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The Dead Walk The Earth #1
Outbreak: Hinter den Linien
Während die Welt von Krisenherden erschüttert wird, tritt plötzlich eine noch weitaus größere Bedrohung auf den Plan. Ein Grippevirus von nie da gewesener Aggressivität breitet sich unaufhaltsam aus und verwandelt die Opfer in mordgierige Untote.
Acht Soldaten, die es gewohnt sind, im Verborgenen zu operieren, geraten auf diese Weise plötzlich in eine Falle. Eine Gefahr, mit der keiner gerechnet hat und auf die man sich nicht vorbereiten konnte. Doch offiziell hat niemand Kenntnis von ihnen – und sie gelten als entbehrlich. Völlig auf sich allein gestellt, müssen Stan und seine Männer nun ums nackte Überleben kämpfen. In einer Welt, wo der Tod erst der Anfang von etwas noch Schrecklicherem ist …
Acht Soldaten, die es gewohnt sind, im Verborgenen zu operieren, geraten auf diese Weise plötzlich in eine Falle. Eine Gefahr, mit der keiner gerechnet hat und auf die man sich nicht vorbereiten konnte. Doch offiziell hat niemand Kenntnis von ihnen – und sie gelten als entbehrlich. Völlig auf sich allein gestellt, müssen Stan und seine Männer nun ums nackte Überleben kämpfen. In einer Welt, wo der Tod erst der Anfang von etwas noch Schrecklicherem ist …
368 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
84 people are currently reading
215 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
July 13, 2016
This is an okay book. For me not as well written as his previous When There's No More Room in Hell: A Zombie Novel series, which I greatly enjoyed with expert character development and few wasted words. In this book I felt Mr. Duffy wasted a lot of words/time on frivolous things. I have already started the second book in this series which seems to better represent this fine author's writing style.
Follow this link for my review of this whole series
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Follow this link for my review of this whole series
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
November 13, 2020
Inhalt/Meinung
Zombies. Ehrlich Leute, muss ich da noch mehr sagen? Wohl nicht, oder?
Auf jeden Fall hab ich „Outbreak“ gelesen und mich auf die Zombies gefreut. Die Geschichte liest sich wahnsinnig schnell weg (laut A sind es 336 Seiten), ich hab kaum gemerkt, wie fix ich durch die Seiten flog (im übertragenen Sinne, ich hab es auf dem Kindle gelesen). Das fand ich auf jeden Fall echt gut und … leider für einige Stellen im Buch auch wirklich angebracht.
Die Story drehts ich um die acht Elitesoldaten, die nur Aufträge annehmen, die nicht offiziell erledigt werden können. Sie agieren im Verborgenen, im Geheimen und zur Not kann die Regierung sie einfach abstoßen. Sie existieren quasi nicht. Aber es sind gute Soldaten, die ihr Handwerk verstehen und vor keiner Aufgabe Angst zeigen. Die Gruppe der Soldaten fand ich tatsächlich sympathisch. Jeder hat so seine Eigenarten, aber auf eine gute Art und Weise. Natürlich hat sie das geprägt, was sie alles schon erlebt haben, aber das ist vollkommen in Ordnung. Einige der Männer lernt man in einzelnen Kapiteln näher kennen, andere bleiben eher flach, aber da ich noch einen zweiten Teil vor mir habe, will ich dazu noch nicht mehr sagen. Kann sein, dass ich die Gruppe, bzw einzelne Mitglieder noch besser kennenlerne.
Was mich ein wenig verwirrt hat, war der Aufbau der Story. Das erste Kapitel fängt an und spielt schon in der Zombiezeit, sozusagen. Dann kommt ein Zeitsprung über mehrere (wirklich viele?) Jahre und dann setzt die Geschichte richtig an. Also las ich quasi die ganze Zeit in der Vergangenheit? Ich bin mir nicht sicher, aber das hat mich ein wenig irritiert, weil ich dachte, das am Ende der Bogen zum Anfang wieder geschlagen wird. Dem war leider nicht so.
Wie schon gesagt, fand ich ca die erste Hälfte sehr zäh. Die Story zog sich wie Zombies übers leere Feld, mich langweilten die sehr ausschweifenden militärischen Beschreibungen (die ich dadurch oftmals einfach überflog). Ungefähr ab der zweiten Hälfte zieht der Autor das Tempo aber merklich an. Für manchen könnte es jetzt fast schon zu schnell gehen, da ich den Anfang aber so ewiglang fand, war es für mich okay. Außerdem überschlagen sich die Ereignisse, dazu passt das Tempo also auch auf jeden Fall.
Ich finde, dass die erste Hälfte gut und gerne hätte gekürzt werden können. Oder mehr Zombies. Es wird fröhlich durch Handlungsstränge unterschiedlicher Figuren gesprungen, deren Verbindung erst bei einem zufälligen Zusammentreffen klar wird. Ich bin mir nicht sicher, ob die Richtung der Geschichte von Anfang an klar war. Es wirkte mich zu Anfang wirklich so, als ginge es hier um die Soldatentruppe und den ganzen Militärkram, den diese Gruppe eben mit sich bringt. So wirklich Zombiehaft wird es erst spät. Vielleicht wurde zwischendrin der Plot geändert? Man weiß es nicht.
Schreiben kann der Autor auf jeden Fall, auch wenn er sich gerne in Landschaftsbeschreibungen oder Militärstrategien verliert. Als das Tempo zügiger wurde, hat mir der Schreibstil am besten gefallen. Und da ich Band 2 schon auf dem Reader habe, werde ich auch weiterlesen. Denn so wirklich weiß ich leider noch nichts.
Zombies laufen über die Erde, die Soldaten sollten jemanden retten und sitzen nun fest. Zack, knapp 340 Seiten in einem Satz beschrieben. Vielleicht bin ich doch unzufriedener mit der Geschichte, als ich dachte.
Fazit
Abschließend lässt sich folgendes sagen: Hätte ich Band 2 nicht schon auf dem Reader, würde ich wohl eher nicht weiterlesen, denn bis jetzt finde ich die Gruppe zwar nett, aber ob sie Überleben oder nicht, ist mir aktuell egal. Die Story zieht sich bis zur Hälfte viel zu sehr in die Länge, um danach nur so zu rasen. Klassische Zombiestory, die aber leider einige Schwächen aufweist, um hier eine klare Leseempfehlung zu bekommen.
Zombies. Ehrlich Leute, muss ich da noch mehr sagen? Wohl nicht, oder?
Auf jeden Fall hab ich „Outbreak“ gelesen und mich auf die Zombies gefreut. Die Geschichte liest sich wahnsinnig schnell weg (laut A sind es 336 Seiten), ich hab kaum gemerkt, wie fix ich durch die Seiten flog (im übertragenen Sinne, ich hab es auf dem Kindle gelesen). Das fand ich auf jeden Fall echt gut und … leider für einige Stellen im Buch auch wirklich angebracht.
Die Story drehts ich um die acht Elitesoldaten, die nur Aufträge annehmen, die nicht offiziell erledigt werden können. Sie agieren im Verborgenen, im Geheimen und zur Not kann die Regierung sie einfach abstoßen. Sie existieren quasi nicht. Aber es sind gute Soldaten, die ihr Handwerk verstehen und vor keiner Aufgabe Angst zeigen. Die Gruppe der Soldaten fand ich tatsächlich sympathisch. Jeder hat so seine Eigenarten, aber auf eine gute Art und Weise. Natürlich hat sie das geprägt, was sie alles schon erlebt haben, aber das ist vollkommen in Ordnung. Einige der Männer lernt man in einzelnen Kapiteln näher kennen, andere bleiben eher flach, aber da ich noch einen zweiten Teil vor mir habe, will ich dazu noch nicht mehr sagen. Kann sein, dass ich die Gruppe, bzw einzelne Mitglieder noch besser kennenlerne.
Was mich ein wenig verwirrt hat, war der Aufbau der Story. Das erste Kapitel fängt an und spielt schon in der Zombiezeit, sozusagen. Dann kommt ein Zeitsprung über mehrere (wirklich viele?) Jahre und dann setzt die Geschichte richtig an. Also las ich quasi die ganze Zeit in der Vergangenheit? Ich bin mir nicht sicher, aber das hat mich ein wenig irritiert, weil ich dachte, das am Ende der Bogen zum Anfang wieder geschlagen wird. Dem war leider nicht so.
Wie schon gesagt, fand ich ca die erste Hälfte sehr zäh. Die Story zog sich wie Zombies übers leere Feld, mich langweilten die sehr ausschweifenden militärischen Beschreibungen (die ich dadurch oftmals einfach überflog). Ungefähr ab der zweiten Hälfte zieht der Autor das Tempo aber merklich an. Für manchen könnte es jetzt fast schon zu schnell gehen, da ich den Anfang aber so ewiglang fand, war es für mich okay. Außerdem überschlagen sich die Ereignisse, dazu passt das Tempo also auch auf jeden Fall.
Ich finde, dass die erste Hälfte gut und gerne hätte gekürzt werden können. Oder mehr Zombies. Es wird fröhlich durch Handlungsstränge unterschiedlicher Figuren gesprungen, deren Verbindung erst bei einem zufälligen Zusammentreffen klar wird. Ich bin mir nicht sicher, ob die Richtung der Geschichte von Anfang an klar war. Es wirkte mich zu Anfang wirklich so, als ginge es hier um die Soldatentruppe und den ganzen Militärkram, den diese Gruppe eben mit sich bringt. So wirklich Zombiehaft wird es erst spät. Vielleicht wurde zwischendrin der Plot geändert? Man weiß es nicht.
Schreiben kann der Autor auf jeden Fall, auch wenn er sich gerne in Landschaftsbeschreibungen oder Militärstrategien verliert. Als das Tempo zügiger wurde, hat mir der Schreibstil am besten gefallen. Und da ich Band 2 schon auf dem Reader habe, werde ich auch weiterlesen. Denn so wirklich weiß ich leider noch nichts.
Zombies laufen über die Erde, die Soldaten sollten jemanden retten und sitzen nun fest. Zack, knapp 340 Seiten in einem Satz beschrieben. Vielleicht bin ich doch unzufriedener mit der Geschichte, als ich dachte.
Fazit
Abschließend lässt sich folgendes sagen: Hätte ich Band 2 nicht schon auf dem Reader, würde ich wohl eher nicht weiterlesen, denn bis jetzt finde ich die Gruppe zwar nett, aber ob sie Überleben oder nicht, ist mir aktuell egal. Die Story zieht sich bis zur Hälfte viel zu sehr in die Länge, um danach nur so zu rasen. Klassische Zombiestory, die aber leider einige Schwächen aufweist, um hier eine klare Leseempfehlung zu bekommen.
October 13, 2017
Cliffhanger... :O :O
September 3, 2015
I have seen some glowing reviews of this on Goodreads and thought it sounded amazing so eagerly plugged in my headphones to listen. Maybe I should of read it because I think I would of enjoyed it more. The narrator was only OK. It sounded like, to me anyway, he was very stilted and up tight. I felt like all he did was read the lines given to him, he didn't preform nor give any life to the book. He seemed to stop for a second after every sentence which is why it felt so stilted and it came across as a monotone and unremarkable story.
As I said, I might of enjoyed this more if I had read it, but since I listened to it here are my thoughts on the story itself.
An elite team of soldiers are on a covert mission in the Middle East, their objective is to assassinate the head of a known terrorist group. Their mission goes successfully but on their way to their extraction point, they come across a village that has been destroyed, bodies of men, women and children are strewn everywhere. Straight off they see that something isn't right because there seems to be survivours among the dead, but these people seem different. The way they hold themselves and walk are off. As they get closer they start to see impossible things, people with devastating injuries are walking about aimlessly, that is until they see the soldiers. Suddenly they surge towards them and despite the soldiers firing, they keep coming. The soldiers soon learn that only head shots will stop them. They finally destroy the remaining people and head home. They soon learn that what they fought were the walking dead, and the disease is spreading through out the world. Their life is about to become much more difficult and the job a lot harder! Can they all survive?
Sounds great right? Well in one sense it totally was. The story itself was fairly fast paced and intense and I became invested in finding out what happens the team, but in another sense, I felt it was lacking. Maybe I missed it, but I never got the answer to how the disease came about!! I know I zoned out a lot while listening because of the narration, but I honestly couldn't say how the zombies came to be. We also never get a feel for who the characters are. We are thrown into the thick of things with them, but you don't really find out why they are the way they are. I would of liked a little back story on each.
Character wise, I did like them all. The comradeship between the team was amazing and I loved that part. I also loved how good they worked together and how much each of them valued the other. It really brought across the bond they have. I just wanted a little more character development.
In all, I think I may have to go buy the ebook and read this. The story itself was really good but I think I may have missed things because I didn't enjoy the narration and zoned out a bit. It's definitely a book that's still worth the read but maybe the book instead of the audio.
*I received a copy of this in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
As I said, I might of enjoyed this more if I had read it, but since I listened to it here are my thoughts on the story itself.
An elite team of soldiers are on a covert mission in the Middle East, their objective is to assassinate the head of a known terrorist group. Their mission goes successfully but on their way to their extraction point, they come across a village that has been destroyed, bodies of men, women and children are strewn everywhere. Straight off they see that something isn't right because there seems to be survivours among the dead, but these people seem different. The way they hold themselves and walk are off. As they get closer they start to see impossible things, people with devastating injuries are walking about aimlessly, that is until they see the soldiers. Suddenly they surge towards them and despite the soldiers firing, they keep coming. The soldiers soon learn that only head shots will stop them. They finally destroy the remaining people and head home. They soon learn that what they fought were the walking dead, and the disease is spreading through out the world. Their life is about to become much more difficult and the job a lot harder! Can they all survive?
Sounds great right? Well in one sense it totally was. The story itself was fairly fast paced and intense and I became invested in finding out what happens the team, but in another sense, I felt it was lacking. Maybe I missed it, but I never got the answer to how the disease came about!! I know I zoned out a lot while listening because of the narration, but I honestly couldn't say how the zombies came to be. We also never get a feel for who the characters are. We are thrown into the thick of things with them, but you don't really find out why they are the way they are. I would of liked a little back story on each.
Character wise, I did like them all. The comradeship between the team was amazing and I loved that part. I also loved how good they worked together and how much each of them valued the other. It really brought across the bond they have. I just wanted a little more character development.
In all, I think I may have to go buy the ebook and read this. The story itself was really good but I think I may have missed things because I didn't enjoy the narration and zoned out a bit. It's definitely a book that's still worth the read but maybe the book instead of the audio.
*I received a copy of this in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
July 4, 2015
Ongoing, as-I-read, review.
The very beginning was excellent, grabbed my attention and held it firm, as the story starts in the future, after the world has fallen apart. Then it quickly backtracks to what would be the present, and the first little bit there held the momentum. But then it died a speedy death from the boring minutiae of this "special" team. They are oh-so-awesome, and super-secret, yet a guy in their building was never in doubt that they were military (hey and he does drugs, so that is DEFINITELY someone you want to know about you as he is ALWAYS aware and in control of his thoughts, actions, and speech) and one of the guys goes and finds his mother and spends time with her, even though they are all supposed to be dead.
And they are all pretty much coming across as assholes. Lack of basic respect for others, especially those that work with you, even more so when they have your back and take the heat for you...that doesn't make you cool, it just makes you a dick.
Add in the little scene with the business guy cheating on his wife, which so far serves no purpose other than to make me want to jab something in my eyes from boredom...my desire to finish this has about reached rock bottom.
BUT...it's got a lot of high ratings, so I may try to stick with it. I just don't know. Possibly, if it had not started with the aftermath, the next part might not have clothes-lined me so bad. It is one thing to build up to the excitement, but to start with it, slam it to a complete and utter halt, and then try to rebuild it, at a creeping, creaking, crawl...that is quite another. *cries*
I finally finished it. Finally. I'll give it three stars, though most of the first 2/3 or so of the book dragged, A LOT, in places. The end was fairly exciting. There seemed to be a lot of errors. I do realize that U.K. English and U.S. English are different, so I'm not talking about "defence" or any variation, but is it normal to say something like "Sam run her fingers across the desk looking for her lost hair clip" (totally paraphrased and slaughtered, but the main point here is the use of "run" instead of "ran"). I seem to remember seeing that twice, at least. That was the most jarring to me, and while I know there were others that popped my eyes, that is the only one I remember off the top of my head.
There were also a lot of sentences that I thought should have been cut out because they were pointless or repeated an idea over and over to the point that it was annoying:
When they are in Africa and the two men scouting come racing back, Stan has a thought that goes something along the lines of "He was irritated by all the noise and fuss, but knew they must have a good reason." If he knew they had a good reason, why be irritated? It felt wrong to me. It seemed that instead of irritation being his first response, he should have been even more on alert, ready to move, fight, whatever. Not irritated, but knowing they must have a good reason. There were lots of little things like this that made reading difficult for me.
Every time we see Sam, or she is talked about, we are beat over the head with the knowledge that while she pretends to not care about them at all, she really worries about all of them constantly. Every. Damn. Time. This is all there is to Sam. This is how she is described. This is her personality. This is how "womanly" or "leaderly" or "what-ever-the-hell-ly" she is. She cares but pretends not to, and everyone knows it, especially me. *sigh*
The very beginning was excellent, grabbed my attention and held it firm, as the story starts in the future, after the world has fallen apart. Then it quickly backtracks to what would be the present, and the first little bit there held the momentum. But then it died a speedy death from the boring minutiae of this "special" team. They are oh-so-awesome, and super-secret, yet a guy in their building was never in doubt that they were military (hey and he does drugs, so that is DEFINITELY someone you want to know about you as he is ALWAYS aware and in control of his thoughts, actions, and speech) and one of the guys goes and finds his mother and spends time with her, even though they are all supposed to be dead.
And they are all pretty much coming across as assholes. Lack of basic respect for others, especially those that work with you, even more so when they have your back and take the heat for you...that doesn't make you cool, it just makes you a dick.
Add in the little scene with the business guy cheating on his wife, which so far serves no purpose other than to make me want to jab something in my eyes from boredom...my desire to finish this has about reached rock bottom.
BUT...it's got a lot of high ratings, so I may try to stick with it. I just don't know. Possibly, if it had not started with the aftermath, the next part might not have clothes-lined me so bad. It is one thing to build up to the excitement, but to start with it, slam it to a complete and utter halt, and then try to rebuild it, at a creeping, creaking, crawl...that is quite another. *cries*
I finally finished it. Finally. I'll give it three stars, though most of the first 2/3 or so of the book dragged, A LOT, in places. The end was fairly exciting. There seemed to be a lot of errors. I do realize that U.K. English and U.S. English are different, so I'm not talking about "defence" or any variation, but is it normal to say something like "Sam run her fingers across the desk looking for her lost hair clip" (totally paraphrased and slaughtered, but the main point here is the use of "run" instead of "ran"). I seem to remember seeing that twice, at least. That was the most jarring to me, and while I know there were others that popped my eyes, that is the only one I remember off the top of my head.
There were also a lot of sentences that I thought should have been cut out because they were pointless or repeated an idea over and over to the point that it was annoying:
When they are in Africa and the two men scouting come racing back, Stan has a thought that goes something along the lines of "He was irritated by all the noise and fuss, but knew they must have a good reason." If he knew they had a good reason, why be irritated? It felt wrong to me. It seemed that instead of irritation being his first response, he should have been even more on alert, ready to move, fight, whatever. Not irritated, but knowing they must have a good reason. There were lots of little things like this that made reading difficult for me.
Every time we see Sam, or she is talked about, we are beat over the head with the knowledge that while she pretends to not care about them at all, she really worries about all of them constantly. Every. Damn. Time. This is all there is to Sam. This is how she is described. This is her personality. This is how "womanly" or "leaderly" or "what-ever-the-hell-ly" she is. She cares but pretends not to, and everyone knows it, especially me. *sigh*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed "The Dead Walk The Earth" and was hooked right from the very beginning. Mr. Duffy tells the story of an elite military squad during the onset of the Zombie Apocalypse. The English Government sends this team on the most top secret and clandestine missions around the world. The opening chapter places the squad in the Middle East - their mission is to assassinate a high ranking terrorist leader, currently hiding in a remote farmhouse out in the desolate countryside. Snipers have the house covered from three sides, the team hopes their intel is correct and that the target will show at daybreak.
On their way to the pick-up zone, the squad comes upon a destroyed village, bodies of slaughtered men, women and children litter the surrounding area. Reckoning that terrorists were responsible, the eight men continue toward their destination. En route, they see another village in the distance with people moving about, however, something is just not right; their movements, stiff and awkward, almost mechanical. The Blackhawk arrives before the team can investigate, so it is noted and reported to the higher ups during their debriefing. Thus begins the government cover-up and the global zombie apocalypse.
The team continues in their missions and it isn't long before they are attacked by their first zombie horde. They haven't learned about head shots yet so the learning curve was intense and they are on the verge of being overrun. One team member is injured and an emergency evacuation is requested. Once back at headquarters, they find themselves captive and in quarantine. Nobody is telling them anything and they don't know why they are imprisoned! The team characters are well defined and likable. When they are finally released, the team is dispatched to northern England on a rescue mission, only to find themselves without support and on their own.
Meanwhile, the world goes to hell in a handbasket and everyone is fighting for their lives. Great job Mr. Duffy, looking forward to reading more of your adventures. Highly recommended!
John Podlaski, author
Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel
On their way to the pick-up zone, the squad comes upon a destroyed village, bodies of slaughtered men, women and children litter the surrounding area. Reckoning that terrorists were responsible, the eight men continue toward their destination. En route, they see another village in the distance with people moving about, however, something is just not right; their movements, stiff and awkward, almost mechanical. The Blackhawk arrives before the team can investigate, so it is noted and reported to the higher ups during their debriefing. Thus begins the government cover-up and the global zombie apocalypse.
The team continues in their missions and it isn't long before they are attacked by their first zombie horde. They haven't learned about head shots yet so the learning curve was intense and they are on the verge of being overrun. One team member is injured and an emergency evacuation is requested. Once back at headquarters, they find themselves captive and in quarantine. Nobody is telling them anything and they don't know why they are imprisoned! The team characters are well defined and likable. When they are finally released, the team is dispatched to northern England on a rescue mission, only to find themselves without support and on their own.
Meanwhile, the world goes to hell in a handbasket and everyone is fighting for their lives. Great job Mr. Duffy, looking forward to reading more of your adventures. Highly recommended!
John Podlaski, author
Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel
February 2, 2016
Ok this one grew on me the further along I got into the story. There's a lot of testosterone but we're given time to know each of the characters. Lots of action, good world building and character development and fast plot.
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
January 20, 2018
Yes, I have another zombie review, although I don’t think the word “zombie” is mentioned. This is the story of a team of British military men who are unacknowledged by their government nor anyone else. While they are quite handy for off-the-books operations, that means they are on their own when the job goes wrong. Then, when zombies roam the earth, everything goes wrong and it is every man for himself.
The story begins with the present and quickly jumps back to twelve years before. They are on a top-secret operation to bring down one of the worst terrorists the world has ever seen. They perform perfectly, due to all their training as career soldiers, and head home to relax and prepare for their next assignment. This time the job takes them to Africa and…zombies! So far no one is even speaking of zombies, but there are some very strange characters running around on this op, and as soon as they get a look at the team, they are suddenly quite ravenous. This is rather unexpected, especially as they are sent in to rescue a doctor, which they do manage, but he is so messed up in the head – consumed by thoughts of zombies – that they cannot get any information out of him. The crazy doctor isn’t the only one who needs rescuing, but at the last-minute, they are saved along with the nutty doctor. When they get home, they discover no one will acknowledge the fact that there might be some pretty scary and disgusting stuff happening out there.
Before you know it, nearly every country has fallen victim to the zombies. Britain, of course, is one of the last to go, but it does fall. The government has moved to the Isle of Wight, hoping from there to find the protection needed to research and find a way to rid the world of zombies. Unfortunately, the team has been sent to rescue a family whose lineage is close to England’s throne. They are dropped off by helicopter only to discover, due to zombie infestation, the family is a mix of zombie and zombie leftovers. The attempted rescue is a bust, and after some clean-up, they take up temporary residence in the palatial estate, while they await the return of the chopper. They wait and they wait. Then they wait some more. After realizing no one is coming for them, they commandeer the run-down Volkswagen bus in the garage. Needless to say, many zombie adventures happen, as they attempt to make their way to the airport, so they can hop on the chopper and head to the Isle of Wight.
There is more than just the team that make up the cast of this story, and as it progressed I grew to know and appreciate them all. Even the characters who do not play as big a role are still fascinating and a lot of detail is given to each one. The action is non-stop, but there are also scenes that invoke emotion and prove that these manly men are not just macho meatheads, but macho with a side of softie. Those moments are refreshing, as I like to think that inside everyone there is at least a small amount of empathy and concern for others. There are instances that made me laugh out loud. I won’t spoil it, but I believe most readers will find them just as entertaining. So, to wind this up, I will tell you that I read it in two days and did not want to put it down. The story is so well put-together and engrossing, without any unnecessary weight to drag it down, that it flowed flawlessly. I hate to say that not everyone survives in the typical zombie book, but this one is definitely not set up as a tear-jerker. Enjoy this wonderful book.
The rating:
Genre and reading age – Apocalyptic, military, and zombies. This one is great for older teens and adults.
Level of sexuality – Very low.
Is there graphic language? Amazingly low for this type of story. It could have been really ugly, but the author was quite controlled.
Did I cry? No.
Did I laugh? When appropriate, I sure did.
Is this part of a series? Yes, it is book one of The Dead Walk the Earth series, every book entitled the same, but with the corresponding number. So, make sure to continue with The Dead Walk the Earth book two.
Level of character development – Fantastic right from the get-go. The characters are very different, each with highly developed personalities.
I give this book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 stars. My suggestion is to pick it up today.
The story begins with the present and quickly jumps back to twelve years before. They are on a top-secret operation to bring down one of the worst terrorists the world has ever seen. They perform perfectly, due to all their training as career soldiers, and head home to relax and prepare for their next assignment. This time the job takes them to Africa and…zombies! So far no one is even speaking of zombies, but there are some very strange characters running around on this op, and as soon as they get a look at the team, they are suddenly quite ravenous. This is rather unexpected, especially as they are sent in to rescue a doctor, which they do manage, but he is so messed up in the head – consumed by thoughts of zombies – that they cannot get any information out of him. The crazy doctor isn’t the only one who needs rescuing, but at the last-minute, they are saved along with the nutty doctor. When they get home, they discover no one will acknowledge the fact that there might be some pretty scary and disgusting stuff happening out there.
Before you know it, nearly every country has fallen victim to the zombies. Britain, of course, is one of the last to go, but it does fall. The government has moved to the Isle of Wight, hoping from there to find the protection needed to research and find a way to rid the world of zombies. Unfortunately, the team has been sent to rescue a family whose lineage is close to England’s throne. They are dropped off by helicopter only to discover, due to zombie infestation, the family is a mix of zombie and zombie leftovers. The attempted rescue is a bust, and after some clean-up, they take up temporary residence in the palatial estate, while they await the return of the chopper. They wait and they wait. Then they wait some more. After realizing no one is coming for them, they commandeer the run-down Volkswagen bus in the garage. Needless to say, many zombie adventures happen, as they attempt to make their way to the airport, so they can hop on the chopper and head to the Isle of Wight.
There is more than just the team that make up the cast of this story, and as it progressed I grew to know and appreciate them all. Even the characters who do not play as big a role are still fascinating and a lot of detail is given to each one. The action is non-stop, but there are also scenes that invoke emotion and prove that these manly men are not just macho meatheads, but macho with a side of softie. Those moments are refreshing, as I like to think that inside everyone there is at least a small amount of empathy and concern for others. There are instances that made me laugh out loud. I won’t spoil it, but I believe most readers will find them just as entertaining. So, to wind this up, I will tell you that I read it in two days and did not want to put it down. The story is so well put-together and engrossing, without any unnecessary weight to drag it down, that it flowed flawlessly. I hate to say that not everyone survives in the typical zombie book, but this one is definitely not set up as a tear-jerker. Enjoy this wonderful book.
The rating:
Genre and reading age – Apocalyptic, military, and zombies. This one is great for older teens and adults.
Level of sexuality – Very low.
Is there graphic language? Amazingly low for this type of story. It could have been really ugly, but the author was quite controlled.
Did I cry? No.
Did I laugh? When appropriate, I sure did.
Is this part of a series? Yes, it is book one of The Dead Walk the Earth series, every book entitled the same, but with the corresponding number. So, make sure to continue with The Dead Walk the Earth book two.
Level of character development – Fantastic right from the get-go. The characters are very different, each with highly developed personalities.
I give this book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 stars. My suggestion is to pick it up today.
December 27, 2020
Interessanter Zombiethriller, der die Zombieapokalypse aus der Sicht eines Soldatentrupps erzählt. Die Story ist gut gemacht und man kann das Ganze "plausibel" (sofern das im Falle eines Zombieangriffs eben möglich ist) mitverfolgen. Manche Szenen waren mir persönlich ein wenig zu eklig (wobei man das bei einem Zombieroman auch erwarten kann, die Sache mit der Socke und der Toilette war für mich dann aber doch ein wenig zu viel). Andererseits ist dies jedoch auch ein Vorzug der Geschichte (solange man nicht wie ich empfindlichen Magen hat) denn es wäre unrealistisch, sollte alles genauso geordnet und sauber wie immer ablaufen, abgesehen von ein paar herumlaufenden Untoten. Trotz des kleinen Ekelfaktors werde ich mir auf jeden Fall den zweiten Band anschauen, denn die Charaktere wachsen einem durchaus ans Herz und irgendwie möchte man schon wissen wies weitergeht (zumal Band 1 echt fies endet...)
August 5, 2019
There is nothing about this novel that would set it apart from hundreds of other mediocre books about zombie apocalypse. The ending is particularly bad, mostly because the story doesn't end, it's just interrupted in a seemingly random moment. It's painfully obvious that no effort was put into even pretending that it's a complete novel. It's just a bunch of chapters, with the rest of them being sold as subsequent books in the series.
July 30, 2025
Action-packed Thriller that Zombie lovers will thoroughly enjoy. I criticize a lot of media on the accuracy of their portrayal of the Military and Military equipment, but this series does a great job.
This Series is definitely a good choice for those who like Generation Kill (TV show) for the commraderie, Dawn of the Dead (Movie) for swarming Zombies, and the Walking Dead for the tense Human on Human conflicts.
This Series is definitely a good choice for those who like Generation Kill (TV show) for the commraderie, Dawn of the Dead (Movie) for swarming Zombies, and the Walking Dead for the tense Human on Human conflicts.
April 9, 2024
I hadn’t heard of Luke Duffy until I started this book. It’s one of the best series of zombie genre I have ever read. It’s full of action, humour and everything seemed true to life (apart from the zombies. But hay who knows right?!?)
If you like the zombie genre as much as I do you’ll love these two series.
If you like the zombie genre as much as I do you’ll love these two series.
January 28, 2021
I really enjoyed this book, it was highly entertaining in a gruesome way, action packed with likeable characters that just made me want to keep reading. I definately want to read the next book, and can't wait to start. I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
December 30, 2016
You coulda been a contenda
In 'The Dead Walk the Earth' Luke Duffy gives the reader a bullet-and-blood-filled romp with fatal flaws that prevent it from being the good book it could be.
'Walk' is well-paced and well-plotted. Duffy's strength in this volume lies in his action scenes. They are written with skill and verve, and the prose is clear and fast-paced. The author is skilled at drawing every possible bit of tension out of a gunfight or the clearing of a room. His dialogue is well-written and lifelike.
But the book's flaws destroy any goodwill its merits create with the reader.
'The Dead Walk Among Us' biggest flaw is its endings - there isn't one. The book actually ends in mid-scene. Being a prolific reader in the genre, I know almost every zompoc book is one of a series. But you have to a least make an effort to tie the story line off with a conclusion, even if it ends in a cliffhanger followed by a 'continue the story in the next book' page. This book just ends. One of the characters witnesses a plane crash from a helicopter. She orders the pilot to take her down to see it, and that's it. The book is over.
Secondly, the book's characters are paper-thin. No one grows, learns anything, changes. They are all caricatures in the beginning and stay that way throughout.
Finally, the soldiers in 'The Dead Walk Among Us' are an elite secrete force, the best of the best. In their off time, though, they are to a man drunken, carousing sots and when on duty they treat everyone not in their unit disdainfully and with disrespect.
Most special operators are as disciplined and focused in their private lives as they are when on duty. They are mission-ready at all times and would never report drunk or hung-over, as the characters in the book did. They are aware their support staff are essential to a mission's success, and treat them accordingly.
To write them otherwise is either ignorance or carelessness, and pulls the reader out of the story.
In 'The Dead Walk the Earth' Luke Duffy gives the reader a bullet-and-blood-filled romp with fatal flaws that prevent it from being the good book it could be.
'Walk' is well-paced and well-plotted. Duffy's strength in this volume lies in his action scenes. They are written with skill and verve, and the prose is clear and fast-paced. The author is skilled at drawing every possible bit of tension out of a gunfight or the clearing of a room. His dialogue is well-written and lifelike.
But the book's flaws destroy any goodwill its merits create with the reader.
'The Dead Walk Among Us' biggest flaw is its endings - there isn't one. The book actually ends in mid-scene. Being a prolific reader in the genre, I know almost every zompoc book is one of a series. But you have to a least make an effort to tie the story line off with a conclusion, even if it ends in a cliffhanger followed by a 'continue the story in the next book' page. This book just ends. One of the characters witnesses a plane crash from a helicopter. She orders the pilot to take her down to see it, and that's it. The book is over.
Secondly, the book's characters are paper-thin. No one grows, learns anything, changes. They are all caricatures in the beginning and stay that way throughout.
Finally, the soldiers in 'The Dead Walk Among Us' are an elite secrete force, the best of the best. In their off time, though, they are to a man drunken, carousing sots and when on duty they treat everyone not in their unit disdainfully and with disrespect.
Most special operators are as disciplined and focused in their private lives as they are when on duty. They are mission-ready at all times and would never report drunk or hung-over, as the characters in the book did. They are aware their support staff are essential to a mission's success, and treat them accordingly.
To write them otherwise is either ignorance or carelessness, and pulls the reader out of the story.
August 5, 2016
A lengthy prologue military story from past years in the Middle East starts us off on the character background trail, including insight into the undead. After the first two hours, the plot will reset to present day and the beginning of the flu virus. This virus, similar to others in this genre, spreads across the globe and 'converts' the majority of the population to the undead. Our British special ops military team, known as “The Team” (original?) led by Stan is first tasked with finding out what happened to a doctor and his support team and retrieving any survivors. By their own declaration The Team is given all the extremely dangerous and dirty missions where deniability and expend-ability are the norm. The Team completes several missions while dealing with the escalating undead due to the spreading virus. The story grinds along with a couple subplots of varying survivors detailing their experiences. Nothing really new here in the first book. I’m tempted to continue with book two in the hope that the pace and action improves. The narration is okay; it sort of grows on you. Mr. Wehrlen tends to read along without a great deal of emotion or difference in characters then increase speed towards the end of the thought. There is also the pause between each sentence, which is quite noticeable in the beginning. You get used to his tempo as the book progresses. Three.point.five with anticipation for more.
June 3, 2016
Not sure about this series
I am not sold on this series. First, it started real bleak and it seems to be where the series is heading. It's a dark ending and not sure I want to read a series that is going there. I read dystopian for the hope in them. When against all odds good people group with other good people and overcome terrible odds. It appears most everyone dies and maybe we are supposed to be trying configure out who the woman and the two remaining soldiers are. This leaves us knowing everyone else dies. Their fortress is the only place left on earth. Wow, depressing. I think Bull survives and so far he isn't the most likeable guy. As a woman the origin of his nickname and a few of his other actions really does not make him very likeable either. Lastly, the book was very slow starting and getting interesting. It really did t until the last 25% of it. I almost gave up several times. Since it did improve, I will be reading the second book, but if it's slow I will probably drop this one.
I am not sold on this series. First, it started real bleak and it seems to be where the series is heading. It's a dark ending and not sure I want to read a series that is going there. I read dystopian for the hope in them. When against all odds good people group with other good people and overcome terrible odds. It appears most everyone dies and maybe we are supposed to be trying configure out who the woman and the two remaining soldiers are. This leaves us knowing everyone else dies. Their fortress is the only place left on earth. Wow, depressing. I think Bull survives and so far he isn't the most likeable guy. As a woman the origin of his nickname and a few of his other actions really does not make him very likeable either. Lastly, the book was very slow starting and getting interesting. It really did t until the last 25% of it. I almost gave up several times. Since it did improve, I will be reading the second book, but if it's slow I will probably drop this one.
February 5, 2017
This is the first book I've encountered with a 'bromance' theme. There was a lot of testosterone throughout, but I enjoyed it and I think I'll seek out others like it. It was refreshing to see the interactions between a (mostly) all male character line up. The story itself isn't unique (a deadly 'flu' like virus has taken over the world and all those whom die don't stay dead), but there were a lot of little moments that made it feel very real. This book reminded me of certain episodes of The Walking Dead in which not all that much happens, but the character relationships and scavenging makes for a great episode or in this case, story.
May 7, 2016
This book is all pages fighting and moving with hardly anything else in them.
As a reader one cant help to wonder who the zombies has as a collaborator who has infiltrated everywhere. No Place is safe due the zombies being let in or the people alive blowing up their own walls/ship. Of course no human would be stupid enough to do this therefore there are invisible zombie collaborators everywhere!
My personal bet is that Emily, first she wants to open the door to the zombies and then when she arrives to the next safe location the Place is immediately overrun. Clearly a human saboteur who is a zombie lover...
I hope you notice Im being sarcastic, the zombies aint what is scary, its the horrible plot the writer uses to create suspense.
As a reader one cant help to wonder who the zombies has as a collaborator who has infiltrated everywhere. No Place is safe due the zombies being let in or the people alive blowing up their own walls/ship. Of course no human would be stupid enough to do this therefore there are invisible zombie collaborators everywhere!
My personal bet is that Emily, first she wants to open the door to the zombies and then when she arrives to the next safe location the Place is immediately overrun. Clearly a human saboteur who is a zombie lover...
I hope you notice Im being sarcastic, the zombies aint what is scary, its the horrible plot the writer uses to create suspense.
January 6, 2015
I love this book.
I'm hopping there is a second book soon because I can tell the story is not done or it can't be done the way it ended. Very good book love the characters strong and realistic people. I love the brotherhood between the characters and they are strong minded enough to do what is necessary.
I'm hopping there is a second book soon because I can tell the story is not done or it can't be done the way it ended. Very good book love the characters strong and realistic people. I love the brotherhood between the characters and they are strong minded enough to do what is necessary.
June 4, 2016
Five Star Start to the Series!
Fantastic character development. Love the fast paced nature of the story. As of yet, there is nothing very different or exciting about the infected, however. But that's alright. Infected can just be what they are to be effective. Great start to the series, engaging, action packed, and interesting.
Fantastic character development. Love the fast paced nature of the story. As of yet, there is nothing very different or exciting about the infected, however. But that's alright. Infected can just be what they are to be effective. Great start to the series, engaging, action packed, and interesting.
January 11, 2015
Great spin on zombie action!
Loved the author's writing style and the hold your breathe moments, very well written. Good character development and plot. I can't wait to read the second book!
Loved the author's writing style and the hold your breathe moments, very well written. Good character development and plot. I can't wait to read the second book!
November 14, 2015
Great book, love the author, if you are after a good set of Zombie/apocalypse books, you cannot go wrong with either this set or "When There's No More Room In Hell" set, both of which exist in the same universe and cross over each other.
July 6, 2014
Great Zombie book, only problem is waiting for the next one
July 26, 2014
Good reading experience
Very much enjoyed this story. I enjoy the genre but wish there had been more character development. I assume there will be a part two!
Very much enjoyed this story. I enjoy the genre but wish there had been more character development. I assume there will be a part two!
August 21, 2014
I really liked this zombie book. Usually I require a good start to the epidemic, and this one was great. I felt like there could be several awesome sequels to this.
December 8, 2014
The Dead Walk The Earth keeps you flipping the page to uncover what happens next to characters you can’t help but cheer for. I look forward to reading the next installment.
December 1, 2015
This was okay.
It had a whole prologue section that sort of tied into the main story, but the two never really connected.
Writing was fairly good.
It had a whole prologue section that sort of tied into the main story, but the two never really connected.
Writing was fairly good.
Read
November 8, 2018The story was enjoyable
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