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Year of the Zombie #2
The Plague Winter
Following the devastating outbreak of an alien virus, Eddie and his young grandson struggle to survive within the wasteland of Great Britain. They live day-to-day, scavenging among the ruins, trying to avoid the deadly infected that now roam the land. But Eddie has other demons to conquer: a longstanding drink problem that needs to be kept in check if he wants to keep both himself and his young charge alive.
When a stranger enters their lives, seeking help, Eddie is forced to make a choice that could alter their lives forever.
THE PLAGUE WINTER is a standalone novella set within the same world as THE LAST PLAGUE and THE LAST OUTPOST.
When a stranger enters their lives, seeking help, Eddie is forced to make a choice that could alter their lives forever.
THE PLAGUE WINTER is a standalone novella set within the same world as THE LAST PLAGUE and THE LAST OUTPOST.
84 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 29, 2016
52 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 26, 2022
Melancholic!
Eddie and his grandson, Sam, are survivors of the zombie apocalypse. Not only must Eddie battle the living dead, daily, but he also has another battle to fight.
Each day he must keep secret from Sam, his battle with alcoholism. Although he is young, Sam is not as unaware as he thinks he is, or as he would like.
Sam is as concerned with his Grandfather’s drinking as he is with the loneliness of being the only remaining humans on the Earth. He is afraid that, if they come across any other people, his grandfather will kill them.
Eddie exists only for Sam. He is old and tired, and yes, he does drink too much, but the only thing that matters to his life, other than a drink, is Sam!
But what will happen if they discover that they may not be alone?
Eddie and his grandson, Sam, are survivors of the zombie apocalypse. Not only must Eddie battle the living dead, daily, but he also has another battle to fight.
Each day he must keep secret from Sam, his battle with alcoholism. Although he is young, Sam is not as unaware as he thinks he is, or as he would like.
Sam is as concerned with his Grandfather’s drinking as he is with the loneliness of being the only remaining humans on the Earth. He is afraid that, if they come across any other people, his grandfather will kill them.
Eddie exists only for Sam. He is old and tired, and yes, he does drink too much, but the only thing that matters to his life, other than a drink, is Sam!
But what will happen if they discover that they may not be alone?
April 26, 2022
Hawkins can write and there can be no doubt about that. But...man oh man is his stuff bleak!
If you love fanfreakingtastic writing, and don't mind a bleak or sometimes ambiguous ending, then this is for you!I
If you love fanfreakingtastic writing, and don't mind a bleak or sometimes ambiguous ending, then this is for you!I
February 9, 2016
This was a fun little trip back into the world created by Rich Hawkins’ twisted, demented imagination. It always amazes me, the concoctions that some literary artists can conjure up.
While The Plague Winter is set in the same world as The Last Plague, a reader could easily jump into this world with this short story, or is it a novella? I don’t know, it’s under a hundred pages and packed with an incredible punch.
The Plague Winter has a small cast of characters. Eddie, a chronic alcoholic, and his grandson, Sam. The small cast allows us to quickly connect with Eddie. He is a tormented soul, just trying to do the right thing, while at the same time, keeping his grandson alive in this hostile world.
When it comes right down to it, The Plague Winter is a scruples book, when the world goes to hell, what comes first, family or your own humanity? This is a question not easily answered, or is it?
Rich Hawkins has packed all of this together in a perfect little package. It is dark and gloomy and real. Rich Hawkins has the makings to be a staple in my reading library.
*4.5 Stars
While The Plague Winter is set in the same world as The Last Plague, a reader could easily jump into this world with this short story, or is it a novella? I don’t know, it’s under a hundred pages and packed with an incredible punch.
The Plague Winter has a small cast of characters. Eddie, a chronic alcoholic, and his grandson, Sam. The small cast allows us to quickly connect with Eddie. He is a tormented soul, just trying to do the right thing, while at the same time, keeping his grandson alive in this hostile world.
When it comes right down to it, The Plague Winter is a scruples book, when the world goes to hell, what comes first, family or your own humanity? This is a question not easily answered, or is it?
Rich Hawkins has packed all of this together in a perfect little package. It is dark and gloomy and real. Rich Hawkins has the makings to be a staple in my reading library.
*4.5 Stars
August 3, 2019
I love it when the first book you read by a new-to-me author is excellent from the first page to the last. This emotion-packed novella is set in the same world of The Last Plague, which depicts an England devastated by a horrible epidemic of zombie-like creatures. My unfamiliarity with the series left me startled at the end with the descriptions of the creatures. I get it now. And I'm very, very interested in reading more by this author. Excellent writing.
February 3, 2016
Rich Hawkins is a man who knows how to create a world, so vivid, and palpable, that you could almost interact with the characters.
Based in the same post apocalyptic landscape as his Last Outpost book, he continues with a theme so gritty, and desolate, you could almost believe the world was devoid of life completely. There is never anything glossy, and improbable in Rich Hawkins books, so if you want an action hero, you won't find one. However if you are seeking authenticity, terror, and real human characters, Rich will deliver.
I can honestly say even 5 stars isn't enough for this. But then i have found 5 stars isn't enough for all of his books. For Rich Hawkins fans this was a wonderful snack while waiting for The Last Soldier.
Based in the same post apocalyptic landscape as his Last Outpost book, he continues with a theme so gritty, and desolate, you could almost believe the world was devoid of life completely. There is never anything glossy, and improbable in Rich Hawkins books, so if you want an action hero, you won't find one. However if you are seeking authenticity, terror, and real human characters, Rich will deliver.
I can honestly say even 5 stars isn't enough for this. But then i have found 5 stars isn't enough for all of his books. For Rich Hawkins fans this was a wonderful snack while waiting for The Last Soldier.
July 3, 2017
This novella has more surprises than the second book in the series, that I've recently finished.
It has a new type of infected that could change all the game from now on.
But, unfortunately, from what I read about the third book, the things aren't looking so good.
The final closure isn't so well defined and you still have a lot of question at hand.
But we'll live and see if thats the truth or not!
It has a new type of infected that could change all the game from now on.
But, unfortunately, from what I read about the third book, the things aren't looking so good.
The final closure isn't so well defined and you still have a lot of question at hand.
But we'll live and see if thats the truth or not!
May 16, 2016
Book two of The Year of the Zombie bring Rich Hawkins to the plate. He delivers a stellar performance packed into a small space.
He paints a picture a survival and despair in a book I can best describe as grey. It is a story of a Grandfather doing the best he can for his only remaining kin. He is doing this while all the time dealing with a chronic alcoholic problem. Be warned the end of this book will not be for everyone's taste.
Infected Books is on to a killer concept and I look forward to reading more offerings. It is fair to say after being in the business for 15 years they now what the reader wants.
He paints a picture a survival and despair in a book I can best describe as grey. It is a story of a Grandfather doing the best he can for his only remaining kin. He is doing this while all the time dealing with a chronic alcoholic problem. Be warned the end of this book will not be for everyone's taste.
Infected Books is on to a killer concept and I look forward to reading more offerings. It is fair to say after being in the business for 15 years they now what the reader wants.
March 3, 2016
Pretty good story
Eddie a grandfather watching his grandson in the Apocalypse. You should always trust your instincts when it comes to strangers, and it also helps to give up the booze.
Eddie a grandfather watching his grandson in the Apocalypse. You should always trust your instincts when it comes to strangers, and it also helps to give up the booze.
March 6, 2016
Tale of a whiskey soaked grandad looking after his grandson.
August 24, 2016
Rich Hawkins brings his grade A relentless grim to this novella, a tale of a grandfather and his grandson in end times. This is gripping misery of the finest kind.
June 10, 2018
Great read
I really good read. This book will have you turning the pages so quick. The characters are people with whom you meet in your every day life .... lovable
I really good read. This book will have you turning the pages so quick. The characters are people with whom you meet in your every day life .... lovable
November 24, 2016
I haven't read many zombie stories. Having seen Hollywood set up their zombie movie assembly line over the past 15 or so years I didn't think I would find a story of lurching, brain-munching corpses moving or compelling.
Infected Books and Rich Hawkins have proved me wrong.
I was reminded of Cormac McCarthy's 'The Road' when I began reading this story (the post-apocalyptic setting, the two main characters of a man and a boy and the pressure on the former to guarantee the latter's future despite dealing with their own health issues, and just how bleak everything is) and the last few pages went by in a blur thanks to the action-packed finale.
If you're looking for a good zombie novella, well-written and exciting, check this out!
Infected Books and Rich Hawkins have proved me wrong.
I was reminded of Cormac McCarthy's 'The Road' when I began reading this story (the post-apocalyptic setting, the two main characters of a man and a boy and the pressure on the former to guarantee the latter's future despite dealing with their own health issues, and just how bleak everything is) and the last few pages went by in a blur thanks to the action-packed finale.
If you're looking for a good zombie novella, well-written and exciting, check this out!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews