Everglades

Newsflesh

by Mira Grant

Genres: Horror, Zombies, Science Fiction, Short Stories, Fiction, Audiobook, Dystopia

Unknown Binding

About the author

Mira also writes as Seanan McGuire.

Born and raised in Northern California, Mira Grant has made a lifelong study of horror movies, horrible viruses, and the inevitable threat of the living dead. In college, she was voted Most Likely to Summon Something Horrible in the Cornfield, and was a founding member of the Horror Movie Sleep-Away Survival Camp, where her record for time survived in the Swamp Cannibals scenario remains unchallenged.

Mira lives in a crumbling farmhouse with an assortment of cats, horror movies, comics, and books about horrible diseases. When not writing, she splits her time between travel, auditing college virology courses, and watching more horror movies than is strictly good for you. Favorite vacation spots include Seattle, London, and a large haunted corn maze just outside of Huntsville, Alabama.

Mira sleeps with a machete under her bed, and highly suggests that you do the same.

Reviews

[Asheley T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5

This is a very short story, only a few pages, detailing Debbie's time stuck on a college campus fairly early in the outbreak of the Kellis-Amberlee virus. For it to be so short, it is succinct and it was very easy to feel a lot of emotion about the characters and their grave situation. I especially loved the part where Debbie reminisced one of her favorite memories with her Grandpa.

[Karlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy the Newsflesh series. I’m a zombie book lover and enjoy this series initially because of this. I stay for all of the additional story lines because the author has created a rich world with characters that are intriguing and well rounded. I well understand why this series has won awards. Those who like this unusual genre will be drawn in by this new refreshing look.

[Sam (Hissing Potatoes) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well written, chilling entry in the Newsflesh universe.

[Siobhan · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short read but another incredible installation.

[Stacie]

If you're bored with zombies (especially a la The Walking Dead), then you should definitely give the Newsflesh series a try.

The zombies are vital to the story, but they're background--a cause of current conditions rather than always "on screen." There's moaning, though.

This seems to be--chronologically, at least--one of the first stories in the series. I happened to start reading The Rising first, but I'm glad I circled back around and caught this story. It features (very briefly) one of the characters from the main series, but is set at the beginning of things. It's compelling and devastating in that special way Mira Grant does so well.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

If this story was much longer or more detailed into the thoughts of the main character, I wouldn't have been able to finish it. It's pretty emotionally graphic.

[Hung · Rating 3 out of 5]

The shortest story in the Rise collection.

I don't really get the suicide. Why would you try to survive for so long, and then just give up? In other series, people might give up due to not having any other reason for living, such as the last person they care about die. That was not the case here.

[Louisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, this was a heartbreaking story, and the note at the beginning, knowing what the inspiration was, but apparently we meet some characters from the main series, and I can't wait to see who that was!

[Jim Scriven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good short story, tucked into the world and history readers know if they've read the Newsflesh Trilogy. Gives you a different, fatalistic perspective on how people might react to a real zombie apocalypse. Chillingly realistic, and rather depressing — but well written as always!

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short story about students getting trapped in a college building during the zombie apocalypse. This story showed what one person does when they realize all hope is gone.

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Newsflesh story taking place at a college during the rising. I imagine fans of the series will eat it right up, otherwise it's just a short written by Mira Grant, so still totally likeable.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing. Since finding Mira Grant I've read this whole series a couple times, and will keep on rereading. I adore this series.

[Kristy Buehler · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not for me.

[Katharine Lancaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nature

Always remember that Nature can be cruel. Sometimes it’s what looks most harmless that hurts you the most.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short story but a nice addition to this story universe

[Rebecca ✨in my DNF era✨ Neubauer · Rating 2 out of 5]

While beautifully written, this story didn't do it for me. Rare, when it comes to Mira Grant's work.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Early tidbits for the future series.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens to the people in the zombie apocalypse who don't survive? What about the people who don't want to survive?

Grant's writing is surprisingly deep and incisive as she explores the mind of someone who sees the world around her and has to decide whether it's better to stand against nature or not.

I wasn't expecting to enjoy this one as much as I did, but every time I come back to it, this tiny novella gives me something to consider. It's truly a new take on the zombie apocalypse.