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No Man's Land
"It wasn’t supposed to happen like this." When Leah and Calvin found out they were expecting, they were over the moon. That day would be one to remember forever… but for more reasons than one. That was the day the world changed. That was the day joy turned to fear. A deadly virus broke out, with many of those infected becoming violent and uncontrollable. And it was spreading fast. Realising they are no longer safe in their own home, they make a break out of the city to find sanctuary. But when Leah is bitten, Calvin faces the unimaginable struggle of having to take care of their newborn alone. Traveling with the baby and his dead wife in tow, he comes across Hannah, a young girl who lost her family to the virus. They make their way across country together, meeting others trying to find their own sanctuary. They eventually find safety but Calvin soon realises all is not as it seems and he must make an agonizing choice.
- GenresHorrorPost Apocalyptic
ebook
First published October 2, 2017
159 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
June 13, 2025
4.5 stars. I am definitely not a huge zombie outbreak fan, mostly because it always seems to be the same situations, characters, etc. Much like hauntings, there only seem to be like three different plots that just get recycled over and over. And while Jacqueline Druga didn’t take any big risks or introduce anything different here, I really enjoyed the experience. An adequate amount of emotion and character depth, a smooth pace, and a powerful ending. I actually got a little misty reading the very end, which doesn’t happen often. Calvin is a tremendous lead, and Hannah is a solid copilot, with Leah somehow maintaining a really great presence throughout, too. She has a very heartfelt finale in the end, too, which was just added to the emotional aspect of the conclusion. But I really enjoyed this book and the author has made me second guess some of my longstanding stances on certain types of horror subgenres.
May 9, 2021
4.5 stars
December 25, 2017
Good bones.
This book is a quick and dirty read, and it has good bones. The plot twist truly took me by surprise. I think that the author could have beefed it up and made it better but it was good for what it was.
This book is a quick and dirty read, and it has good bones. The plot twist truly took me by surprise. I think that the author could have beefed it up and made it better but it was good for what it was.
January 8, 2018
This story isn't quite what I expected. It's essentially zombie fiction, a genre too unrealistic for my enjoyment. However this story managed to draw me in and keep me listening for it's four and a half hour duration, due mainly to the character of Hannah.
Andrew B. Wehrlen delivers a satisfactory performance with distinctive character voices and appropriate pacing.
NOTE: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Andrew B. Wehrlen delivers a satisfactory performance with distinctive character voices and appropriate pacing.
NOTE: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
June 14, 2025
Calvin and Leah are thrilled to be pregnant and are looking forward to life as parents. But things don't turn out like that and their world is turned upside down. An outbreak has happened and the people who are infected are turning incredibly vicious, and it's spreading faster than it can be contained. Calvin and Leah soon realise that they are no longer safe in their house and so set about leaving, but Leah is bitten. She goes into labour and the child is born. Leah changes not long after and Calvin can't bring himself to kill her. He takes off with his newborn, Edward, in search of a sanctuary.
This book was such a great read. Calvin isn't military, he isn't a prepper, he is just a normal man trying to survive. He doesn't have a clue what to do or where to go, but he will do his best to keep himself and his newborn alive. I loved his character!! Along the way Calvin meets Hannah. They join forces to get to safety but sometimes it's not the zombies you will have to worry about!!
The plot was well written and developed. Its simply about people trying to survive unsurvivable conditions. There was a lot of emotions running through me while reading this, and that twist at the end just about broke me.
I've read a few books by this author and she always delivers great characters. Calvin, Hannah and Edward will stay with me for a long time!! It's also nice to read a stand alone zombie book and not feel like there was things left unsaid.
Andrew B. Wehrlen did a great job with this. He put real emotion behind his reading and it showed!! He brought the atmosphere of the book to life and brought Calvin alive. Such a great performance.
I was given this free audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. This in no way affected nor influenced my thoughts.
This book was such a great read. Calvin isn't military, he isn't a prepper, he is just a normal man trying to survive. He doesn't have a clue what to do or where to go, but he will do his best to keep himself and his newborn alive. I loved his character!! Along the way Calvin meets Hannah. They join forces to get to safety but sometimes it's not the zombies you will have to worry about!!
The plot was well written and developed. Its simply about people trying to survive unsurvivable conditions. There was a lot of emotions running through me while reading this, and that twist at the end just about broke me.
I've read a few books by this author and she always delivers great characters. Calvin, Hannah and Edward will stay with me for a long time!! It's also nice to read a stand alone zombie book and not feel like there was things left unsaid.
Andrew B. Wehrlen did a great job with this. He put real emotion behind his reading and it showed!! He brought the atmosphere of the book to life and brought Calvin alive. Such a great performance.
I was given this free audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. This in no way affected nor influenced my thoughts.
January 5, 2018
We are presented with a different, if not somewhat unique, twist on the apocalypse/survival genre. Our main character Calvin, a recently widowed man must make his way through not only the infected but the misfits and maniacs to find safety with his newborn son. The infected in this tale are different as well. His bitten and turned wife trails along behind Calvin meekly following her husband and son as if some vague memories remain. A young girl named Hannah befriends Calvin and joins with him for security and to find safety. I enjoyed the plot line with the newborn and I especially liked the interaction with Hannah. This is a wonderful sort of heartwarming story with our protagonist having to make difficult and critical decisions far outside of his comfort zone. That Calvin made it as far as he did and survived at all is rather amazing, but he was indeed lucky and had significant help along the way. Andrew Wehrlen’s excellent narration added considerable enjoyment to this listen. This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.
October 11, 2017
This one was not a favorite for me. It was a good book, I just had trouble with parts of it on a personal level. That being said, Jacqueline Druga did her usual fine job with the characters of the story. These are people you can cheer for, hate, and love. They are people you know. I think that is what keeps drawing me to Ms Druga's books, her characterization. Her main character is never perfect. Just someone caught in an awful situation doing the best they can.
November 27, 2017
Awesome book
This is a wonderful zombie read, with more ups and downs then a rollercoaster! Follow calvin from the moment he hears about the zombie outbreak and gets to his wife never thinking they would have to endure her pregnancy during a zombie outbreak. This is the best kind of zombie book no military influence, just the people struggling to survive! with one really good omg moment at the end of the story.. That i did not see coming.
This is a wonderful zombie read, with more ups and downs then a rollercoaster! Follow calvin from the moment he hears about the zombie outbreak and gets to his wife never thinking they would have to endure her pregnancy during a zombie outbreak. This is the best kind of zombie book no military influence, just the people struggling to survive! with one really good omg moment at the end of the story.. That i did not see coming.
November 7, 2017
No Man's Land
Oh man oh man, so good from the beginning and just building onward with suspense. Thank you for another great read. And that ending blew my mind. Nice job. I think I'll read Fever next.
Oh man oh man, so good from the beginning and just building onward with suspense. Thank you for another great read. And that ending blew my mind. Nice job. I think I'll read Fever next.
February 28, 2018
Quick, easy read
Enjoyable enough story and a quick read but needs some serious proofreading. Lots of typos e.g. prefect instead of perfect and the repeated use of 'hoards' instead of 'hordes' to describe groups of people are a bit irritating.
Enjoyable enough story and a quick read but needs some serious proofreading. Lots of typos e.g. prefect instead of perfect and the repeated use of 'hoards' instead of 'hordes' to describe groups of people are a bit irritating.
January 30, 2018
( Format : Audiobook )
"What is this world coming to? The end."
A slightly different take on the zombie apocalypse.
When Calvin's retiring work colleague invites him and his wife, Leah, to join him in his newly acquired remote retreat in Montana to escape the ravages of an approaching world wide disaster, Calvin rejects the idea as ridiculous paranoia. But some weeks later, as cities are closed, transport and roads blocked and curfews imposed against the spread of a virulent unknown illness, he realises his mistake and that he and his pregnant wife have left it too late. When Leah dies in childbirth, Calvin desperately tries to get himself and the newborn baby to safety.
An intriguing story, told in the first person by Calvin with occasional flashbacks to the happy time before it all went so very wrong, No Man's Land is quick and easy to read. Characterisation is scanty but sufficient and the ending unexpected. And as with all such books, there are some scenes of a slightly harrowing nature. As always with Andrew Wehrlen's narrations, the reading is well paced and very fitting to the text, with an understanding and clarity without violently emotional outbursts, which serves to add a further dimension to the text. Other characters are also individually well voiced.
Although not totally disimilar to other books of this genre, there are sufficient novelty aspects to the story which makes it worthwhile reading for zombie fans. My thanks to the rights holder who freely gifted me a complimentary copy of No Man's Land, at my request, via Audiobook Boom. It was an enjoyable listen.
"What is this world coming to? The end."
A slightly different take on the zombie apocalypse.
When Calvin's retiring work colleague invites him and his wife, Leah, to join him in his newly acquired remote retreat in Montana to escape the ravages of an approaching world wide disaster, Calvin rejects the idea as ridiculous paranoia. But some weeks later, as cities are closed, transport and roads blocked and curfews imposed against the spread of a virulent unknown illness, he realises his mistake and that he and his pregnant wife have left it too late. When Leah dies in childbirth, Calvin desperately tries to get himself and the newborn baby to safety.
An intriguing story, told in the first person by Calvin with occasional flashbacks to the happy time before it all went so very wrong, No Man's Land is quick and easy to read. Characterisation is scanty but sufficient and the ending unexpected. And as with all such books, there are some scenes of a slightly harrowing nature. As always with Andrew Wehrlen's narrations, the reading is well paced and very fitting to the text, with an understanding and clarity without violently emotional outbursts, which serves to add a further dimension to the text. Other characters are also individually well voiced.
Although not totally disimilar to other books of this genre, there are sufficient novelty aspects to the story which makes it worthwhile reading for zombie fans. My thanks to the rights holder who freely gifted me a complimentary copy of No Man's Land, at my request, via Audiobook Boom. It was an enjoyable listen.
February 2, 2020
Again well written and the narrator excellent as always. Like the previous audiobook there is a new take on a zombie apocalypse one myself never really thought about a women infected who is pregnant and dies while giving birth what about the child. Is the child alive or dead in a world of zombies can healthy children be born by infected or uninfected women. You listen to the story of a father who looses his wife at childbirth and he tries to provide a loving home for the child but at the same time his deceased now zombie wife follows them during the day and going out at night to feed. The father and son keep getting turned away from places that are supposed to be shelter for people who are not infected but no one why this is happening until he is attacked and the child is is taken and he is beaten pretty badly. Afterwards he meets and is save by a girl of 12 who was there and was able to take the baby and hide him. In the story see the cruelty of mankind when they should be trying to help survivors among them is religious leaders, soldiers and just common people who are out for themself. There is one person and her sisters who show humanity to survivors by giving them food, shelter and not judging them.
To find the answer to childbirth you have to listen to this audiobook and be ready for an adventure you find hope and despair, and love and hatred
To find the answer to childbirth you have to listen to this audiobook and be ready for an adventure you find hope and despair, and love and hatred
February 2, 2021
I love a good apocalypse novel. This one is rated PG and I enjoyed it. There's a twist at the end (and actually throughout) that is kinda nice.
Wifey is a clueless liability to poor Calvin. For goodness sakes, she's bitten the second day of their escape from the city because she's STUPID. The little girl Hannah is actually a better and smarter traveling companion.
:::::::
At first I didn't like the reader. It took several tries to get into the story. I'm not sure if the narrator is a drama school dropout or head of the graduating class or maybe just a wannabe dramatic actor. In exasperation I'd say, "Just tell the story, Dude. Just read the words." I would back it up or go to something else to get away from the breathless drama-- and that was at the beginning. I persevered although several times at the beginning I almost gave up. I'm not sure if I got used to his style or he got better.
Wifey is a clueless liability to poor Calvin. For goodness sakes, she's bitten the second day of their escape from the city because she's STUPID. The little girl Hannah is actually a better and smarter traveling companion.
:::::::
At first I didn't like the reader. It took several tries to get into the story. I'm not sure if the narrator is a drama school dropout or head of the graduating class or maybe just a wannabe dramatic actor. In exasperation I'd say, "Just tell the story, Dude. Just read the words." I would back it up or go to something else to get away from the breathless drama-- and that was at the beginning. I persevered although several times at the beginning I almost gave up. I'm not sure if I got used to his style or he got better.
January 21, 2019
I keep thinking I've been desensitized against zombies, that nothing surprises me anymore. I'm not, there is always something I haven't seen before or thought of.
This book kept me engaged, I really liked Calvin. I felt sorry for him and his poor docile zombie wife. Hannah was a wonderfully smart little girl who was my favorite from the second she showed up. I honestly don't know how I thought it would end? With Calvin feeding his wife and carrying on in isolation? I did NOT expect
This book kept me engaged, I really liked Calvin. I felt sorry for him and his poor docile zombie wife. Hannah was a wonderfully smart little girl who was my favorite from the second she showed up. I honestly don't know how I thought it would end? With Calvin feeding his wife and carrying on in isolation? I did NOT expect
September 26, 2017
I just finished reading this book - it is the first time I read a book by this author and it will not be the last.
The book starts out kind of slow and gathers speed, there is a twist at the end that if I paid attention to it would have not surprised me.
Calivn and the people he meets have to deal with situations that could be deadly.
I have read a lot of zombie books and I like the character development and situations in the book, I think you will also.
The book starts out kind of slow and gathers speed, there is a twist at the end that if I paid attention to it would have not surprised me.
Calivn and the people he meets have to deal with situations that could be deadly.
I have read a lot of zombie books and I like the character development and situations in the book, I think you will also.
March 6, 2018
Calvin and wife Leah are expecting a baby when a virus hits the USA.Their plan is to get out,but they are running out of time.I loved this story.The ending was heartbreaking.Andrew B.Wehrlen was a terrific narrator.“I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.”
March 17, 2018
Enjoyable enough story and a quick read, The story follows Calvin who is trying to get to a safe place for himself and his son after he loses his wife during childbirth after she was bitten by a zombie. I really liked the plot twist at the end didn’t see that one coming and a good read for anyone who likes post-apocalyptic books.
December 16, 2019
Clever take on the theme
I have read a number of these types of books, many of which were a multi-book series, and this one surprised me. The Ms. Druga lulled me into a sense of expected sameness, and I assumed how it might end. She is a clever writer who creates believable characters with realistic dialogue, even when the characters are in unrealistic situations. I think she has a fairly good grasp of the human nature.
I have read a number of these types of books, many of which were a multi-book series, and this one surprised me. The Ms. Druga lulled me into a sense of expected sameness, and I assumed how it might end. She is a clever writer who creates believable characters with realistic dialogue, even when the characters are in unrealistic situations. I think she has a fairly good grasp of the human nature.
July 6, 2021
It was good, a different take on the zombie apocalypse type books. A shocker at the end, for sure. If you like those types of books, read this one. I haven't read a zombie book with a newborn baby involved in the plot. I got mine from Kindle, and if you don't like typos, you may want to get in a different form.
September 21, 2023
I generally like Druga's books. The plots are not the typical "traumatized veteran with a rifle rescues a woman and they find a dog and join a community that turns out to be fascist but they escape."
But the main character in this one is an idiot, and I had no patience with him. Life's too short.
But the main character in this one is an idiot, and I had no patience with him. Life's too short.
November 20, 2017
Very good
Calvin is not a perfect man. He makes mistakes. Emotions, common decency and his very humanity is his downfall and his saving grace. A story that touches psychological reasoning at a deep level.
Calvin is not a perfect man. He makes mistakes. Emotions, common decency and his very humanity is his downfall and his saving grace. A story that touches psychological reasoning at a deep level.
May 14, 2018
A Man and his Wife
Enjoyed the book. Cal summed it up completely.... I took ‘denial’ to the extreme.
Denial. Loyalty. Love. Survival.
Funniest line: “Oh, I am not a hero. Never was and probably never will be. I don’t have it in me. I’m an accountant.
Enjoyed the book. Cal summed it up completely.... I took ‘denial’ to the extreme.
Denial. Loyalty. Love. Survival.
Funniest line: “Oh, I am not a hero. Never was and probably never will be. I don’t have it in me. I’m an accountant.
September 26, 2018
No Man's Land
I've only read a few of Ms. Druga's novels, but I feel maybe I'll be reading more of them after this one! Sympathetic characters, a really different EOTHAWKI storyline, and a heartwarming ending made this a pleasure to read!
I've only read a few of Ms. Druga's novels, but I feel maybe I'll be reading more of them after this one! Sympathetic characters, a really different EOTHAWKI storyline, and a heartwarming ending made this a pleasure to read!
October 26, 2018
Absolutely Amazing!!
This book shows so much emotional connection between the characters, I cried at the end!! This is a must read for those who love zombie apocalypse books that are realistic. I can't wait to read the authors other books!
This book shows so much emotional connection between the characters, I cried at the end!! This is a must read for those who love zombie apocalypse books that are realistic. I can't wait to read the authors other books!
January 2, 2021
Greta writer and narrator team! Druga brings nonstop action and Wehrlen brings the voice!
I loved this an dig ha some twists you don’t see coming. Hanna is so smart. Loved her character.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review
I loved this an dig ha some twists you don’t see coming. Hanna is so smart. Loved her character.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review
October 18, 2017
Good story
I liked the characters. It was sad that bad people were worse than some monsters. I liked Hanna she was the best hero. She had to be tough to survive.
I liked the characters. It was sad that bad people were worse than some monsters. I liked Hanna she was the best hero. She had to be tough to survive.
December 1, 2017
quick read
Enjoyed the book and couldn’t put it down. Hope there is a second book. Would be a great series. 😀
Enjoyed the book and couldn’t put it down. Hope there is a second book. Would be a great series. 😀
December 3, 2017
Best Druga book in a while.
I couldn't finish the last few books by J Druga but this book was much better than the last few.
I couldn't finish the last few books by J Druga but this book was much better than the last few.
December 7, 2017
Great book
It was a good read. Not at all what i expect the ending to be! Great! Had a hard time putting it down.
It was a good read. Not at all what i expect the ending to be! Great! Had a hard time putting it down.
December 9, 2017
New twist
I liked the plot twist. Very good read. A must for anyone who likes post apocalyptic books and surviving the dead.
I liked the plot twist. Very good read. A must for anyone who likes post apocalyptic books and surviving the dead.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews