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Crave: A Zombie Apocalypse Thriller
It’s early in December and the weather is scorching hot in New York.
An erratic wobble in the planet’s rotation is causing extreme shifts in temperature. New diseases swarm the world. Hidden among them is a ghastly virus originating in Thailand called Thapparaya, or Thapp. It first kills, then reanimates its victims into undead creatures that crave living flesh.
Distracted and overworked, health authorities are slow to react. The plague spreads before major alarms can be triggered.
Former Marine Tom Park and extreme survivalist Scott Hale are as close as brothers and as tough as they come.
After a night of bloody violence, the families make plans to find safety. Like most people, they don’t know that Thapp is slaughtering billions. The undead are everywhere.
The horrific disease is even among them.
Someone they love most is clinging to life, already infected. Unless it is discovered, death will be with them wherever they go.
There is no sanctuary.
An erratic wobble in the planet’s rotation is causing extreme shifts in temperature. New diseases swarm the world. Hidden among them is a ghastly virus originating in Thailand called Thapparaya, or Thapp. It first kills, then reanimates its victims into undead creatures that crave living flesh.
Distracted and overworked, health authorities are slow to react. The plague spreads before major alarms can be triggered.
Former Marine Tom Park and extreme survivalist Scott Hale are as close as brothers and as tough as they come.
After a night of bloody violence, the families make plans to find safety. Like most people, they don’t know that Thapp is slaughtering billions. The undead are everywhere.
The horrific disease is even among them.
Someone they love most is clinging to life, already infected. Unless it is discovered, death will be with them wherever they go.
There is no sanctuary.
- GenresZombies
203 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2016
About the author
Jonathan Teague
1 book8 followersJonathan Teague grew up in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, spending the years of his youth fishing, hunting, camping, and skiing in the highest peaks in the Wasatch Mountain Range. Whenever possible, he spent his summers at his Grandad’s place in California, experiencing the rugged life of a true rancher.
As he got older, his life took a “tragic” turn toward civilized life. He gained a bachelor’s degree in psychology, then left the mountains to earn a master’s degree from Duke University.
He spent twenty years in the jungles of corporate America battling his way through some of the world’s biggest companies. He called the effort more psychologically exhausting than any challenge he faced in his wilderness excursions.
The best part of his corporate career was the opportunity to travel to over thirty-five countries, including ones that were economically disadvantaged and politically charged. Those years were filled with sometimes dangerous, but always interesting adventures.
After years of corporate life, Jonathan decided to return to his roots and relocated his family to his hometown. Now he splits time between introducing his wife and four daughters to the Rocky Mountains and weaving his experiences into the story lines of his novels.
As he got older, his life took a “tragic” turn toward civilized life. He gained a bachelor’s degree in psychology, then left the mountains to earn a master’s degree from Duke University.
He spent twenty years in the jungles of corporate America battling his way through some of the world’s biggest companies. He called the effort more psychologically exhausting than any challenge he faced in his wilderness excursions.
The best part of his corporate career was the opportunity to travel to over thirty-five countries, including ones that were economically disadvantaged and politically charged. Those years were filled with sometimes dangerous, but always interesting adventures.
After years of corporate life, Jonathan decided to return to his roots and relocated his family to his hometown. Now he splits time between introducing his wife and four daughters to the Rocky Mountains and weaving his experiences into the story lines of his novels.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 11, 2017
As I read the blurb to this zombie thriller, I thought I would get a fast-paced zompoc set in Asia, with exciting locales and bleeding locals. Instead, I got a slowly moving family drama set in Syracuse, New York, with a Korean-American and his family as they struggle to deal with a rapidly changing climate, rapidly spreading global infectious diseases, and an equally rapid decline in human decency and civility. I suppose zombies tend to bring out the worst in people.
Halfway through the book, I’m still trying to figure out Scott and Tom, the two best friends and neighbors of the story. Both Scott and Tom’s families have been attacked by random crazy people, and they’ve seen their neighbors literally eaten by apparently very sick people. They both have wide swings of emotion, uncontrollable rage, and crazy dreams about hunger and zombies. Yet, the next day, Scott goes for a jog in the early dawn hours, and then plans a cook out with his neighbor. What the f?
71% through the book. I’ve figured out the daze of the characters - the fog of inactivity due to infection that was spreading. Things fall apart fairly quickly the next day, and the gruesome scenes at the playground are scary and nerve-wracking. I’m also really enjoying the author’s writing style - it is fairly atypical that independent authors can write so well. By the end of the book, shit has hit the fan and no one in Tom and Scott’s families are safe. Very well done. I’m off to re-read Eliot's “The Hollow Men”.
Halfway through the book, I’m still trying to figure out Scott and Tom, the two best friends and neighbors of the story. Both Scott and Tom’s families have been attacked by random crazy people, and they’ve seen their neighbors literally eaten by apparently very sick people. They both have wide swings of emotion, uncontrollable rage, and crazy dreams about hunger and zombies. Yet, the next day, Scott goes for a jog in the early dawn hours, and then plans a cook out with his neighbor. What the f?
71% through the book. I’ve figured out the daze of the characters - the fog of inactivity due to infection that was spreading. Things fall apart fairly quickly the next day, and the gruesome scenes at the playground are scary and nerve-wracking. I’m also really enjoying the author’s writing style - it is fairly atypical that independent authors can write so well. By the end of the book, shit has hit the fan and no one in Tom and Scott’s families are safe. Very well done. I’m off to re-read Eliot's “The Hollow Men”.
March 10, 2018
Wow
This book is full of action and danger. While some of the characters are former military, you won't find any Delta Force bad asses all kitted up and ready to fight. They are more like regular folks. They have few firearms and must make due with whatever is at hand to defend themselves. They suffer a lot of losses because of it. This is a fast paced, intense tale and I'm really looking forward to the next one.
This book is full of action and danger. While some of the characters are former military, you won't find any Delta Force bad asses all kitted up and ready to fight. They are more like regular folks. They have few firearms and must make due with whatever is at hand to defend themselves. They suffer a lot of losses because of it. This is a fast paced, intense tale and I'm really looking forward to the next one.
July 25, 2016
Crave is a book about the rise of the undead. It tells the story of two neighboring families as they go through the initial exposure to a new virus which rapidly spreads through their community, and, presumably, throughout the world. The result is catastrophic. Within days of the appearance of the initial symptoms, everyone in their sleepy New England community is affected in one way or another.
Without giving too much away, Crave is a story of love, of loss and of survival.
Some thoughts after my recent reading:
This is a very compelling story. A real page turner! It is full of intense, descriptive action scenes. Being that it is a zombie thriller, there is a fair amount of zombie violence. But the action, while intense, isn’t necessarily focused on the gore. Some gore is required to tell the story, but that clearly isn’t the focus of the plot. The focus remains on the characters throughout the telling of the story.
There is some beautifully written prose in the book. The author clearly has a way with words and is fairly efficient in his delivery.
The development of the main characters in the story is excellent. As previously mentioned, the primary focus of the plot is on two neighboring families. By the end of the book, the reader really feels like they know the characters, their personalities, and their motivations.
There is a great deal of loss in this book, including losing several of the main characters. It will be interesting to see how the story develops and adapts in future volumes.
Some critiques:
This is a first novel for the author. As such, it felt like there were some kinks that need to be worked out.
First, the book needs some additional editing. In addition to some minor typographical errors, there were a few minor details that need correcting. The author clearly did a great deal of research into the subject matter, but there are a few areas that need some work.
One of the main distractions for me in reading the book was a seemingly excessive use of metaphors and similes. Some of them worked, and worked well. A number of others seemed unnecessary and strained, and didn’t add anything to the telling of the story.
During the initial phases of the book the reaction of the characters to initially seeing the attacks of the zombies was unrealistic and unrelatable. They seemed somewhat under-alarmed by the level of violence and of the severity of events occurring around them. Granted, this is easy for me to say as as outward observer who is expecting an apocalyptic ending. But it still seemed like they should have reacted more swiftly and dramatically to the events occurring around them.
There is very little closure at the end of the book. While, yes, it makes you want to continue reading, it doesn't make the book much of a stand-alone story. It reads more like the end of a chapter rather than the end of a book.
Overall, a very good first book by a promising author. I look forward to reading the next book in the series to see which direction the story goes.
Without giving too much away, Crave is a story of love, of loss and of survival.
Some thoughts after my recent reading:
This is a very compelling story. A real page turner! It is full of intense, descriptive action scenes. Being that it is a zombie thriller, there is a fair amount of zombie violence. But the action, while intense, isn’t necessarily focused on the gore. Some gore is required to tell the story, but that clearly isn’t the focus of the plot. The focus remains on the characters throughout the telling of the story.
There is some beautifully written prose in the book. The author clearly has a way with words and is fairly efficient in his delivery.
The development of the main characters in the story is excellent. As previously mentioned, the primary focus of the plot is on two neighboring families. By the end of the book, the reader really feels like they know the characters, their personalities, and their motivations.
There is a great deal of loss in this book, including losing several of the main characters. It will be interesting to see how the story develops and adapts in future volumes.
Some critiques:
This is a first novel for the author. As such, it felt like there were some kinks that need to be worked out.
First, the book needs some additional editing. In addition to some minor typographical errors, there were a few minor details that need correcting. The author clearly did a great deal of research into the subject matter, but there are a few areas that need some work.
One of the main distractions for me in reading the book was a seemingly excessive use of metaphors and similes. Some of them worked, and worked well. A number of others seemed unnecessary and strained, and didn’t add anything to the telling of the story.
During the initial phases of the book the reaction of the characters to initially seeing the attacks of the zombies was unrealistic and unrelatable. They seemed somewhat under-alarmed by the level of violence and of the severity of events occurring around them. Granted, this is easy for me to say as as outward observer who is expecting an apocalyptic ending. But it still seemed like they should have reacted more swiftly and dramatically to the events occurring around them.
There is very little closure at the end of the book. While, yes, it makes you want to continue reading, it doesn't make the book much of a stand-alone story. It reads more like the end of a chapter rather than the end of a book.
Overall, a very good first book by a promising author. I look forward to reading the next book in the series to see which direction the story goes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2016
If you like a good zombie story, this book is for you!
I found myself having a hard time putting it down, as I wanted to know what was going to happen or what happened to someone. So I'd read another chapter, and then another.... And another.... Needless to say, I read this book really fast.
I love how this book is about the beginning of when people start turning into zombies. It really makes you think about what you would do if you were in their shoes. The way he described the characters stories and events, to me seem pretty accurate to how it would most likely be if it in were in real life. People trying to help people... When they shouldn't... But they don't know that... Because, how could they? They've never seen a human turn zombie before! I felt myself wanting to yell to warn the people in the book to run, turn around, or get away in many different situations.
The author also did a great job at describing what was going on so you felt as though you were right there watching everything happen. I loved the way the author described each character and got you invested in each one of them, so you didn't want most of them to die. I really enjoyed the way this author gave you the characters background stories and how things happened on just a "normal" hot day in December.
There are also a lot of unexpected plot twists that will make it hard for you to put the book down, and when you finish you'll want more!
I can't wait for the next book to come out so I can continue with these characters on their journey of trying to run from zombies, being a zombie, or trying to find their loved ones!
If you haven't already bought this book, and you love zombie stories, buy it now!
I found myself having a hard time putting it down, as I wanted to know what was going to happen or what happened to someone. So I'd read another chapter, and then another.... And another.... Needless to say, I read this book really fast.
I love how this book is about the beginning of when people start turning into zombies. It really makes you think about what you would do if you were in their shoes. The way he described the characters stories and events, to me seem pretty accurate to how it would most likely be if it in were in real life. People trying to help people... When they shouldn't... But they don't know that... Because, how could they? They've never seen a human turn zombie before! I felt myself wanting to yell to warn the people in the book to run, turn around, or get away in many different situations.
The author also did a great job at describing what was going on so you felt as though you were right there watching everything happen. I loved the way the author described each character and got you invested in each one of them, so you didn't want most of them to die. I really enjoyed the way this author gave you the characters background stories and how things happened on just a "normal" hot day in December.
There are also a lot of unexpected plot twists that will make it hard for you to put the book down, and when you finish you'll want more!
I can't wait for the next book to come out so I can continue with these characters on their journey of trying to run from zombies, being a zombie, or trying to find their loved ones!
If you haven't already bought this book, and you love zombie stories, buy it now!
August 20, 2016
Wow, this book was great! Warning : there's about to be some mature language in this review because this book scared the S@#$ out of me!
So first off, let me ask you something- have you ever had a really bad dream, and I mean a dream so bad that you woke up scared trying to remember what happened? Well, this book is kinda like that dream- except when you wake up, it doesn't feel like its over. The haunting images are still reeling fresh in your mind. For the rest of the day your awkwardly looking over your shoulder and your heart rate is always elevated.
So this book was given to me by a co-worker, and it was so good, I couldn't put it down. I read the book in a few hours, and I have yet to shake that scary jeeper creeper feeling. I don't want to ruin anything, so let me say this: if you are a zombie lover, or just love to scare yourself s%@#less, then this is the book for you. When you read this book, you will truly fall in love with the characters and the way the author has spun an intricate web of love, family, hope, and......death MUAHAHAHA.
There were many times in this book where my mind screamed "GET THE F$#% out of there!" or "What is f$%@ing wrong with you people!" , but the plot was always twisting and turning that I couldn't put it down, not even if I wanted to. I recommend this book, it is truly what nightmares are made of.
So first off, let me ask you something- have you ever had a really bad dream, and I mean a dream so bad that you woke up scared trying to remember what happened? Well, this book is kinda like that dream- except when you wake up, it doesn't feel like its over. The haunting images are still reeling fresh in your mind. For the rest of the day your awkwardly looking over your shoulder and your heart rate is always elevated.
So this book was given to me by a co-worker, and it was so good, I couldn't put it down. I read the book in a few hours, and I have yet to shake that scary jeeper creeper feeling. I don't want to ruin anything, so let me say this: if you are a zombie lover, or just love to scare yourself s%@#less, then this is the book for you. When you read this book, you will truly fall in love with the characters and the way the author has spun an intricate web of love, family, hope, and......death MUAHAHAHA.
There were many times in this book where my mind screamed "GET THE F$#% out of there!" or "What is f$%@ing wrong with you people!" , but the plot was always twisting and turning that I couldn't put it down, not even if I wanted to. I recommend this book, it is truly what nightmares are made of.
August 12, 2016
I really enjoyed reading Crave. I've read a few zombie novels and Crave did not disappoint. However the author was not afraid to throw some very unexpected curve balls in the story. The characters are likeable and engaging. I didn't have any trouble getting into the story and I immediately felt attached to them.
The action is intense and the zombies are not entirely your standard fare. I'm excited to see how the story continues not just for the characters, but for the zombies too.
Fun, fun read.
The action is intense and the zombies are not entirely your standard fare. I'm excited to see how the story continues not just for the characters, but for the zombies too.
Fun, fun read.
September 15, 2016
This is Jonathan Teague's first novel in what I hope is a long-running series! It is a zombie origin story that feels quite realistic. If we experience a zombie apocalypse, I can totally see it happening the way he has imagined it.
The story mostly revolves around two friends, their families, and neighbors. It is fast paced but manages to do a good job developing the central characters. There are many plot twists so expect to be terrorized and entertained!
Oh and be prepared for some gory scenes although I didn't find the violence gratuitous.
The story mostly revolves around two friends, their families, and neighbors. It is fast paced but manages to do a good job developing the central characters. There are many plot twists so expect to be terrorized and entertained!
Oh and be prepared for some gory scenes although I didn't find the violence gratuitous.
November 11, 2016
The zombie genre has become a little overloaded and I've become tired with it overall, whether it be TV, movies or books. That said, this was a pretty fun book. Well, as fun as the end of humanity can be. It's well written and ends with what appears to be something that makes it a bit different from other zombie books. I guess I have to wait for the next one to find out. Looking forward to it.
November 7, 2016
There are many books in this genre, but this one is truly enjoyable. I had a hard time putting it down.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews