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The Wilds #3

The Dead

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I'm young to have so many enemies. The Skinners, Dark Walkers, Wood Mist, they all want me for their own reasons. But those were enemies I could fight. Now the disease that changed me forever is back.

It’s reaping death and havoc everywhere it strikes and I’m nearly helpless to stop it except for one chance. There’s a rumor of a cure. But Dax, my ally here in the Wilds, has vengeance on his mind. As I prepare to fight the Bloody Death by any means I can, I might have to leave behind the only man who has ever stood beside me.

263 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 20, 2016

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Donna Augustine

50 books1,301 followers

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5 stars
1,232 (47%)
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918 (35%)
3 stars
367 (14%)
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8 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
Profile Image for John Gilbert.
1,396 reviews216 followers
November 28, 2020
I'm enjoying this dystopian series. Dahlia is an interesting heroine, Dax and excellent foil and a strong supporting cast and story. Plague, magic, beasts, dark walkers, pirates, there's a lot going on here. On to book number 4.
Profile Image for Meital.
182 reviews36 followers
August 29, 2016
Please don't end. That was my prayer throughout the day. And now it's over, and what? I'll wait until September? I Want more. More from this story. More from sweet and brave Dal. loved her so much. More from my gorgeous Dax. At last we get to know his other side. The side that we were craving to see. Wonderful book! Donna nail it again. 5+++ shining stars.
Profile Image for Kira.
1,292 reviews138 followers
July 12, 2016
After reading The Hunt I was ready to give up on this series. For some reason once I noticed The Dead had been released, I felt compelled to read it. This series has its faults, but there is something I really like about it. Surprisingly this turned out to be the best book in the series yet! All of the issues I had with The Hunt were resolved.

No more love triangle! I wish it hadn’t been included at all, but I applaud Donna Augustine for not dragging it out. She chose the guy I ship!!! It was awesome!

Dal was still immature at times. In all fairness she is in her late teens and was extremely sheltered while growing up. It makes sense that she doesn’t always read people right and understand certain social cues. OTOH she is maturing. She sorted out some relationship issues. An immature route was used to get there but nonetheless there was a resolution to the issues. Some of the things she did were brave and smart.

Finally another side of Dax was shown! I really liked him being playful and goofing around even if it was only a little bit. He was still serious and closed off at times, but that’s just him. One of the things I admire the most about him is how he’s fiercely protective. It’s easy to see how that could be considered somewhat overbearing, but his intentions are good. With this book it is official: Dax is my newest book boyfriend.

Some headway was made with the plague and the Dark Walkers. The plague was coming back, which made life harder for Dal since most people believe she spreads it. A lot more was learned about the Dark Walkers. Many of Dal’s friends were in danger. There was a cliffhanger at the end, but I expected it so it didn’t bother me. I really want the next one. It's going to be a long wait until September.

Profile Image for Orna.
235 reviews1 follower
November 8, 2017
איזה סיום מפתיע! השאירה אותנו עם הלשון בחוץ.... מחכה לספר הבא!!!
Profile Image for Tremont G.
188 reviews4 followers
May 26, 2016
MUCH better than book 2 in the series! I still think Dal is a A**HOLE, but at least something happened in this book, we moved forward and found out more about this post "Glory Years" world. There was too much boo hoo'ing from Dal, I'm sick of her angst, "I need to be alone". Also, she's been out in the real world for 2 years now & reads a crap ton, you'd think she'd be a little more aware the of the reason behind the tension between Dax & Rocky. I skimmed through most of Dal's stupid self reflection musings, which was seriously repetitive! I hope the next book reveals A LOT more about the dark walkers and what's behind all of this and the bloody plague because we've barely been given squat and its 3 freaking books in! Come on already!!!!
Profile Image for Donna.
280 reviews39 followers
September 29, 2016
This series is blowing me away! I am loving this immensely... Dal and Dax. That twist in the ending! What did the Wood Mist's mean? Jeez! When is the next book coming out. I NEED IT NOW!
Profile Image for Lori.
274 reviews
April 26, 2016
Best book in the Wilds series yet.
You won't be able to put this one down.
Its starts out filled with action . Dals become a real badass using her magic, but still big hearted and Still blatinly ignoring every order Dax gives her and doing her own thing.

She's on the hunt for what hunts her and kicking ass doing it.
Just as she's gotten comfortable and thinking maybe The Rock is her new home. Peole have finally tarted to seem to adapt to her and are being friendly. She's still doing the picnic thing where Rocky invites his guests to eat like kings and he's trying to show off Fall by giving her moire food and having first pick p!us piling it on for her just to show she's welcome plus to win over her affections which Dal still seems a bit naïve too then Dax butts in and makes a scene that's pretty amazing youbask me but confuyses Dal more then she was to d
Begin with. Not that Rocky's letting him get away with this or even backing down. It's quite interesting. Then everything goes south when word of the bloody death has returned.
Who better to blame then a plaguer.
Spoiler:
When Bookie gets sick everything changes and the whole Rock turmns against her. Dax has left on a mission All refused to go on and so she has no choice but to ride it out with Bookie which she'd have done anyways . but wen Dax still hasn't returned and their threathenings Dals life her choice is to take Bookie and run.
After this things get very unteresting cause Dal doors what she thinks is best. Get away and find the cure . so who does shgebhook up with but the pirates.

All tbe while ignoring the chimes from the mist.

This book just gets very interesting and Dal goes on to renig from her deal with Dax thinking its liver anyways and she's oin a mission to ave the world. But don't think she's getting oif that easy.
Oh no.
And you g
Finally we see that Dax will never give up on her and these two are meant to be together one way or another. He can try and push her away a he wants she can try to do the same but she can't deny the big ache in her chest when he's not around and I thiunkj it gores both ways.
Dal also finally takes her stand with Dax and gives him no choice in the matter of who she's finally goinna have sex with when she's drowning in grief and drunk. Never a good mix.

Not only do we see Dal totally change in this book becoming a bit more heartless and grown up but aso finally turning into that young women she's been dying to become since she bokeout if the giant cement.
We see a crack in Dax too you'd never think you'd see. Also !learning more about him. He's really opened up to Dal and I loved it. You justbsee thgrm h
Becoming closer and understanding each other a bit more and maybe becoming real friends and more.

Tbheres so much in tbis book . akt to process but never faulting to a dull point. It stays intetresting . once you think line things over with and its calming down something else dramactuc happens.
Then were on to a new adventure.

What i really like is Dal keeps the book going. As hot And yummy as Dax is Dal takes the lead. Its about time the female stands out in a book and Donna makes it happen and b
Very well. She's developed all these characters so you just love them and care about them. You want to know what's happening with them. You feel sad when its bad or happy when its good.

All I'll say about the ending is I was not happy at . i was 6 yr olkd Tif taking a tantrum. Like how could she end it lije thus. Talk about ckiffhanger. This is the beat all! but then the more and more I thought about it , well its perfect.
Now I can't wait for the next book . its pure torture . but will it be worth the wait. I'm sure it will be.

This is definitely my favorite series to date written by Donna Augustine. Her writting just keeps growing and topopiung the next book after book.

I highly recommended this series.



Profile Image for Maggie.
403 reviews1 follower
March 1, 2017
Not as good as 1 & 2...hopefully 4 will be back on track. Also, the cover...? Good thing I did not judge the cover before getting the series because I probably would have passed it by. That is so not the main character.
Profile Image for Debbie.
944 reviews80 followers
May 13, 2016

The Dead, book three in Donna Augustine’s fantastic, futuristic, post apocalyptic urban fantasy The Wilds series, a darkly intense page-turner picks right up from book two without missing a beat. Her first person dialogue told by the female protagonist, Dahlia is impressive and illustrates her innocent naïveté and teenaged angst to a tee while highlighting her imposing backdrops and inventive world building. Her other stars are equally memorable especially her constant male star Dax. The twists and turns, the explosive OMG happenings and the cliffhanger ending are real standouts in this fast paced thriller and I can’t wait to see where she goes from here. The series must be read in order.

Since arriving at The Rock with her friends things seem to be looking up for Dahlia, she’s finally making real friends, being accepted and as a bonus is getting to eliminate Dark Walkers. The leader of The Rock, Rocky even wants her for his girlfriend and no he’s not Dax and he doesn’t give her tingles like Dax does, but Dax doesn’t want her that way and she refuses to beat her head against a wall or beg, no matter what. Then comes the worse possible news; The Bloody Death has returned, Dax wants them all to leave The Rock fearing they will turn against Dahlia but she’s convinced he’s wrong. So he and Rocky leave to gather more information and while they’re gone Dahlia’s best friend Bookie catches and succumbs to the disease. Realizing Dax was right all along Dahlia flees in the night to save her remaining friends and to bury Bookie. Knowing she may never see Dax again is a hard pill to swallow but she’s got to to do the right thing she hopes she’s brave enough.

Series recap:
Book 1-Dahlia may be the last surviving “Plaguer” (a survivor of the disease) of the apocalyptic disease called “The Bloody Death” that almost wiped out humanity. One side effect of plaguers is having increased psychic/magic abilities including seeing “Dark Walkers”, beings who want plaguers eliminated. Dax and his friends from “The Wilds” rescued her for this very ability.
Book 2- Learning the Dark Walkers are still looking for her, Dahlia, Dax and a small group of friends leave The Farm and travel The Wilds to find out why and finally come upon a walled community called The Rock where its leader Rocky offers hospitality and aide.


Profile Image for Laura.
393 reviews16 followers
January 17, 2021
3.5 stars

I still really like the unique setting and I am glad that there was progress with the relationship between Dal and Dax, although I thought that Dal's obliviousness to the fact that she was the cause of the strife between Dax and Rocky was completely unbelievable. I thought it was extremely far fetched that she could be that naive to how Dax felt about her but at the same time I was thoroughly entertained by it.

I think the plot is kind of getting a little bit disjointed and I don't quite follow how the dark walkers can be both the cause of the bloody death and the cure. Well I guess the cure part was obvious because that aspect was very blatantly spelled out but the cause part was kind of vague and annoying. I also didn't think that it was adequately clear about why Dax was the way he was and how it is that the plaguers are immune. There are still lots of questions that need answered and I can only hope that it all makes sense in the next book.
825 reviews17 followers
June 15, 2018
DNF @ 80%

I've had my doubts and misgivings about the romantic pairing since the start but this book solidified my opinion. The heroine is 18/19 - a fact that we are reminded of constantly - but her "voice" sounds more like she's maybe 14. The love interest is a centuries old male who looks like he's in his 30s. I was getting strong pedophilia/ general ick vibes from the pairing and their moving forward in their relationship (ie sex scene) made me put the book down. I suppose the fact that the hero wanted to wait but the heroine basically pressured him (by driving him to a possessive, jealous rage) is supposed to prove that hey, it's not creepy but there was nothing remotely romantic (or even healthy) about any of it.

As a matter of fact, if this is what I can expect from her other new series I just started and was kind of enjoying, I think I'll have to pass on continuing that too. It's just not my cup of tea.
Profile Image for JadeShea.
3,235 reviews60 followers
July 20, 2019
The third book in the Wilds series is pretty sad. Dal loses someone close to her, and now she's going to do everything she can to find the cure to the Bloody Death, even if that means leaving Dax behind. However, Dax isn't going to take this lightly and as Dal gets herself into more trouble with pirates and more, Dax may be there to rescue her or he may not be this time.

I felt so bad for Dal in this book. It sucks that so many people turned their back on her, and I really hated what happened to her friend. But, I really liked seeing Dal and Dax get even closer in this book, even though some of the things Dax does still isn't really explained.

Other than that, I loved this book. Dal has turned into a kick ass heroine who can take care of herself, and she will fight for what she believes in.

I'm super excited for reading more now!
Profile Image for Barbara Strickland.
Author 7 books53 followers
April 26, 2016
I am loving this series. Dal is fascinating. One minute incredibly brave and vicious and grown-up and the next so annoyingly innocent and child-like in her reading of the people around her that you want to shake her. It is so hard to not get caught up in her thoughts and actions because she does things so recklessly and yet with all her being. You can't help but love her and want her to stay safe but at the same time you want to yell at her to open her eyes. Poor Dax he has quite a battle on his hands with her as she finds her place in the unfolding events and there is plenty of those.
This is well-paced, full of interesting characters all striving to survive in a very unpleasant world. The cliff hanger had just the right frustrating touch to keep the reader on the edge.
Profile Image for Micayla.
2 reviews1 follower
April 23, 2016
Loved it! Pretty much devoured it in 3 hours. Can't wait for the next one! Donna Augustine has become one of my new favorite authors. I've read everything she's got these last few weeks. ☺
Profile Image for Molly Smith.
687 reviews12 followers
October 30, 2017
The plot truly thickened in this third installment in The Wilds series. Though Dal is still rather angsty, she is learning and maturing. She is an odd mix of old and young. Her volatile relationship with Dax can be frustrating, he has way more patience for her than I would. I feel there is just so much unsaid between them, I hope they finally come clean and open up to each other and start progressing with a more healthy relationship. I was engrossed by the plot of the resurgence of the Bloody Death as well as the aftermath. I am eager to see what happens next.
Profile Image for Andrea.
2,153 reviews1 follower
October 18, 2019

yay for story progress, and romance progress...but.. Dax is just not my cup of tea. I like alpha guys in stories as much as the next person, but I feel theres a difference alpha and domineering to me. The overbearing energy is just to much for me three books in a row. I was hoping for more of a partnership at this point.

"I’d gone from the Cement Giant, and having my whole life dictated to me, to living with Dax. Who tried to dictate my whole life to me."


description

However, I do like that he has her back- but maybe I'd feel better there was a little bit something more in their relationship (for me.) I also didn't like how everyone kept telling Dal how she was feeling, and kept talking around her saying she was just 'inexperienced'


Really enjoying this series...but maybe I think this will be the last one for me.
Profile Image for Talarah.
587 reviews8 followers
December 16, 2019
That cliffy!

Well dang that cliffhanger left me with the creepy chills and a wtf expression.

We get to see so much heartache unfold in this book so bring a few tissue as this girl shed a couple tears.

We also see a few cute moments between our little Plaguer and Dax and also one hot as hell scene...finally!!!
That built up of banter over two books, serious slow burn but oh so worth it.

I can't wait to see what their next travels and adventures are.
10 reviews
December 17, 2016
Really enjoying this series so far

Ever since I finished the Throne of Glass books I've been looking for something that would entertain me (to no avail). These books are just the thing! The heroine is hilarious, the premise is unique and creative and the writing, although somewhat flawed, is engrossing.
I Definately recommend
Profile Image for Mflukie.
172 reviews5 followers
October 2, 2017
By this point I was too invested in the characters to not keep going. At times Dal speaks and acts like she knows so much, but then she’s so naive on things she really should know. It’s not endearing, it’s annoying. I wanted her to grow up and she has some, but not enough to make me like her. A love triangle is going on, it’s obnoxious.
2 reviews
March 24, 2018
Got tiring

Got tired of the excessively bad language, overly descriptive sex, and tiresome relationship troubles. I liked the world building, but got tired of waiting for answers... who are the dark walkers? And pretty much everything else. Too many mysteries. Too much waiting around
Profile Image for Jassicca.
826 reviews3 followers
August 9, 2025
This third instalment in the Wilds series is much more engaging compared to the previous book, with more action and emotional moments in the story.

I especially enjoy reading the part after Dahlia takes control of her life by leaving the compound. Her solo journey, as well as the shared quest with Dax, stood out in this story.

On the romance front, Dax and Dahlia are finally moving forward to the next level, and I hope the next book focuses less on their back-and-forth and more on addressing the threats of the Dark Walkers and the mist.
Profile Image for Amanda White.
581 reviews10 followers
October 18, 2017
Enjoyable

I really enjoyed this one. There were different and interesting characters introduced, Dal and Dax's relationship was good to read about and there were some questions answered about the Dark Walkers and Bloody Death. All in all a solid installment to the series!
Profile Image for Lydia.
290 reviews11 followers
September 11, 2018
Finally, something good and productive happened! This was my favorite of this series so far. I'm not a huge fan of cliffhangers, but at least there was a full story in this book, and not just all lead-up. Going straight for the next one!
344 reviews
September 30, 2018
Made me laugh... made me cry like a baby...
Just wish that first lovemaking scene between Dal and Dax was longer (i.e more that 10 sentences).... talk about a let down after waiting for it for 3 books 🤯🤯🤯
But good book ... Highly recommend
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Rachel.
66 reviews
March 25, 2019
Wilds 3

Wow!!! I love this story. Just when you think you got it figured out bam! Another heart stopping surprise. Oh and the end is so unexpected about anything that might happen.
Profile Image for Sara.
300 reviews2 followers
June 16, 2019
Wow!

This book was simply amazing. The twists and turns keep you totally on the edge. Dal is one of my very favorite main characters. She is easy to like and very well written. The twist at the end!!! OMG I can’t wait to read the next one.
Profile Image for Myla L A.
569 reviews9 followers
October 30, 2019
Good Adventure

1st book had me hooked so I had to read the entire series. Unique world building, unique characters, action, suspense, and an overall good adventure. Has many types of people and/or creatures. Recommended this series.
Profile Image for Bambi  Campbell .
953 reviews3 followers
May 3, 2022
weird but in a good way

This author has an addictive writing style. Even when the story is strange and way out of your normal genre you’re just drawn into the story. I bet this is how Harry Potter fans got started
Profile Image for Shawna Marie.
71 reviews4 followers
August 23, 2022
The best so far of this series but…… the Bloody Plague kills someone who is near and dead to my heart. Every time that character was mentioned again, I felt a small pang in my heart. Whyyyyyyyyyyyy did he have to die???????

Book 4 coming right up!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
3,323 reviews30 followers
December 3, 2016
The Dead

Monsters and pirates - what's not to like! I am so hooked on this series of books and I recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews

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