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Dead & Alive #1
Survive
Great Britain has been evacuated and quarantined, access is forbidden. When a mysterious message is received, they send in a Army Section to investigate. What they discover will send them on a journey through hell, can they survive, can they make it out within 24 hours.
112 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2015
19 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
I.J. Smith
21 books13 followersIan John Smith, born May 1981 in Portsmouth England. My childhood was one of hardship, growing up in a poor household. Many of my memories were that of survival, growing up with a father unable to read and who followed a life of crime. To this day he tells me his greatest achievement was making sure I never followed in his footsteps and what joy he got from watching me read a book. Each day there was a struggle to put food on the table. As an only child my life was a lonely one, I filled my life with a love of books. From the brilliance of Roald Dahl to the amazing inspiration of William Shakespeare.
Growing up in a tough family made me a survivor and that meant my passion for writing always came last, working long hours in a Factory from the age of seventeen. That was until fate intervened many years later, diagnosed with a bad heart. There is a long fancy medical name for it, but I decided long ago to never let it stop me. I have to thank that moment in my life, it made me realize we have to follow our dreams. Whatever path they lead. I took a job for less money as a projectionist, this allowed me to have the time to write. It may have been a scribble on a scrappy piece of paper or a story of meaning, it never mattered it was my passion. Never dreaming of publishing my work, I was happy to enjoy the work for myself.
Little did I know fate would intervene again, My mother, Sandra who passed away so suddenly forcing me to make changes to my life. My father Michael terminally ill himself needed someone, being an only child, I made it my responsibility.
I left my second job due to fate, but along the path I realized I wanted to write. Now my work, maybe ridiculed it maybe considered inferior, but that does not matter. What matters is I finally get to live my dream. I am not a writer looking for wealth or fame I am just a man looking to live his dream.
Now I will publish stories I enjoy, from short stories to Novels. I will also be publishing work in a series format. This is my beginning.
Growing up in a tough family made me a survivor and that meant my passion for writing always came last, working long hours in a Factory from the age of seventeen. That was until fate intervened many years later, diagnosed with a bad heart. There is a long fancy medical name for it, but I decided long ago to never let it stop me. I have to thank that moment in my life, it made me realize we have to follow our dreams. Whatever path they lead. I took a job for less money as a projectionist, this allowed me to have the time to write. It may have been a scribble on a scrappy piece of paper or a story of meaning, it never mattered it was my passion. Never dreaming of publishing my work, I was happy to enjoy the work for myself.
Little did I know fate would intervene again, My mother, Sandra who passed away so suddenly forcing me to make changes to my life. My father Michael terminally ill himself needed someone, being an only child, I made it my responsibility.
I left my second job due to fate, but along the path I realized I wanted to write. Now my work, maybe ridiculed it maybe considered inferior, but that does not matter. What matters is I finally get to live my dream. I am not a writer looking for wealth or fame I am just a man looking to live his dream.
Now I will publish stories I enjoy, from short stories to Novels. I will also be publishing work in a series format. This is my beginning.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 18, 2015
I love a great zombie story and this is definitely one. It's a wild, fast paced and action packed story of survival in Great Britain after a virus has felled millions. A small Special Forces team is dropped in to rescue one man. They are not given much to go on so soon they are in over their heads. The characters are well developed with some you root for and others who hope will become zombie chow. There are tense moments, drama, prepping for survival and lots of zombies. When they find a small group of survivors the mission totally changes. There is a great twist towards the end of the book which really has me looking forward to the next book in the series. Well done I. J. Smith .
November 28, 2015
( I was lucky to receive a copy from the author, so leaving my review now)
I read a lot of zombie books. I mean A LOT, so it is nice to read something new and refreshing. And that is this book in a nut shell. The characters are fully fleshed out. You have those you like and those you love to hate. As in screaming at them hate.☺ This book is not long but packs a lot into its pages. Will make a good Christmas gift for the zombie lover in someone you love. Grab it, get a drink and begin.
I read a lot of zombie books. I mean A LOT, so it is nice to read something new and refreshing. And that is this book in a nut shell. The characters are fully fleshed out. You have those you like and those you love to hate. As in screaming at them hate.☺ This book is not long but packs a lot into its pages. Will make a good Christmas gift for the zombie lover in someone you love. Grab it, get a drink and begin.
May 1, 2016
Good storyline
This was a challenge to read. Although the storyline worked well the lack of editing and proofreading made the story hard to follow. I can overlook a few punctuation errors or misuse of the correct spelling of a word but this book had too many. I hope that the author gets himself a good editor because I did enjoy the storyline. I will read his second book in the series because everyone deserves a second chance.
This was a challenge to read. Although the storyline worked well the lack of editing and proofreading made the story hard to follow. I can overlook a few punctuation errors or misuse of the correct spelling of a word but this book had too many. I hope that the author gets himself a good editor because I did enjoy the storyline. I will read his second book in the series because everyone deserves a second chance.
December 20, 2015
Awesome
This book is awesome. I'm so glad I bought it. Your enchanted from the moment you pick it up. I could put it down. Buy the book, you won't be disappointed! I can't wait to read the next one!
This book is awesome. I'm so glad I bought it. Your enchanted from the moment you pick it up. I could put it down. Buy the book, you won't be disappointed! I can't wait to read the next one!
June 30, 2017
A great story, packed with hard hitting action, authentic characters who you can really empathise with, and lots of zombies. Smith has done a great job setting the scene for this series and the hero is one you can't fail to cheer for. Bravo!
August 19, 2018
Quick and to the point
If you like the zompoc genre then you will love this book. The author doesn’t mess around with details and needless fluff. he grabs you by the back of the neck and by the seat of your britches and tosses your butt right into a stinking mess of zombie guts and limbs.
It starts with little to no preamble then smashes into your head like a baseball bat into a watermelon and with the same results, yeah a mess.
The story follows the same vein as we have become accustomed to..military , govt , soldiers , civilians , oh yeah the freaking zombies ... overrun a country , turn everyone into zombies, send in few soldiers to do something special..
Now I am not going to give much away just try not to get bitten because Jack simply doesn’t react well to that..and if you are a whiny little weasel you might just get a punch in the face..try to be a good boy cause he may just toss you ....well read and find out....
So read and enjoy
If you like the zompoc genre then you will love this book. The author doesn’t mess around with details and needless fluff. he grabs you by the back of the neck and by the seat of your britches and tosses your butt right into a stinking mess of zombie guts and limbs.
It starts with little to no preamble then smashes into your head like a baseball bat into a watermelon and with the same results, yeah a mess.
The story follows the same vein as we have become accustomed to..military , govt , soldiers , civilians , oh yeah the freaking zombies ... overrun a country , turn everyone into zombies, send in few soldiers to do something special..
Now I am not going to give much away just try not to get bitten because Jack simply doesn’t react well to that..and if you are a whiny little weasel you might just get a punch in the face..try to be a good boy cause he may just toss you ....well read and find out....
So read and enjoy
September 23, 2017
Must read
This is my first book by this author. Set in England which I love. Characters very interesting and easy to care for. Excellent twist at the end. Isolated Zombieland. World obvious to what is going on in quarantined Great Britian. Time for me to read book 2!
This is my first book by this author. Set in England which I love. Characters very interesting and easy to care for. Excellent twist at the end. Isolated Zombieland. World obvious to what is going on in quarantined Great Britian. Time for me to read book 2!
September 20, 2017
Short and sweet with a lot of action. British sayings are scattered throughout, not so enough to confuse an American brain. Love Jack and want to be next in line to punch Ryan.
October 29, 2017
An action packed apocalyptic adventure based in Great Britain. I really enjoyed this story and love the entire series. The story pushes and pulls you to the brink from begining to end
June 16, 2018
Great plot and loads of room for growth & minor improvements . I am looking forward to reading the next instalment.
May 4, 2020
Greatest zombie books ever
August 4, 2020
Dead & Alive
This was an okay fast read. With some help and polish there might be a decent book here. It just needs a bit more work.
This was an okay fast read. With some help and polish there might be a decent book here. It just needs a bit more work.
May 28, 2023
Good story, horrendous editing.
I should say almost no editing. I hope the rest of the series has better editing. It really takes you out of the story.
I should say almost no editing. I hope the rest of the series has better editing. It really takes you out of the story.
January 14, 2017
Ok so i know what most people might think, that this is similar to all the other zombie books out there. Well it's actually quite different. I love how I.J. Smith made me connect with the characters so easily and how he put his own twist on the virus outbreak. A team is lead into England after a 'virus' was spread throughout the country. Little do they know that the 'virus' is more so in the form of the living dead. They have to fight to survive not only the zombies but also a group of people who can only be described as animalistic.
Not wanting to throw any spoilers in this review so i wont say much more about what goes on but I will say that this was a great short story and i look forward to reading the rest of the series as i'm sure it can only get better from here. I would love to know what happens to Jack and his friends as they uncover the truth and continue to fight for their lives.
I only give this a 4 star due to a few grammatical mistakes and a few typos but i wouldn't say there are enough to put someone off the book and certainly not enough to lower any more stars. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and would encourage others to give it a go and I can guarentee you will love it to :D
Not wanting to throw any spoilers in this review so i wont say much more about what goes on but I will say that this was a great short story and i look forward to reading the rest of the series as i'm sure it can only get better from here. I would love to know what happens to Jack and his friends as they uncover the truth and continue to fight for their lives.
I only give this a 4 star due to a few grammatical mistakes and a few typos but i wouldn't say there are enough to put someone off the book and certainly not enough to lower any more stars. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and would encourage others to give it a go and I can guarentee you will love it to :D
April 15, 2016
I couldn't believe how I sucked into this book got . I loved how the author sets up the story just after things started happening. This is set as the military in the background , our group of spunky zombie killers are all from the military. Jack is our unlikely hero trying to keep everyone together. They keep moving and hunting and just trying to survive .
Jack is the type of character that you will want to be in your corner . he is tough and yet he cares for all of the survivors . He is all man but also has a caring side . He and the rest of the survivors. They make a great team and will do anything to survive .
This was a great story , that flowed really well. The characters were well developed and you can't help care about them . They will make you laugh and you will shed some tears along the way . There is action from the very first page , you will be sitting on the edge of your seat through the whole story. You can tell the author poured his all into his characters . This is the first book I have read by this author and I cant wait to read more .
Read
April 15, 2016I love zombie apocalypse stories and I immediately was drawn into this one from the first chapter! It started out intriguingly with a group having to go into a quarantined Great Britain with no idea what they will be facing. What ensues when the group reaches their destination is one of desperation as they try to stay alive and fight against the man eating creatures and marauding killers that would like nothing more than to make them their prisoners! The action is non-stop in this amazing story that is filled with many characters that are so important to the outcome of their mission. You will have to definitely read this to find out what they face and if they make it to the rendezvous location to make it back home safely! I am really looking forward to reading the next book in this series and have it already downloaded and ready to go! Thank you Mr. Smith for an exciting new adventure to lose myself in!
April 10, 2016
Zombie story with heart
It seems everywhere one turns, there is another zombie story.
This was a VERY GOOD story in which the characters are so well done, you start to care what happens to them!
For a first novel, I thought I.J. Smith did a bang-up job! The ONLY reason I could not, in good conscience, give this book five stars were problems an editor could fix ('patients' instead of 'patience' for example). Notwithstanding this, I am very much looking forward to reading the next in the series. ☺️
It seems everywhere one turns, there is another zombie story.
This was a VERY GOOD story in which the characters are so well done, you start to care what happens to them!
For a first novel, I thought I.J. Smith did a bang-up job! The ONLY reason I could not, in good conscience, give this book five stars were problems an editor could fix ('patients' instead of 'patience' for example). Notwithstanding this, I am very much looking forward to reading the next in the series. ☺️
May 21, 2016
Before you read this ... get your hands on DEAD & ALIVE: OUTBREAK ... a short story that will welcome you to the DEAD & ALIVE series. If you don't already know I.J. Smith, you will. After you read OUTBREAK, you'll be more than in the mood for SURVIVE, Book 1 ... the beginning of a zombie series that will keep you on our feet and running all the way through. Pick up a copy and discover that there's more to fear than "just" zombies here.
May 30, 2016
Surviving
This is the first book that I have read from this author. I love finding new authors and trying them to see how their writing stands up to what I like to read and I can safely say that Mr. I..J .Smith has succeeded. I will be anxiously awaiting for the second book to come out so I can find out how the survivors are doing against the zombies. I definitely would recommend this book.
This is the first book that I have read from this author. I love finding new authors and trying them to see how their writing stands up to what I like to read and I can safely say that Mr. I..J .Smith has succeeded. I will be anxiously awaiting for the second book to come out so I can find out how the survivors are doing against the zombies. I definitely would recommend this book.
April 8, 2016
Love it! .
Read it in one sitting. Action packed and fast paced. Came to love the characters, especially Jack. On to the next book! Really suggest you try it if you like zombie books
Read it in one sitting. Action packed and fast paced. Came to love the characters, especially Jack. On to the next book! Really suggest you try it if you like zombie books
September 5, 2016
Enjoyable zombie/post-apocalyptic book, but the editing needs a lot of improvement. It was often difficult to follow the dialogue; there was a lack of delineation of who was talking a lot of the time. But, still an enjoyable read for the zombie fanatic!
May 4, 2016
Very cool.
Half a dozen brave men and women get sent on an important mission into the heart of hell. You won't believe what they have to go through to complete their mission.
Half a dozen brave men and women get sent on an important mission into the heart of hell. You won't believe what they have to go through to complete their mission.
October 14, 2016
I loved this book! Great read. Loved the brave unselfish characters. Except the one that I would like to punch in the nose! You know how I mean, when you read the book!!
December 2, 2016
Bloody good
Over this book fast and bloody good read can't wait to read next book in series and hope its just as good
Over this book fast and bloody good read can't wait to read next book in series and hope its just as good
July 18, 2016
Enjoyed this story, looking forward to the next story in the series.
Merged review:
I read a lot of zombie stories and this one is right up there with the others. I found the characters were well written and I want to know more about them. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. I would highly recommend this series to anyone who likes reading zombie books. Three thumbs up!
Merged review:
I read a lot of zombie stories and this one is right up there with the others. I found the characters were well written and I want to know more about them. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. I would highly recommend this series to anyone who likes reading zombie books. Three thumbs up!
July 2, 2017
OMG!!! This will keep you on the edge of your seat and biting your nails! The characters are so realistic and the plot so well laid out its awesome! Jack turns out to be not only a hero......but crazy too....but in a good way! This author has a talent unmatched by any I have read. If you like the apocalyptic genre that's full of action and suspense.....this is whose books you want to read! I cannot wait to see what's next!!!!
October 3, 2017
Dead & Alive is a quick zombie read. I.J.Smith did a great job sucking you into this world full of death,evil, and pain.
I cant wait to read book 2.
Review by Untold Thoughts Book Blog
I cant wait to read book 2.
Review by Untold Thoughts Book Blog
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews