novel, Keep Your Crowbar Handy. It followed Jake, his girlfriend Laura, Laura's best friend Kat, and a number of other survivors stuck together in a survival shelter. Ultimately, the zombies managed to drive our heroes from their home and force them on a quest for a location where humanity is still in control of the planet.
Also, to confront the fact they all want to have sex with each other!
Yes, I've read a lot of zombie fiction in my time. Most of it is morbid and depressing with the obvious fact that the death of large amounts of humanity isn't exactly cheerful. There's some exceptions like the Time of Death series by Shana Festa as well as the Zombie Attack! series by Sagliani but the rule holds true.
This series, however, is one which perfectly replicates the kind of mad fun of a video game from the hyper-sexualized characters to the awesome action sequences to the over-the-top villains. If they were ever going to do a Left 4 Dead or Dead Island series of novels, they could do worse than S.P. Durnin.
The premise is Jake and Kat are trapped outside of their bunker, looking for their fellow survivors. They end up encountering a group which is attempting to deliberately pair off their warriors with "healthy specimens" and end up kidnapping Jake for that purpose. Which in a more lurid book which would be alright for Jake but he is desperate to remain faithful to his girlfriend even while falling in love with Kat.
Listen, I'm all for monogamy but I think there's a few exceptions capable of being made, one of which includes the apocalypse. As long as everyone's willing, it strikes me there's not much reason to complain. I'm not even sure the girls would mind given some of the subtext dropped. Jake, however, is determined to avoid even in the hint of impropriety even as it seems he's about the only able bodied man who isn't a Nazi or cannibal within a hundred miles.
Amusingly, despite the above fantasy elements which makes every other female ridiculously hot, I'm pleasantly surprised to say the estrogen-possessing members of the cast are well-developed. While the Double-X chromosome members of the cast all carry a torch for Jake within minutes of meeting him, they have their own histories and pasts as well as being a collection of badasses.
It's schlocky but schlocky fun.
The majority of the book isn't about Jake's oh-so-terrible problem of being pursued by a collection of katana-wielding badass warrior women like certain anime but numerous close-encounters with zombies. The undead are slaughtered in droves by our heroes in a variety of well-written, fun action sequences. When we're not fighting zombies, it's a matter of fighting Neo-Nazis led by Jake's ex-stripper girlfriend Nichole.
Did I mention this is schlocky fun?
This novel may put off some people, especially those sensitive to the kind of male fantasy elements found in your typical video game or Bond movie. There's a sense of joy in the work, however, and none of the dismissiveness which misogynist works possess about sex. No, S.P. Dunrnin very much loves women and hopes they love his character back. I, as a reader, could tell the difference.
Also, the ending hit me like a gut punch. I'd been lured into a false sense of security by the silliness.
Another trait of video games.
Well played.
Well played.
9.5/10
Merged review:
Rotting to the Core is the sequel to S.P. Durnin's hilariously sexy post-apocalypse zombie novel, Keep Your Crowbar Handy. It followed Jake, his girlfriend Laura, Laura's best friend Kat, and a number of other survivors stuck together in a survival shelter. Ultimately, the zombies managed to drive our heroes from their home and force them on a quest for a location where humanity is still in control of the planet.
Also, to confront the fact they all want to have sex with each other!
Yes, I've read a lot of zombie fiction in my time. Most of it is morbid and depressing with the obvious fact that the death of large amounts of humanity isn't exactly cheerful. There's some exceptions like the Time of Death series by Shana Festa as well as the Zombie Attack! series by Sagliani but the rule holds true.
This series, however, is one which perfectly replicates the kind of mad fun of a video game from the hyper-sexualized characters to the awesome action sequences to the over-the-top villains. If they were ever going to do a Left 4 Dead or Dead Island series of novels, they could do worse than S.P. Durnin.
The premise is Jake and Kat are trapped outside of their bunker, looking for their fellow survivors. They end up encountering a group which is attempting to deliberately pair off their warriors with "healthy specimens" and end up kidnapping Jake for that purpose. Which in a more lurid book which would be alright for Jake but he is desperate to remain faithful to his girlfriend even while falling in love with Kat.
Listen, I'm all for monogamy but I think there's a few exceptions capable of being made, one of which includes the apocalypse. As long as everyone's willing, it strikes me there's not much reason to complain. I'm not even sure the girls would mind given some of the subtext dropped. Jake, however, is determined to avoid even in the hint of impropriety even as it seems he's about the only able bodied man who isn't a Nazi or cannibal within a hundred miles.
Amusingly, despite the above fantaty elements which makes every other female ridiculously hot, I'm pleasantly surprised to say the estrogen-possessing members of the cast are well-developed. While the Double-X chromosome members of the cast all carry a torch for Jake within minutes of meeting him, they have their own histories and pasts as well as being a collection of badasses.
It's schlocky but schlocky fun.
The majority of the book isn't about Jake's oh-so-terrible problem of being pursued by a collection of katana-wielding badass warrior women like certain anime but numerous close-encounters with zombies. The undead are slaughtered in droves by our heroes in a variety of well-written, fun action sequences. When we're not fighting zombies, it's a matter of fighting Neo-Nazis led by Jake's ex-stripper girlfriend Nichole.
Did I mention this is schlocky fun?
This novel may put off some people, especially those sensitive to the kind of male fantasy elements found in your typical video game or Bond movie. There's a sense of joy in the work, however, and none of the dismissiveness which misogynist works possess about sex. No, S.P. Durnin very much loves women and hopes they love his character back. I, as a reader, could tell the difference.
Also, the ending hit me like a gut punch. I'd been lured into a false sense of security by the silliness.
Another trait of video games.
Well played.
Well played.
9.5/10
Also, to confront the fact they all want to have sex with each other!
Yes, I've read a lot of zombie fiction in my time. Most of it is morbid and depressing with the obvious fact that the death of large amounts of humanity isn't exactly cheerful. There's some exceptions like the Time of Death series by Shana Festa as well as the Zombie Attack! series by Sagliani but the rule holds true.
This series, however, is one which perfectly replicates the kind of mad fun of a video game from the hyper-sexualized characters to the awesome action sequences to the over-the-top villains. If they were ever going to do a Left 4 Dead or Dead Island series of novels, they could do worse than S.P. Durnin.
The premise is Jake and Kat are trapped outside of their bunker, looking for their fellow survivors. They end up encountering a group which is attempting to deliberately pair off their warriors with "healthy specimens" and end up kidnapping Jake for that purpose. Which in a more lurid book which would be alright for Jake but he is desperate to remain faithful to his girlfriend even while falling in love with Kat.
Listen, I'm all for monogamy but I think there's a few exceptions capable of being made, one of which includes the apocalypse. As long as everyone's willing, it strikes me there's not much reason to complain. I'm not even sure the girls would mind given some of the subtext dropped. Jake, however, is determined to avoid even in the hint of impropriety even as it seems he's about the only able bodied man who isn't a Nazi or cannibal within a hundred miles.
Amusingly, despite the above fantasy elements which makes every other female ridiculously hot, I'm pleasantly surprised to say the estrogen-possessing members of the cast are well-developed. While the Double-X chromosome members of the cast all carry a torch for Jake within minutes of meeting him, they have their own histories and pasts as well as being a collection of badasses.
It's schlocky but schlocky fun.
The majority of the book isn't about Jake's oh-so-terrible problem of being pursued by a collection of katana-wielding badass warrior women like certain anime but numerous close-encounters with zombies. The undead are slaughtered in droves by our heroes in a variety of well-written, fun action sequences. When we're not fighting zombies, it's a matter of fighting Neo-Nazis led by Jake's ex-stripper girlfriend Nichole.
Did I mention this is schlocky fun?
This novel may put off some people, especially those sensitive to the kind of male fantasy elements found in your typical video game or Bond movie. There's a sense of joy in the work, however, and none of the dismissiveness which misogynist works possess about sex. No, S.P. Dunrnin very much loves women and hopes they love his character back. I, as a reader, could tell the difference.
Also, the ending hit me like a gut punch. I'd been lured into a false sense of security by the silliness.
Another trait of video games.
Well played.
Well played.
9.5/10
Merged review:
Rotting to the Core is the sequel to S.P. Durnin's hilariously sexy post-apocalypse zombie novel, Keep Your Crowbar Handy. It followed Jake, his girlfriend Laura, Laura's best friend Kat, and a number of other survivors stuck together in a survival shelter. Ultimately, the zombies managed to drive our heroes from their home and force them on a quest for a location where humanity is still in control of the planet.
Also, to confront the fact they all want to have sex with each other!
Yes, I've read a lot of zombie fiction in my time. Most of it is morbid and depressing with the obvious fact that the death of large amounts of humanity isn't exactly cheerful. There's some exceptions like the Time of Death series by Shana Festa as well as the Zombie Attack! series by Sagliani but the rule holds true.
This series, however, is one which perfectly replicates the kind of mad fun of a video game from the hyper-sexualized characters to the awesome action sequences to the over-the-top villains. If they were ever going to do a Left 4 Dead or Dead Island series of novels, they could do worse than S.P. Durnin.
The premise is Jake and Kat are trapped outside of their bunker, looking for their fellow survivors. They end up encountering a group which is attempting to deliberately pair off their warriors with "healthy specimens" and end up kidnapping Jake for that purpose. Which in a more lurid book which would be alright for Jake but he is desperate to remain faithful to his girlfriend even while falling in love with Kat.
Listen, I'm all for monogamy but I think there's a few exceptions capable of being made, one of which includes the apocalypse. As long as everyone's willing, it strikes me there's not much reason to complain. I'm not even sure the girls would mind given some of the subtext dropped. Jake, however, is determined to avoid even in the hint of impropriety even as it seems he's about the only able bodied man who isn't a Nazi or cannibal within a hundred miles.
Amusingly, despite the above fantaty elements which makes every other female ridiculously hot, I'm pleasantly surprised to say the estrogen-possessing members of the cast are well-developed. While the Double-X chromosome members of the cast all carry a torch for Jake within minutes of meeting him, they have their own histories and pasts as well as being a collection of badasses.
It's schlocky but schlocky fun.
The majority of the book isn't about Jake's oh-so-terrible problem of being pursued by a collection of katana-wielding badass warrior women like certain anime but numerous close-encounters with zombies. The undead are slaughtered in droves by our heroes in a variety of well-written, fun action sequences. When we're not fighting zombies, it's a matter of fighting Neo-Nazis led by Jake's ex-stripper girlfriend Nichole.
Did I mention this is schlocky fun?
This novel may put off some people, especially those sensitive to the kind of male fantasy elements found in your typical video game or Bond movie. There's a sense of joy in the work, however, and none of the dismissiveness which misogynist works possess about sex. No, S.P. Durnin very much loves women and hopes they love his character back. I, as a reader, could tell the difference.
Also, the ending hit me like a gut punch. I'd been lured into a false sense of security by the silliness.
Another trait of video games.
Well played.
Well played.
9.5/10
March 24, 2024
Read : March 23, 2024
Rating : 3,5 Stars
It's so over the top and honestly, pretty irreverent 99% of the time.
Also pretty far from "pc" which gets mocked a lot in this so idk how much ppl would like it, then again I've seen ppl read other stuff that's 80 times worse and say nothing so idk.
I liked most of the action although it does transcends belief and reality it's relatively good fun.
Rating : 3,5 Stars
It's so over the top and honestly, pretty irreverent 99% of the time.
Also pretty far from "pc" which gets mocked a lot in this so idk how much ppl would like it, then again I've seen ppl read other stuff that's 80 times worse and say nothing so idk.
I liked most of the action although it does transcends belief and reality it's relatively good fun.
June 7, 2025
Repeating lines word for word from the previous book was rather annoying. Hard to finish and sad I did.
April 6, 2016
Prepare To Feel Pain!!!, April 6, 2016
By
Joan Macleod
This review is from: Rotting to the Core (Keep Your Crowbar Handy Book 2) (Kindle Edition)
This book picks up where Keep Your Crowbar Handy the first book in the series ended. After rescuing some friends from some of Poole's loathsome goons the group find themselves blocked by a horde of zombies. Jake and Kat come up with a plan to lure them away and of course that doesn't go as planned. They do end up reuniting with the group but then more obstacles come up. There are some great action packed battles with Poole's scum of the earth crew and lots of zombie action. This book makes you go through a range of emotions hope, disgust, anger, terror and sadness because of the well developed characters that you actually care about. I'm really looking forward to the third book coming soon. Well done S.P Durnin.
By
Joan Macleod
This review is from: Rotting to the Core (Keep Your Crowbar Handy Book 2) (Kindle Edition)
This book picks up where Keep Your Crowbar Handy the first book in the series ended. After rescuing some friends from some of Poole's loathsome goons the group find themselves blocked by a horde of zombies. Jake and Kat come up with a plan to lure them away and of course that doesn't go as planned. They do end up reuniting with the group but then more obstacles come up. There are some great action packed battles with Poole's scum of the earth crew and lots of zombie action. This book makes you go through a range of emotions hope, disgust, anger, terror and sadness because of the well developed characters that you actually care about. I'm really looking forward to the third book coming soon. Well done S.P Durnin.
August 6, 2015
Ok just finished book 2
Please let there be another book this writer takes you on one great ride he makes you laugh and cry not kidding cry I felt as I was on a cray roller coaster and it wasn't stopping gifted talented amazing wow
Please let there be another book this writer takes you on one great ride he makes you laugh and cry not kidding cry I felt as I was on a cray roller coaster and it wasn't stopping gifted talented amazing wow
December 22, 2015
I liked this one as much as the first. Durnin delivers a solid follow up to the first in the series. I had a hard time putting it down...I ended up reading much of it on the treadmill so I could fit my workouts in with finishing the book.
August 1, 2015
Kychb2
It is a great follow up to the first one I can barely wait to read what happens in the third installment in this series well worth the time and the money
It is a great follow up to the first one I can barely wait to read what happens in the third installment in this series well worth the time and the money
December 31, 2015
loved it, can't wait until the next book comes out
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews