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Death & Decay #2
Divided
Run. Fight. Die. Return.
The world is dying. The dead are rising. But for the survivors, the dead aren't the only threat.
As chaos takes hold of St. Louis, Colin Bennett finds himself on the run. Though the Missouri River is the only thing separating the husband and father from his family, it may as well be an ocean. Colin and a few friends are forced to fight for survival as they seek out a safe haven for themselves and the other survivors they meet along the way. Together they set out to create a new life for themselves and reestablish some order in a dying world.
When discord threatens to tear the group apart, can Colin and the others hold on to their crusade? Or will it destroy them?
The world is dying. The dead are rising. But for the survivors, the dead aren't the only threat.
As chaos takes hold of St. Louis, Colin Bennett finds himself on the run. Though the Missouri River is the only thing separating the husband and father from his family, it may as well be an ocean. Colin and a few friends are forced to fight for survival as they seek out a safe haven for themselves and the other survivors they meet along the way. Together they set out to create a new life for themselves and reestablish some order in a dying world.
When discord threatens to tear the group apart, can Colin and the others hold on to their crusade? Or will it destroy them?
253 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 15, 2017
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41 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 11, 2017
I do have to say book 2 is amazing! Liked it more than book 1.
In this book we get to follow Colin (husband of liv from bk. 1)
Colin knows now that his wife wasn't even close to joking around what happen on the highway bridge.
Colin and couple of friend's of his friend's trying to make it to safety and help Colin find his wife and daughter.
But thing's keep getting tossed their way blocking their path like other dangerous groups that already formed and helping other's and making new home to rebuilt for their group that started with few people to whole lot of them. Packed full of action. And we can't forget the freaks (zombies). The ended have you screaming and saying No!! Way!!! And last part have to saying here comes trouble with Sammy that's all I can say! (Lol) you have to read to find out for you're self.
If you read bk 1 you can really tell the Author went all out writing bk 2. She did amazing job putting this book together for us and worked her butt off on it!! If I could I would give it more star's instead of 5!
I received advanced copy for an honest review..
In this book we get to follow Colin (husband of liv from bk. 1)
Colin knows now that his wife wasn't even close to joking around what happen on the highway bridge.
Colin and couple of friend's of his friend's trying to make it to safety and help Colin find his wife and daughter.
But thing's keep getting tossed their way blocking their path like other dangerous groups that already formed and helping other's and making new home to rebuilt for their group that started with few people to whole lot of them. Packed full of action. And we can't forget the freaks (zombies). The ended have you screaming and saying No!! Way!!! And last part have to saying here comes trouble with Sammy that's all I can say! (Lol) you have to read to find out for you're self.
If you read bk 1 you can really tell the Author went all out writing bk 2. She did amazing job putting this book together for us and worked her butt off on it!! If I could I would give it more star's instead of 5!
I received advanced copy for an honest review..
May 20, 2017
Divided is the second in newbie zombie author Blalock's dark series, Death & Decay, which centers around ordinary people trying to survive the outbreak of the zombies. The first book, which I thought was stellar material, focused on a young wife, Liv, trying to survive the Saturday outbreak with her toddler daughter Ellie strapped on her back and a sledgehammer in her hand. This second book tells the story of Liv's husband, Colin, from Day 1 of the outbreak. I was gifted this book by the author, an incredibly nice person with a great story to tell. Her gift, however, did not influence my opinion of this book, and my thoughts are entirely my own.
Similar to her first work (and the shorter prequel story), this story is told entirely from the perspective of a different person. Here, the voice of the husband Colin directs the narrative. However, his voice was not as compelling for me as was that of Liv's in the first (that sounded a little Excorcist-y, sorry). Not to say I didn't like Colin, I just related to Liv a little bit more. Perhaps motherhood has a lot to do with it. Regardless, I also felt it was difficult to relate to many of the characters in the first half of the novel, as they felt flat for me and almost carbon-copies of one another. It wasn't until the second half the book, when the S%&! figuratively Hit The Fan, that the characters really came to life for me. This occured right around where the group discovered that their safe-haven farmstead is located 3 miles from a zombie-infested amphitheatre (summer concert series, anyone?) and a camp of local thugs called the Sovereigns start making waves. Then the story really picks, the characters come alive, and the blood and guts literally start flying.
There were some elements in this book that were a little bit bothersome to me. Lending to the element that the characters felt flat to me in the first half of the book, I also felt the writing/editing here was a little bit sloppy and not as precise. However, once I hit the mid-point of the book, it was blue skies and open highway. In addition, the consistent use of the word "freaks" for "zombies" was jarring for me. Why didn't I notice this before? Perhaps I had too much wine as I was reading this....
There are obvious borrowings from The Walking Dead, but who cares? A zombie fan (author or reader) can hardly move an inch these days without being inundated with Rick and Darrell and TWD culture. And good for them! TWD is so pervasive in today's popular culture, that my new big boss, the RVPO of a chain of businesses, stated the other day that he was Negan before he knew there was Negan. I smiled so hard my cheeks hurt.
Again, I digress.
Hubby Colin goes through the same crisis of conscious that most of the good guys in TWD did at the beginning of the series. What does it take to survive in this new post-apoc world? Is it really necessary to kill other humans in order to survive? What about innocent casualties, such as women and children?
If anyone has read the first book, then you know how this book will end, so no spoilers. However, the twist with the splitting of the party into two camps is unexpected and interesting, and I truly am eager to see in which direction Blalock will take this series next. My edition of this book includes a bonus short story at the end, titled "Defenseless," which I have not read yet but will very soon. Overall, this book is very recommended for horror and zombie fiction.
Bonus Short Story Defenseless: 5 stars
Told from the perspective of six-year-old Dylan, this short again focuses on the immediate grisly events of Saturday afternoon, the outbreak of the ZA. Young Dylan is the child of divorce, and he is spending the weekend with Dad and his best friend and dog Apollo when the outbreak occurs. When a horror story is told through the eyes of a child, it is always more chilling. When it is read by a mom who has a six-year-old boy herself, the terror is compounded. I loved this short.
Similar to her first work (and the shorter prequel story), this story is told entirely from the perspective of a different person. Here, the voice of the husband Colin directs the narrative. However, his voice was not as compelling for me as was that of Liv's in the first (that sounded a little Excorcist-y, sorry). Not to say I didn't like Colin, I just related to Liv a little bit more. Perhaps motherhood has a lot to do with it. Regardless, I also felt it was difficult to relate to many of the characters in the first half of the novel, as they felt flat for me and almost carbon-copies of one another. It wasn't until the second half the book, when the S%&! figuratively Hit The Fan, that the characters really came to life for me. This occured right around where the group discovered that their safe-haven farmstead is located 3 miles from a zombie-infested amphitheatre (summer concert series, anyone?) and a camp of local thugs called the Sovereigns start making waves. Then the story really picks, the characters come alive, and the blood and guts literally start flying.
There were some elements in this book that were a little bit bothersome to me. Lending to the element that the characters felt flat to me in the first half of the book, I also felt the writing/editing here was a little bit sloppy and not as precise. However, once I hit the mid-point of the book, it was blue skies and open highway. In addition, the consistent use of the word "freaks" for "zombies" was jarring for me. Why didn't I notice this before? Perhaps I had too much wine as I was reading this....
There are obvious borrowings from The Walking Dead, but who cares? A zombie fan (author or reader) can hardly move an inch these days without being inundated with Rick and Darrell and TWD culture. And good for them! TWD is so pervasive in today's popular culture, that my new big boss, the RVPO of a chain of businesses, stated the other day that he was Negan before he knew there was Negan. I smiled so hard my cheeks hurt.
Again, I digress.
Hubby Colin goes through the same crisis of conscious that most of the good guys in TWD did at the beginning of the series. What does it take to survive in this new post-apoc world? Is it really necessary to kill other humans in order to survive? What about innocent casualties, such as women and children?
If anyone has read the first book, then you know how this book will end, so no spoilers. However, the twist with the splitting of the party into two camps is unexpected and interesting, and I truly am eager to see in which direction Blalock will take this series next. My edition of this book includes a bonus short story at the end, titled "Defenseless," which I have not read yet but will very soon. Overall, this book is very recommended for horror and zombie fiction.
Bonus Short Story Defenseless: 5 stars
Told from the perspective of six-year-old Dylan, this short again focuses on the immediate grisly events of Saturday afternoon, the outbreak of the ZA. Young Dylan is the child of divorce, and he is spending the weekend with Dad and his best friend and dog Apollo when the outbreak occurs. When a horror story is told through the eyes of a child, it is always more chilling. When it is read by a mom who has a six-year-old boy herself, the terror is compounded. I loved this short.
November 7, 2017
Colin is at work when the world falls apart. He has gotten disturbing messages on his phone from his wife, Liv. She's telling him things he doesn't dare to believe until he sees it with his own eyes. Stuck in the city, he and his friends need to find a way to get away from the danger. A bridge divides him from his wife and daughter. Will Colin be able to survive in a world that's full of death? And will his family be safely waiting for him when he does?
Now that the dead are after the living, Colin needs to change. He's always been a kindhearted man who worked hard to provide for his family. His only goal is to get to Liv and his daughter Elli. He doesn't know if they survived, but he has a rock solid believe in Liv that she'll do whatever it takes to stay safe and alive. Colin and Liv agreed that if something would ever happen that would get them separated they would meet up again at a farm in the woods. Is this farm the safe haven that they thought it would be?
When I started reading Divided I knew how Colin's story would end. The first book in this series Devour already gave me this information. It didn't make his story any less interesting though. I was glued to the pages from the beginning and didn't want to put this book down. Colin finds it difficult to deal with the man he has become, but in order to survive he does whatever he needs to do. As a parent I can relate to his desperate need to get to his family. When everything around you falls apart and when every moment can be your last it isn't possible to always be a follower. I loved the action-packed scenes and I couldn't read fast enough to get to the ending. R.L. Blalock has written a brilliant series about survivors in a zombie infested world. I love this genre and this series is absolutely in my top ten.
Now that the dead are after the living, Colin needs to change. He's always been a kindhearted man who worked hard to provide for his family. His only goal is to get to Liv and his daughter Elli. He doesn't know if they survived, but he has a rock solid believe in Liv that she'll do whatever it takes to stay safe and alive. Colin and Liv agreed that if something would ever happen that would get them separated they would meet up again at a farm in the woods. Is this farm the safe haven that they thought it would be?
When I started reading Divided I knew how Colin's story would end. The first book in this series Devour already gave me this information. It didn't make his story any less interesting though. I was glued to the pages from the beginning and didn't want to put this book down. Colin finds it difficult to deal with the man he has become, but in order to survive he does whatever he needs to do. As a parent I can relate to his desperate need to get to his family. When everything around you falls apart and when every moment can be your last it isn't possible to always be a follower. I loved the action-packed scenes and I couldn't read fast enough to get to the ending. R.L. Blalock has written a brilliant series about survivors in a zombie infested world. I love this genre and this series is absolutely in my top ten.
May 16, 2017
In Divided book #2 in the Death & Decay series we follow Colin Bennett as he is trying to make his way to his wife Liv and eighteen month old daughter Elli from book #1 whom he hopes has already made it to their apocalyptic go to place.
But of course there are a lot of freaks/zombies in his way not to mention the bridge that he needs to cross that is packed with zombies and bumper to bumper with vehicles. His first order of business is to find away across the Missouri River before he can even begin his journey to his wife and daughter.
But then again he must survive on this side of the river before he can cross it. Not only does he have to worry about fighting the undead he now realizes that he must fight the living as well to survive and the living want him dead almost as bad as the dead or undead.
Colin has always thought of himself as a very good person you knowing doing what he could to help his fellow man and knowing what is right or wrong. But now with the undead roaming around and the living also wanting him dead he takes another look at his own heart and where it fits into this new world and what kind of man he must become to survive in this new world. His preception of what is right or wrong is put on trial and he must decide who he is and how bad he wants to survive and find his family.
R.L. Blalock has knocked another out of the ball park with Divided. Divided is filled with so much action and gore that keeps you hanging waiting to see what is happening around the next corner and when you get there you are like no way I didn’t see that one coming. I love me some zombies and Divided has more zombies than a football stadium on game day with thousands upon thousand of zombies.
If you love zombies, The Walking Dead or Z Nation then you are going to love Divided. I would also like to suggest that you check out Devour book #1 in the Death & Decay series and The Darkest Days book #0.5 as well. You don’t have to read book #1 or 0.5 to enjoy Divided but I would recommend reading them too so you can find out more about Colin’s wife and daughter and their journey in the zombie apocalypse.
But of course there are a lot of freaks/zombies in his way not to mention the bridge that he needs to cross that is packed with zombies and bumper to bumper with vehicles. His first order of business is to find away across the Missouri River before he can even begin his journey to his wife and daughter.
But then again he must survive on this side of the river before he can cross it. Not only does he have to worry about fighting the undead he now realizes that he must fight the living as well to survive and the living want him dead almost as bad as the dead or undead.
Colin has always thought of himself as a very good person you knowing doing what he could to help his fellow man and knowing what is right or wrong. But now with the undead roaming around and the living also wanting him dead he takes another look at his own heart and where it fits into this new world and what kind of man he must become to survive in this new world. His preception of what is right or wrong is put on trial and he must decide who he is and how bad he wants to survive and find his family.
R.L. Blalock has knocked another out of the ball park with Divided. Divided is filled with so much action and gore that keeps you hanging waiting to see what is happening around the next corner and when you get there you are like no way I didn’t see that one coming. I love me some zombies and Divided has more zombies than a football stadium on game day with thousands upon thousand of zombies.
If you love zombies, The Walking Dead or Z Nation then you are going to love Divided. I would also like to suggest that you check out Devour book #1 in the Death & Decay series and The Darkest Days book #0.5 as well. You don’t have to read book #1 or 0.5 to enjoy Divided but I would recommend reading them too so you can find out more about Colin’s wife and daughter and their journey in the zombie apocalypse.
May 15, 2017
The great story continues. Collin, the husband of Liv from book 1 Devour, has to make his own journey to reach his wife and daughter. This story has lots of new characters that engage the reader emotionally into the story. There are plenty of twists and turns, and action throughout. You will come to love some characters and hate others, and it may even change your mind about a few. If you have read book one, you know the ending of that story, and some of the things that will happen in this story. Even though you know they area coming, they will still surprise and devastate you. This has become my favorite zombie apocalypse series. Once you pick up the book, you wont put it down until finished. I can not wait for book number three! If you purchase by May 21, 2017, you will get the short story Defenseless for free. It is not sold separately. It is a short story interaction with characters mentioned in her other short story, book 0.5. Definitely one of my favorite authors.
June 14, 2017
Divided is action-packed with twists and turns, and is written so that readers feel as if they are part of the story.
Though I already knew Colin's outcome from Liv's perspective in Book 1, I had to know what happened up until he reached the farm. I enjoyed seeing Colin struggle with his humanity. Not because I would enjoy seeing someone suffer, but because I feel like many of us would struggle given the same scenarios, and that connected me to his character.
Yes, I hope it would be instinctive to take out the undead to survive, but doing what's "right" isn't so obvious when dealing with other people who are a threat to you, your friends, and fellow survivors. Colin must decide how far he is willing to go to keep them all safe, and to stay alive so that he can find his family.
I feel that this book needs another round of editing, with subject-verb agreement issues, incorrect possessives, and plot inconsistencies. These "speed bumps" kept jolting me out of the story. It's a great story that just needs a little bit of TLC.
I recommend that any fans of the zombie apocalypse give this series a try; it's worth it.
Though I already knew Colin's outcome from Liv's perspective in Book 1, I had to know what happened up until he reached the farm. I enjoyed seeing Colin struggle with his humanity. Not because I would enjoy seeing someone suffer, but because I feel like many of us would struggle given the same scenarios, and that connected me to his character.
Yes, I hope it would be instinctive to take out the undead to survive, but doing what's "right" isn't so obvious when dealing with other people who are a threat to you, your friends, and fellow survivors. Colin must decide how far he is willing to go to keep them all safe, and to stay alive so that he can find his family.
I feel that this book needs another round of editing, with subject-verb agreement issues, incorrect possessives, and plot inconsistencies. These "speed bumps" kept jolting me out of the story. It's a great story that just needs a little bit of TLC.
I recommend that any fans of the zombie apocalypse give this series a try; it's worth it.
May 13, 2018
This is book #2 in the series but it can easily be read as standalone and even without any other books beforehand. And if some readers complain that they knew the outcome because of the ending in book 1, I must admit I harboured the hope that the author turns the wheel somehow.
We are following Colin, husband of Liv from book 1. While book 1 focused on the outbreak, here we have the group dynamics as centre focus.
I was a bit surprised that Colin's group got splattered with gore a few times even though they watched the news warning about bodily fluids. That's why I liked Liv more, she seemed smarter.
But Colin's story is similar gripping and intense. No moment to breath, always action (as expected in an apocalypse). But it's not only the hands-on action that kept me glued to the book but also the psychological development of the characters, in particular Colin. I can't believe what he did in the end!
We are following Colin, husband of Liv from book 1. While book 1 focused on the outbreak, here we have the group dynamics as centre focus.
I was a bit surprised that Colin's group got splattered with gore a few times even though they watched the news warning about bodily fluids. That's why I liked Liv more, she seemed smarter.
But Colin's story is similar gripping and intense. No moment to breath, always action (as expected in an apocalypse). But it's not only the hands-on action that kept me glued to the book but also the psychological development of the characters, in particular Colin. I can't believe what he did in the end!
May 9, 2017
I feel like I'm the one who's been battling zombies or "freaks" in this case....Whew! What an action-packed read!
Divided is the second book in the Death and Decay series. In this book we follow Colin as he tries to reach Liv and Elli (his wife and daughter...We meet them in the first book, Devour)
If you read the first book (which I highly recommend) them you already know how Coluns' story ends but it is really great to experience his journey. I can't say any more without spoilers.
Sorry not sorry...You're just going to have to read it for yourself! I promise you won't be disappointed!
Divided is the second book in the Death and Decay series. In this book we follow Colin as he tries to reach Liv and Elli (his wife and daughter...We meet them in the first book, Devour)
If you read the first book (which I highly recommend) them you already know how Coluns' story ends but it is really great to experience his journey. I can't say any more without spoilers.
Sorry not sorry...You're just going to have to read it for yourself! I promise you won't be disappointed!
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September 25, 2018I can’t rate this book, as I actually only read the first 3 chapters and the last one.
Sadly, I lost interest in it. Not because of the writing, the plot or it’s characters. What I read of it, was actually really good.
But because I knew how it would end.
The “cliffhanger” in book 1 Devour of this series, reveals the ending of this book.
I actually expected that this would be the sequel or more like the joining of Olivia and Wyatt and their upcoming fight for survival.
Well, I guess not.
Sadly, I lost interest in it. Not because of the writing, the plot or it’s characters. What I read of it, was actually really good.
But because I knew how it would end.
The “cliffhanger” in book 1 Devour of this series, reveals the ending of this book.
I actually expected that this would be the sequel or more like the joining of Olivia and Wyatt and their upcoming fight for survival.
Well, I guess not.
May 25, 2020
Fabulous
Noooooo - is all I can say about the end!
Again this is well written and the characters have depth. Really enjoying how this book is developing. I’m looking forward to then next one.
Noooooo - is all I can say about the end!
Again this is well written and the characters have depth. Really enjoying how this book is developing. I’m looking forward to then next one.
May 14, 2017
One of the best books I have read this year. please see my review at my blog RA Girl
June 13, 2017
Omg!!! Loved it!!
April 27, 2020
A slightly darker book than the others. I enjoyed it though.
August 9, 2017
Great Follow Up
I read Devour first, so I had a pretty good idea of how it would end, but I couldn't help rooting for Colin. The group dynamic was intriguing. Combined with Colin's emotional upheaval, it made for a surprising, but realistic outcome. I'm diving into Officer Ward's book now, book 0.5. Hoping there is more to come. Really hoping Officer Ward finds the Farm.
I read Devour first, so I had a pretty good idea of how it would end, but I couldn't help rooting for Colin. The group dynamic was intriguing. Combined with Colin's emotional upheaval, it made for a surprising, but realistic outcome. I'm diving into Officer Ward's book now, book 0.5. Hoping there is more to come. Really hoping Officer Ward finds the Farm.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews