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Side Effects #1
Side Effects: Book One: First Days
18 year old college freshman, Emily Adler, has found herself in the middle of a waking nightmare. People are randomly going crazy and feasting on the flesh of those around them. Worse than that, once dead, the others return to join in.
Her only hope of survival is to rely on the training that her father has given her and pray that she can reach her family’s cabin nestled in the safety of the Cascade Mountains. Her father has supplied it with everything they could need to survive, if only she can reach it unscathed.
Armed with a bugout bag and a fierce determination, she sets out on a harrowing journey with her best friend Drew and her roommate Anna. The question of what they will find when they reach the cabin becomes more pressing as they get closer to their destination and further from what’s left of the civilization they once knew.
Her only hope of survival is to rely on the training that her father has given her and pray that she can reach her family’s cabin nestled in the safety of the Cascade Mountains. Her father has supplied it with everything they could need to survive, if only she can reach it unscathed.
Armed with a bugout bag and a fierce determination, she sets out on a harrowing journey with her best friend Drew and her roommate Anna. The question of what they will find when they reach the cabin becomes more pressing as they get closer to their destination and further from what’s left of the civilization they once knew.
- GenresZombies
394 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 15, 2017
106 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 11, 2017
The apocalyptic genre is my favorite, but zombies not so much. However, this story is able to tie both of those into a fast-paced, thrill of a ride that is packed to the brim with hidden gems of good advice. It's a slightly reminiscent of The Stand, but with zombies. The situations that these 'kids' run into are plausible and the realism of plot makes it a sure pager turner. I can't wait to see what's in store for the heroes in the next installment of the story.
August 7, 2017
Side Effects: Book One: First Days (Volume 1), by Dusti Dawn Rose, tells the tale of Em and Drew, along with Em’s roommate Anna, a little boy, and a few others who get sucked in along the way. The zombie apocalypse has happened, but Em’s father has been prepping her and her best friend Drew for the end of the world since they were children. Em decides to take Anna, and they pick up a 4-year-old at an accident site. Em and Drew seem to take the idea of the zombie apocalypse happening remarkably in their stride. They take it equally in stride when the kid claims to have prophetic dreams and visions.
It’s clear that the real meat of the story for the author is the prepping and survivalism. Those get loving drawn out over a fairly long space, whereas the zombies and the bad guy humans are almost afterthoughts. On the one hand, I’ve been wanting to read something more like that. On the other hand, First Days glosses over so much that the rest becomes unbelievable. There should have been more amazement or disbelief on the parts of the characters when things like prescient dreams and actual zombies entered the story. Instead the author raced right past those.
I was very ambivalent as to whether I cared enough to read more of the story or not. Some of the characters had some decent depth (especially Anna), but overall I didn’t care enough about the characters or their travails. It’s clear the author has some skill, but that skill also needs polish and honing.
Originally posted on my site: http://www.errantdreams.com/2017/08/r...
It’s clear that the real meat of the story for the author is the prepping and survivalism. Those get loving drawn out over a fairly long space, whereas the zombies and the bad guy humans are almost afterthoughts. On the one hand, I’ve been wanting to read something more like that. On the other hand, First Days glosses over so much that the rest becomes unbelievable. There should have been more amazement or disbelief on the parts of the characters when things like prescient dreams and actual zombies entered the story. Instead the author raced right past those.
I was very ambivalent as to whether I cared enough to read more of the story or not. Some of the characters had some decent depth (especially Anna), but overall I didn’t care enough about the characters or their travails. It’s clear the author has some skill, but that skill also needs polish and honing.
Originally posted on my site: http://www.errantdreams.com/2017/08/r...
November 8, 2017
This book should be listed as "Young Adult". If I liked YA fiction, my rating for this story would be much higher. I recommend the author change the category to include YA.
The premise, of course, is very good. It is a bit of a stretch that an 18 or 19 year old college woman would be completely trained and prepared for the apocalypse, and in the fashion that she is. But of course, any very young woman *not* prepared since childhood probably wouldn't survive, and so would not be the hero of a book.
Other aspects of the story are a little too unbelievable. I found the romance a bit annoying. But again, if you like YA fiction meant to be read by young adult girls and women, all of these things become pluses.
The author makes a few writing errors. She tends to omit punctuation at times. A few minor typos, a grammar error here and there. Technically, the author has done a far better job than authors with dozens of published works.
Even though my review is two stars, this is a *very* good first novel, especially for a young writer.
The premise, of course, is very good. It is a bit of a stretch that an 18 or 19 year old college woman would be completely trained and prepared for the apocalypse, and in the fashion that she is. But of course, any very young woman *not* prepared since childhood probably wouldn't survive, and so would not be the hero of a book.
Other aspects of the story are a little too unbelievable. I found the romance a bit annoying. But again, if you like YA fiction meant to be read by young adult girls and women, all of these things become pluses.
The author makes a few writing errors. She tends to omit punctuation at times. A few minor typos, a grammar error here and there. Technically, the author has done a far better job than authors with dozens of published works.
Even though my review is two stars, this is a *very* good first novel, especially for a young writer.
February 15, 2018
I read this on my Kindle Unlimited.
The beginning of this book isn't a work of excellence, well actually the entire book isn't a work of excellence, but it did improve as I read on.
There are some really good scenes and some very boring ones, I love how one zombie changed in the kitchen right before he tells her he can smell her blood and hear her heart beat, then then attempts to make a tasty snack of her brain.
Jimmy, the little boy with amazing powers of seeing the future, adds an amazing extra quality to the story. I would love to have him around for an extinction event--plus he's just a cute little kid.
There is a second book, but I believe it deals more with Emily's dad's story, and I'm not sure how much the characters of the first book will be involved.
Overall a good zombie book with a few twists involved.
The beginning of this book isn't a work of excellence, well actually the entire book isn't a work of excellence, but it did improve as I read on.
There are some really good scenes and some very boring ones, I love how one zombie changed in the kitchen right before he tells her he can smell her blood and hear her heart beat, then then attempts to make a tasty snack of her brain.
Jimmy, the little boy with amazing powers of seeing the future, adds an amazing extra quality to the story. I would love to have him around for an extinction event--plus he's just a cute little kid.
There is a second book, but I believe it deals more with Emily's dad's story, and I'm not sure how much the characters of the first book will be involved.
Overall a good zombie book with a few twists involved.
June 10, 2017
Side effects
Really really love this book and the character's, there is a lot of adventure, love and family in this book and throw in some zombies and you got a great read, looking for the next one.well done!!!!
Really really love this book and the character's, there is a lot of adventure, love and family in this book and throw in some zombies and you got a great read, looking for the next one.well done!!!!
June 23, 2017
I really enjoyed the book! I like that it really focuses on the characters and the emotional side of them. The only thing that I didn't care for was how well Jimmy talked. I get that he's super smart, but he's still a 4 year old boy. I could picture him better as 7 or 8.
November 30, 2017
Great story
This was just my kind of Zom book. Lots of action a little love and it actually had a story line. The characters had loads of personality. I can’t wait to read the next book.
This was just my kind of Zom book. Lots of action a little love and it actually had a story line. The characters had loads of personality. I can’t wait to read the next book.
December 19, 2017
Great story
Zombies exist in this book, but they aren't the focus of this story. This is a story about how people react and survive in horrible circumstances. Definitely suitable reading for 15 and up with only a few swear words and very mild violence.
Zombies exist in this book, but they aren't the focus of this story. This is a story about how people react and survive in horrible circumstances. Definitely suitable reading for 15 and up with only a few swear words and very mild violence.
January 14, 2018
Good Book !!
I really enjoyed this book.I was on pens and needle through the groups journey to get to their cabin.There was action almost from page one.Can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
I really enjoyed this book.I was on pens and needle through the groups journey to get to their cabin.There was action almost from page one.Can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
May 8, 2017
Liked the story
It gave hope that maybe they could find a cure. Loved Jimmy a small boy with special abilities. There were good people besides all the zombies and just had guys.
It gave hope that maybe they could find a cure. Loved Jimmy a small boy with special abilities. There were good people besides all the zombies and just had guys.
June 7, 2017
Great book
Highly recommend. Well written great characters you can connect with. Can't wait for the next one! Hope it's coming out soon.
Highly recommend. Well written great characters you can connect with. Can't wait for the next one! Hope it's coming out soon.
June 21, 2017
Fast paced action with intriguing characters but a bit more unbelievable than most apocalypse stories.
April 21, 2018
The occasional illogical plotting and clunky writing is saved by two very bad ass and well prepared female teenage heroines.
September 2, 2018
Well written...
I really liked this book and am looking forward to the next one! Great character development and likeable characters.. Now to book #2...
I really liked this book and am looking forward to the next one! Great character development and likeable characters.. Now to book #2...
August 22, 2017
I have to say for a debut novel I was pleasantly surprised with this read.
I was eager to continue reading this to see how the story evolved, I quite liked that is wasn't your typical zombie apocalyptic killing frenzy.
I could see where the author was trying to go with capturing the individual characters, apart from a couple of typos which in no way put me off, I felt the storyline only continued to get stronger.
I definitely want to read the next instalment from this author, I take my hat off to her and look forward to the next instalment. A debut novel and a very enjoyable read.
I was eager to continue reading this to see how the story evolved, I quite liked that is wasn't your typical zombie apocalyptic killing frenzy.
I could see where the author was trying to go with capturing the individual characters, apart from a couple of typos which in no way put me off, I felt the storyline only continued to get stronger.
I definitely want to read the next instalment from this author, I take my hat off to her and look forward to the next instalment. A debut novel and a very enjoyable read.
October 12, 2017
Great first novel; I'd actually give it a 3.5 if I could. I liked that the story centered on the relationships between the characters and less on the gore that it could have. The characters were a little flat but still, I enjoyed their dialogue.
The only thing that bothered me was the lack of editing. I found several mistakes and the formatting was off. I think had those small, simple things been fixed, I would've been able to read through happily. Instead, I kept noticing them and it was frustrating.
Overall, wonderful first effort by DDR and I cannot wait for the next zombie installment for her.
The only thing that bothered me was the lack of editing. I found several mistakes and the formatting was off. I think had those small, simple things been fixed, I would've been able to read through happily. Instead, I kept noticing them and it was frustrating.
Overall, wonderful first effort by DDR and I cannot wait for the next zombie installment for her.
April 19, 2017
Great First Novel
I was surprised at the end to read this was a first novel. It was amazing well written with a unique story line that is still developing and well thought out characters. I only had one complaint and it was the repeated phrasing the main character used when referring to her boyfriend Drew. I just don't think many 18 year olds talk like that and having it says three times in n the book was a bit too much for me. Other than that I enjoyed the novel and look forward to book two.
I was surprised at the end to read this was a first novel. It was amazing well written with a unique story line that is still developing and well thought out characters. I only had one complaint and it was the repeated phrasing the main character used when referring to her boyfriend Drew. I just don't think many 18 year olds talk like that and having it says three times in n the book was a bit too much for me. Other than that I enjoyed the novel and look forward to book two.
April 22, 2017
Do not pass this one up!
DDR has written her first book & she did not let us down! The relationship between Emily and Drew is one we won't soon forget, nor are the face eating creepers that are lurking around every turn. As with most first time authors it takes a few chapters for DDR to find her groove, but you can definitely feel the connection and passion put into her work. I'll be waiting for book two, filled with all the adventure and hardships that may come!
~ SPOILER ALERT (Well kinda not really) ~
.
.
.
.
Note to author:
Thank you for not killing off "you know who" now I don't have to use my Stamps for hate mail! 😂 Congratulations on your first book release!!
DDR has written her first book & she did not let us down! The relationship between Emily and Drew is one we won't soon forget, nor are the face eating creepers that are lurking around every turn. As with most first time authors it takes a few chapters for DDR to find her groove, but you can definitely feel the connection and passion put into her work. I'll be waiting for book two, filled with all the adventure and hardships that may come!
~ SPOILER ALERT (Well kinda not really) ~
.
.
.
.
Note to author:
Thank you for not killing off "you know who" now I don't have to use my Stamps for hate mail! 😂 Congratulations on your first book release!!
April 24, 2017
Loved it
Excellent book. Couldn't put it down. My favorite character is Jimmy. Truly an old soul for sure. I look forward to more books.
Excellent book. Couldn't put it down. My favorite character is Jimmy. Truly an old soul for sure. I look forward to more books.
May 1, 2017
Felt kind of flat. The characters were basic and the emotions just were not there. It was a readable story, just not great. It all felt too convenient too...everthing always worked out just so with no real effort put forth. Even their own mishaps/injuries were easily overcome. Just did not feel all that real to me. Decent enough read, but I doubt I will read the next in the series.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews