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The ELI Chronicles #1
The One and Only
Comparable to World War Z (the movie), only with a strong female lead and a blistering international conspiracy.
Ruby Spencer plans to resign from the U.S. Special Warfare Council. With an escalating Extinction Level Infection (ELI), the SWC needs the best minds acutely focused on the fight ahead. Yet motherhood has shifted her priorities. She's preoccupied with her newborn's health and safety. So resigning is the right choice.
For her last assignment, the SWC sends Ruby and husband Clay on a low-risk mission to Taiwan where they'll consult with scientists analyzing the infection. Too bad Lt. Col. Quinton Oxford--the American Consulate's embittered military attach�, is waiting in the shadows. Because Ox's plans for the couple are everything but low-risk.
When the Spencers are separated and kidnapped from Taiwan to Moscow, Ruby is thrust into a perverse war game between superpowers, where she's the prize. Only she doesn't know why. Or even how her abduction relates to the ELI crisis.
But her connection with Zoonosis Mutated Bacteria (ZOM-B) is emerging. And the fate of her family, of the world, awaits her next move.
Ruby Spencer plans to resign from the U.S. Special Warfare Council. With an escalating Extinction Level Infection (ELI), the SWC needs the best minds acutely focused on the fight ahead. Yet motherhood has shifted her priorities. She's preoccupied with her newborn's health and safety. So resigning is the right choice.
For her last assignment, the SWC sends Ruby and husband Clay on a low-risk mission to Taiwan where they'll consult with scientists analyzing the infection. Too bad Lt. Col. Quinton Oxford--the American Consulate's embittered military attach�, is waiting in the shadows. Because Ox's plans for the couple are everything but low-risk.
When the Spencers are separated and kidnapped from Taiwan to Moscow, Ruby is thrust into a perverse war game between superpowers, where she's the prize. Only she doesn't know why. Or even how her abduction relates to the ELI crisis.
But her connection with Zoonosis Mutated Bacteria (ZOM-B) is emerging. And the fate of her family, of the world, awaits her next move.
344 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2018
46 people are currently reading
535 people want to read
About the author
Julia Ash
5 books321 followersJULIA ASH’S fifth published book is FIND THEM (2023), her second in ghost fiction. This novel and MYSTIFIED (2022) were inspired by growing up in a haunted house in Pennsylvania.
MYSTIFIED earned Honorable Mention from Writer’s Digest in its 2022 Self-Published E-Book Awards.
Julia has also authored a dark fantasy series: The ELI Chronicles. This series includes THE ONE AND ONLY (2018), THE TETHER (2019), and THE TURNING POINT (2020).
THE TURNING POINT earned Honorable Mention from Writer’s Digest in its 2020 Self-Published E-Book Awards and was a Semi-Finalist for the 2020 BookLife Prize competition, sponsored by Publishers Weekly.
Julia lives with her husband and pups on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and also calls the Pocono Mountains “home.”
MYSTIFIED earned Honorable Mention from Writer’s Digest in its 2022 Self-Published E-Book Awards.
Julia has also authored a dark fantasy series: The ELI Chronicles. This series includes THE ONE AND ONLY (2018), THE TETHER (2019), and THE TURNING POINT (2020).
THE TURNING POINT earned Honorable Mention from Writer’s Digest in its 2020 Self-Published E-Book Awards and was a Semi-Finalist for the 2020 BookLife Prize competition, sponsored by Publishers Weekly.
Julia lives with her husband and pups on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and also calls the Pocono Mountains “home.”
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
December 19, 2025
"Let anything or anyone try to stop her."Ruby Pearl Spencer is the "One and Only" aka the only person who was immune to the first diseased wave of the apocalypse.
She donated her blood for the cure and was on the U.S. Special Warfare Council (SWC), under the Extinction Level Infection (ELI) Unit. And now that the world's settled, she finally was able to have a baby with her husband.
All she wants is to live her life with her family...but like many people, her wants don't necessarily line up with other people's needs.
Her colleagues on the SWC and ELI sense that she's pulling ever-further away.
So, just three months after her daughter, Gabby, was born, her team decides that she needs to get her to get her head in the game.
Someone tinkered around with the disease that caused the first round of the apocalypse and now there's literal zombies littered around the world. It's up to Ruby (and her side-kick husband (Clay)) to fly to Taiwan and investigate.
This seemingly low-risk adventure was supposed to only take a few days. But like most apocalypses, something goes terribly wrong. And their low-risk mission? Not so very low-risk after all.
Along the way, Ruby will discover that she's far more capable (and ruthless) than she ever thought possible.
"They headed down the long highway.
The overhead fluorescent lights blinked twice.
Before shutting off completely."
This book was a fast-paced adventure. I really enjoyed reading about Ruby "bad-ass" Spencer as she takes on the world.
"Soft? She was soft? He obviously wasn't familiar with the venomous box jellyfish. Soft should not be underestimated."
And I really (really) appreciated that for once, our main character has a stable, loving relationship. The dynamic between the power couple was everything I could hope for in the crazy-world of zombies.
I do wish this novel would've gone into the disease aspects a bit more. Ruby is a scientist but she doesn't do too much analyzing of the disease from a science perspective (but then again, it's hard to do that on the run from zombies).
And I couldn't quite get into the evil characters. For the most part, they seemed a bit stereotypical Big Bad Military Guy - especially Ox, a turncoat working to spread the disease. For example, he says this:
"Now, now Mr. Pretty Face," Ox said. "Listen to your wife and back the fuck off. Unless you'd rather die now."
/blockquote> and this:just seemed too over-the-top evil to me...but then again, Ox is supposed to be rather unhinged.
"Apparently you haven't noticed the chest-candy decorating my Service Dress Blues. I'm a bonafide hero. A killing machine. The last man standing."
Overall, this book was a fun, refreshing take on the zombie apocalypse and I can't wait to see what the author writes next!
The 2018 ABC Reading Challenge - O
With thanks to the author for providing me a free copy in exchange for an honest review
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June 10, 2020
It’s the year 2032. Ruby was able to survive an extinction level infection because her blood was somehow immune. She was the only one to survive the first wave of infection. Now, the Special War Council has requested her to go on a mission to investigate a newly morphed bacteria. This last mission should be simple and low risk, almost like a honeymoon for her and her husband Clay. They shouldn’t have to be there long–maybe a week–and this can finally be over. They head to Taiwan to investigate the zombie infection, including the person responsible for it. Her plans are to retire from the Special Warfare Council when she gets back so she can concentrate on raising her child, but something goes wrong while they’re there. The problem is that Ruby has something everyone wants and they’re all willing to fight for it. What is it that they want, and is there anyone in the world Ruby can trust anymore?
Flipping through the book at first, I was a little nervous thinking it might be too stuffy for me, but it wasn’t at all. I was pulled in from the first chapter. I found the writing to be extremely detailed with imagery in my mind throughout of the different characters and places. The zombie descriptions prompted me to think of two of my favorite movies, World War Z and I Am Legend. I pictured the zombies from these films in my mind with their chattering teeth, dark eyes, and aggressive behavior. This made the book feel even creepier. Plus, the story is interesting, fast-paced, twisty, and a fairly quick read.
The characters were well-developed. Ruby, the heroine, is extremely courageous and an awesome female lead. She wants to do her duty for mankind, but she’s caught between that and being a mother. She wants to keep her daughter Gabby safe, which is now her main priority. I totally connected and sympathized with her. Her husband Clay was a good character, supportive, but Ruby was definitely my ‘one and only’. I also liked Ox, believe it or not. He’s a highly-decorated military attaché willing to do anything for his country. He’s also the type of character you love to hate and perfect for this story. You honestly can’t trust any of the characters in the book though. Be prepared for some surprises!
For the ending, it truly shocked me and I didn’t see it coming. What a twist! At first, I wasn’t sure how I felt about it, but it actually works and definitely sets the stage for book two.
I haven’t read many post-apocalyptic books like this one–none pertaining to zombies and bioterrorism anyway. Overall, this was a great read. I can totally see this book adapted to film. It’s going to be interesting to see what happens in the next book.
5*****
Series: The ELI Chronicles (Book 1)
Paperback: 344 pages
Publisher: Julia Ash (April 24, 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1732081611
ISBN-13: 978-1732081611
Flipping through the book at first, I was a little nervous thinking it might be too stuffy for me, but it wasn’t at all. I was pulled in from the first chapter. I found the writing to be extremely detailed with imagery in my mind throughout of the different characters and places. The zombie descriptions prompted me to think of two of my favorite movies, World War Z and I Am Legend. I pictured the zombies from these films in my mind with their chattering teeth, dark eyes, and aggressive behavior. This made the book feel even creepier. Plus, the story is interesting, fast-paced, twisty, and a fairly quick read.
The characters were well-developed. Ruby, the heroine, is extremely courageous and an awesome female lead. She wants to do her duty for mankind, but she’s caught between that and being a mother. She wants to keep her daughter Gabby safe, which is now her main priority. I totally connected and sympathized with her. Her husband Clay was a good character, supportive, but Ruby was definitely my ‘one and only’. I also liked Ox, believe it or not. He’s a highly-decorated military attaché willing to do anything for his country. He’s also the type of character you love to hate and perfect for this story. You honestly can’t trust any of the characters in the book though. Be prepared for some surprises!
For the ending, it truly shocked me and I didn’t see it coming. What a twist! At first, I wasn’t sure how I felt about it, but it actually works and definitely sets the stage for book two.
I haven’t read many post-apocalyptic books like this one–none pertaining to zombies and bioterrorism anyway. Overall, this was a great read. I can totally see this book adapted to film. It’s going to be interesting to see what happens in the next book.
5*****
Series: The ELI Chronicles (Book 1)
Paperback: 344 pages
Publisher: Julia Ash (April 24, 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1732081611
ISBN-13: 978-1732081611
August 12, 2022
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The ELI Chronicles Series
#1 The One and Only - ★★★★
#2 The Tether - ★★★★
#3 The Turning Point - ★★★★
Full review can also be found on my blog: www.diaryofdifference.com/2018/05/29/...
When bio-terrorism threatens to obscure humanity, one woman has the power to restore hope.
Ruby Spencer is a wife and a mother. She also happens to be the only person that could save the people on Earth from dying! In moments when she is planning to resign from the U.S. Special Warfare Council, Ruby and her husband Clay are sent to one last mission.
With the last assignment being a low-risk mission to Taiwan where they need to analyze the zombie infection and consult with scientists, it seems like they are about to go on a long-deserved mini honeymoon.
But everything goes wrong! They get kidnapped, and the biggest world powers all plan a war ahead, and it seems that only the ones that have Ruby are likely to win the war. They all fight over her, and she has no clue why. What makes her so special?
Review:
First of all, I have to thank the author, Julia Ash, for sending over this amazing book to me, in exchange for an honest review!
The beginning of The One and Only is extremely breathtaking! I believe that the beginning might be the best part of the book, actually! The flow of the story is well-thought, and I especially loved the scenes where the author refers to the past, and made me feel like there was another book before that. It is quite easy to catch up with the beginning and the brief details of the past, but if in the future there is a prequel that explains it all – I would love to be the first one to know about it!
Now, the characters are probably the reason that made the book the way it is! We have Ruby, who is our heroine, a brave lady, ready to give all the love, courage and wisdom in the world. She is a mother, a wife, and a brave fighter that never gives up and is never afraid to stand up against evil.
On the other hand, we have her husband – Clay. He was… alright. I suppose? His love for Ruby and their daughter is incredible, but somehow, I could think of him as a manly enough figure in their relationship. He was smart and brave, but not as smart and brave as Ruby.
I couldn’t somehow connect with him.
The character that intrigued me the most is Ox. I loved how Julia has shown us the psychological profile of this man, and the way he thinks. It was lovely reading about his part of his story, and even though he was on the wrong side, it is what he believes in. And the way it is written in so extraordinary, that at times I could see myself giving him an excuse.
The only part that I couldn’t agree with, and I am refusing to accept is – THE ENDING! I will withdraw myself from spoilers, but that’s not how things should have ended! That is not the ending I wanted, that is not the ending I was hoping for. No, no, no. It made me upset, and angry, and I wanted to break something very bad! That was a huge disappointment for me and it changed my whole perception of the story and the book itself.
If you ever get the chance to read this book – you should expect a lot of twists, a lot of ups and downs, and if you are like me and are trying hard to not bite your nails – well, you’re about to fail. This is not your typical book about zombie apocalypse. This is not your usual book about a heroine being kidnapped. This is not your usual book of how a person saves the world. This will be nothing like you expected, and everything you hoped for.
The ELI Chronicles Series
#1 The One and Only - ★★★★
#2 The Tether - ★★★★
#3 The Turning Point - ★★★★
Full review can also be found on my blog: www.diaryofdifference.com/2018/05/29/...
When bio-terrorism threatens to obscure humanity, one woman has the power to restore hope.
Ruby Spencer is a wife and a mother. She also happens to be the only person that could save the people on Earth from dying! In moments when she is planning to resign from the U.S. Special Warfare Council, Ruby and her husband Clay are sent to one last mission.
With the last assignment being a low-risk mission to Taiwan where they need to analyze the zombie infection and consult with scientists, it seems like they are about to go on a long-deserved mini honeymoon.
But everything goes wrong! They get kidnapped, and the biggest world powers all plan a war ahead, and it seems that only the ones that have Ruby are likely to win the war. They all fight over her, and she has no clue why. What makes her so special?
Review:
First of all, I have to thank the author, Julia Ash, for sending over this amazing book to me, in exchange for an honest review!
The beginning of The One and Only is extremely breathtaking! I believe that the beginning might be the best part of the book, actually! The flow of the story is well-thought, and I especially loved the scenes where the author refers to the past, and made me feel like there was another book before that. It is quite easy to catch up with the beginning and the brief details of the past, but if in the future there is a prequel that explains it all – I would love to be the first one to know about it!
Now, the characters are probably the reason that made the book the way it is! We have Ruby, who is our heroine, a brave lady, ready to give all the love, courage and wisdom in the world. She is a mother, a wife, and a brave fighter that never gives up and is never afraid to stand up against evil.
On the other hand, we have her husband – Clay. He was… alright. I suppose? His love for Ruby and their daughter is incredible, but somehow, I could think of him as a manly enough figure in their relationship. He was smart and brave, but not as smart and brave as Ruby.
I couldn’t somehow connect with him.
The character that intrigued me the most is Ox. I loved how Julia has shown us the psychological profile of this man, and the way he thinks. It was lovely reading about his part of his story, and even though he was on the wrong side, it is what he believes in. And the way it is written in so extraordinary, that at times I could see myself giving him an excuse.
The only part that I couldn’t agree with, and I am refusing to accept is – THE ENDING! I will withdraw myself from spoilers, but that’s not how things should have ended! That is not the ending I wanted, that is not the ending I was hoping for. No, no, no. It made me upset, and angry, and I wanted to break something very bad! That was a huge disappointment for me and it changed my whole perception of the story and the book itself.
If you ever get the chance to read this book – you should expect a lot of twists, a lot of ups and downs, and if you are like me and are trying hard to not bite your nails – well, you’re about to fail. This is not your typical book about zombie apocalypse. This is not your usual book about a heroine being kidnapped. This is not your usual book of how a person saves the world. This will be nothing like you expected, and everything you hoped for.
March 24, 2025
Action-packed, vividly descriptive & breathtakingly beautiful!
I can hardly believe that I am describing a post-apocalyptic and zombie book as breathtaking. But the imagery and the words written were absolutely beautiful. I felt like I was right there snap dab in the middle of everything that was happening in this book. The heroine is absolutely fabulous!
THE ONE AND ONLY (The ELI Chronicles #1) by JULIA ASH is an engrossing, exciting, twisty, adventurous, interesting, fast-paced, and refreshing story that I was immediately drawn into. I was totally immersed in this tale and completely devoured all aspects of this storyline. I do not think that this is your typical zombie apocalypse book by no means. There is so much more to this story than initially meets the eye.
JULIA ASH delivers quite the clever, atmospheric, captivating, engaging, suspenseful and well-written story here with exceptionally well-developed and portrayed characters. I absolutely loved our dynamic duel here, Ruby and her husband Clay. It was so refreshing to have a married couple that loved, worked, and fought together for the greater good of mankind. The love that these two shared was absolutely beautiful and palpable. I was totally touched by more than one beautiful passages. There were many!
I’d like to send out a huge thank you to Julia Ash for sending me out a copy of this amazing book to read (she was also kind enough to send me The Tether book #2 as well, which I am going to be diving into very soon)!
Norma’s Stats:
Cover: Powerful, suspenseful, intriguing, harrowing, bleak, and a perfectly fitting representation to storyline.
Title: A simply perfect, appropriate, chilling, beautiful, impactful and fabulous representation to storyline.
Writing/Prose: Well-written, fluid, suspenseful, eloquent, and engaging. I totally loved and connected with the writing style.
Plot: Engrossing, clever, refreshing, scary, adventurous, action-packed, exciting, emotional, captivating, haunting, interesting, riveting, fast-paced, and entertaining. Violence and Gore: Mild
Ending: Whoa! A twist ending that was both shocking and thrilling. I absolutely loved it! It definitely set the stage for the next book in this series.
Overall: 4.5 Stars! This was an all around fabulous book for me and I can definitely see this being made into a movie and I would definitely pre-order myself a ticket if it did. I’m a huge fan and I highly recommend this one!!!
I can hardly believe that I am describing a post-apocalyptic and zombie book as breathtaking. But the imagery and the words written were absolutely beautiful. I felt like I was right there snap dab in the middle of everything that was happening in this book. The heroine is absolutely fabulous!
THE ONE AND ONLY (The ELI Chronicles #1) by JULIA ASH is an engrossing, exciting, twisty, adventurous, interesting, fast-paced, and refreshing story that I was immediately drawn into. I was totally immersed in this tale and completely devoured all aspects of this storyline. I do not think that this is your typical zombie apocalypse book by no means. There is so much more to this story than initially meets the eye.
JULIA ASH delivers quite the clever, atmospheric, captivating, engaging, suspenseful and well-written story here with exceptionally well-developed and portrayed characters. I absolutely loved our dynamic duel here, Ruby and her husband Clay. It was so refreshing to have a married couple that loved, worked, and fought together for the greater good of mankind. The love that these two shared was absolutely beautiful and palpable. I was totally touched by more than one beautiful passages. There were many!
I’d like to send out a huge thank you to Julia Ash for sending me out a copy of this amazing book to read (she was also kind enough to send me The Tether book #2 as well, which I am going to be diving into very soon)!
Norma’s Stats:
Cover: Powerful, suspenseful, intriguing, harrowing, bleak, and a perfectly fitting representation to storyline.
Title: A simply perfect, appropriate, chilling, beautiful, impactful and fabulous representation to storyline.
Writing/Prose: Well-written, fluid, suspenseful, eloquent, and engaging. I totally loved and connected with the writing style.
Plot: Engrossing, clever, refreshing, scary, adventurous, action-packed, exciting, emotional, captivating, haunting, interesting, riveting, fast-paced, and entertaining. Violence and Gore: Mild
Ending: Whoa! A twist ending that was both shocking and thrilling. I absolutely loved it! It definitely set the stage for the next book in this series.
Overall: 4.5 Stars! This was an all around fabulous book for me and I can definitely see this being made into a movie and I would definitely pre-order myself a ticket if it did. I’m a huge fan and I highly recommend this one!!!
June 30, 2020
This book was brilliant up until the 90% mark.
Then it was fucking AMAZERBEAMS!
Indie book or not, the ending to this novel was one of the best I've read, and set the scene for part 2 perfectly. Honestly, if you haven't already read this, do yourself a favour and download it now. 😀
Then it was fucking AMAZERBEAMS!
Indie book or not, the ending to this novel was one of the best I've read, and set the scene for part 2 perfectly. Honestly, if you haven't already read this, do yourself a favour and download it now. 😀
June 9, 2020
I was not expecting the turn this book took <— Book took, sorry, I’m twelve 🤣😂
I found out some things about zombies I never would thought about on my own. It’s nothing major, but the little things are cool too!! AND, that ending! Let’s just say, now we have two predators!
I love the family and friends in this book too! I’m assuming the second book will be next level!!
Mel 🐶🖤🐺🐾
I found out some things about zombies I never would thought about on my own. It’s nothing major, but the little things are cool too!! AND, that ending! Let’s just say, now we have two predators!
I love the family and friends in this book too! I’m assuming the second book will be next level!!
Mel 🐶🖤🐺🐾
June 19, 2020
More tomorrow, but that was a high tension roller coaster ride 😳
And so, I read this book in June 2020 as part of a Group Read with the Author in the group Castle Dracula .
Well where do I start, ok, horror as a genre is not really my scene, but having said that umpty years ago (oh ok over 40) I did read some English horror books by James Herbert , stories by Edgar Allan Poe and even read a couple of Dennis Wheatley, as well as a few (sci-fi inclined) Stephen King books through the years, but that said is this really horror. To me it seems a smorgasbord of genres, not a bad thing at all I hasten to add; part sci-fi (set 12 years in the future with some technological improvements and it it is also partly post apocalyptic/dystopian); part romance (ok I'm stretching it now, but there is a little bit of luvy duvyness and also a little sex shhh); part Paranormal/Zombie Horror and finally part adventure novel. Don't ask me for the %s of each, as it changes as the book progresses.
Because it is all of those things, it suited me down to the ground, as I read in all those genres (yes even paranormal romance at times, as long as it has some Greek connection ha ha).
As mentioned the story hurtles along at break neck speed for, I would say 90% of the book, and drags you along in a gust of wind behind it. There are times when you cannot believe what just happened and want to physically kick some one, and there are time when you want to shout, "no don't even think of opening that door, just run the other way", but they don't..
All in all a great read, and I'm glad I joined in, a vey solid 4 stars and I shall certainly be investigating where Ruby goes from here. Thanks Julia and fellow Castle Dracula dwellers.
And so, I read this book in June 2020 as part of a Group Read with the Author in the group Castle Dracula .
Well where do I start, ok, horror as a genre is not really my scene, but having said that umpty years ago (oh ok over 40) I did read some English horror books by James Herbert , stories by Edgar Allan Poe and even read a couple of Dennis Wheatley, as well as a few (sci-fi inclined) Stephen King books through the years, but that said is this really horror. To me it seems a smorgasbord of genres, not a bad thing at all I hasten to add; part sci-fi (set 12 years in the future with some technological improvements and it it is also partly post apocalyptic/dystopian); part romance (ok I'm stretching it now, but there is a little bit of luvy duvyness and also a little sex shhh); part Paranormal/Zombie Horror and finally part adventure novel. Don't ask me for the %s of each, as it changes as the book progresses.
Because it is all of those things, it suited me down to the ground, as I read in all those genres (yes even paranormal romance at times, as long as it has some Greek connection ha ha).
As mentioned the story hurtles along at break neck speed for, I would say 90% of the book, and drags you along in a gust of wind behind it. There are times when you cannot believe what just happened and want to physically kick some one, and there are time when you want to shout, "no don't even think of opening that door, just run the other way", but they don't..
All in all a great read, and I'm glad I joined in, a vey solid 4 stars and I shall certainly be investigating where Ruby goes from here. Thanks Julia and fellow Castle Dracula dwellers.
June 5, 2020
Action packed, highly entertaining and great characters!
The One and Only is the first book in The ELI Chronicles and I really think this series is going to be fantastic!
Thank you to the Castle Dracula group on Goodreads for the group read and the writer Julia Ash for being a special guest in the forum!
The Year is 2032…and bioterrorism is destroying the world.
Ruby Spencer wants to leave her old job behind and focus on being a Mom. She’s been working as a microbiologist for the United States on eliminating the threat of zombies and dictators that want to destroy the world.
On one last mission, Ruby and her husband Clay are sent to Taiwan to determine how bad the zombie infection is, along with determining steps on stopping the growing infection.
But there are big players in the background that have hidden and nefarious plans for Ruby and she’s walking into trap!
Who will be politically on top to control the world and the zombies?!
And who will get destroyed as the world rages out of control?
The One and Only has a nice balance of science information, action, and characters to love and hate. I really hated some of the characters in this book to the point that I wanted to go into the pages and kill them myself!!
Kudos Ash on invoking this type of response from me!
After reading this book, I’m going to have serious trust issues to deal with. I could see most of the betrayal coming but it still pissed me off when it happened.
Definitely recommend this book to science fiction and post-apocalyptic fans!
Even if you’re not into either of these genres, I still think you would enjoy this book. I found the characters great, the action entertaining and the book was easy to read.
I just blew through the pages!
Bravo to Ash on writing a character to love and cheer for! I'm really looking forward to finishing up this series and epic journey with Ruby Spencer!
The One and Only is the first book in The ELI Chronicles and I really think this series is going to be fantastic!
Thank you to the Castle Dracula group on Goodreads for the group read and the writer Julia Ash for being a special guest in the forum!
The Year is 2032…and bioterrorism is destroying the world.
Ruby Spencer wants to leave her old job behind and focus on being a Mom. She’s been working as a microbiologist for the United States on eliminating the threat of zombies and dictators that want to destroy the world.
On one last mission, Ruby and her husband Clay are sent to Taiwan to determine how bad the zombie infection is, along with determining steps on stopping the growing infection.
But there are big players in the background that have hidden and nefarious plans for Ruby and she’s walking into trap!
Who will be politically on top to control the world and the zombies?!
And who will get destroyed as the world rages out of control?
The One and Only has a nice balance of science information, action, and characters to love and hate. I really hated some of the characters in this book to the point that I wanted to go into the pages and kill them myself!!
Kudos Ash on invoking this type of response from me!
After reading this book, I’m going to have serious trust issues to deal with. I could see most of the betrayal coming but it still pissed me off when it happened.
Definitely recommend this book to science fiction and post-apocalyptic fans!
Even if you’re not into either of these genres, I still think you would enjoy this book. I found the characters great, the action entertaining and the book was easy to read.
I just blew through the pages!
Bravo to Ash on writing a character to love and cheer for! I'm really looking forward to finishing up this series and epic journey with Ruby Spencer!
January 17, 2022
D.N.F.
This is a nope!
This is a nope!
January 14, 2022
The One and Only the year 2023 Ruby Spencer is plans to spend the rest of life with her family expect for one last mission the action picks up with a twist keeping you reading. The story is awesome and so great!!
June 2, 2020
5 dark stars
And this book would make a badass blockbuster movie!!!
Copy received from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you Julia Ash! This was an AWESOME read!!
Survival wouldn't just happen; she'd make it happen.
Let anything or anyone try to stop her.
Fan Art by The Magic Book Corner
In a post-apocalyptic world, where bioterorism threatened to wipe out the humanity as a whole, Ruby Spencer is 'The One and Only'. She had always had a knack for outrunning death, for surviving the impossible. She suspects it could be because of an in utero blood transfusion she received. A transfusion that saved her life and no doubt had contributed to her blood's unusual complexities. Because her blood was special. It was the only thing that had resisted the infection unleashed through bioterorism and provided a cure.
Ruby's blood had saved humanity.
Until it didn't.
The pathogen mutated and the new strain seemed to have no cure. Not even Ruby's blood could counter it. Humans are now turned into walking zombies and there doesn't seem to be any solution in sight. The U.S. Special Warfare Council tries to deal with the escalating Extinction Level Infection (ELI) and needs the best minds acutely focused on the fight ahead. Ruby being one of them.
Fan Art by The Magic Book Corner
But Ruby had recently become a new mother and her priorities have shifted. Safety for her child and a peaceful life with her husband are more important to her now than her job. something that doesn't sit quite right with neither her colleagues, nor the president herself. To prevent Ruby from quitting and get her back into the game, they send her and her husband Clay on a a low-risk mission to Taiwan where they’ll consult with scientists analyzing the new strain of infection to try and find out anything new about it.
As it turns out however, the low-risk mission is not a LOW risk at all. Things go to hell-in-a-handbasket pretty quickly and Ruby finds herself separated from her husband, kidnapped, imprisoned and thrust into a perverse war game between superpowers, where she’s the prize. She's what everybody wants.
Only she doesn’t know why. Or even how her abduction relates to the ELI crisis.
What Ruby will do and what all she and her husband will go through, I'll leave that for you to find out. But if you'll see all those twists coming, I'll eat my damn boots!
And yes! I'm pretty confident you won't be catching me with a mouthful of leather any time soon.
This is one hell of a ride with an end that will sweep you off your feet.
The One and Only is a fast paced adventure from cover to cover. It grabbed me from the very first paragraph and kept me glued to the pages till the very end.
The beginning is a little slow action-wise but that is beautifully compensated with the scientific mystery of the infection. The why and the how behind it, which Ruby and her husband try to figure out.
And when the ball starts rolling action-wise, you'll be stuck at the edge of the seat biting your nails until the very end. Shit happens when you least expect it, to keep you on your toes. And even when the odds are clearly in the good guys' favor, perhaps getting the jitters should serve as a good warning.
Fan Art by The Magic Book Corner
I loved both Ruby and Clay as characters. Wonderfully fleshed out and as real as they get. Their dynamic is one rarely met and absolutely refreshing. With Ruby the strong one and Clay her trusted sidekick. They complement each other so beautifully that they practically leap off the pages.
The side characters were also not forgotten. Unlike those from other books, that pass through the pages and are easily forgotten, these side characters here are ones you will remember. Because this author doesn't cut corners in their build up either. I found myself rooting for several of them along the way. And that rarely happens.
And then we get the bad guys: Quinton Oxford, Vladimir Volkov and their scientist. All three bona-fide psychos! One a real Einstein - of the twisted variety and the others downright unhinged.
Ox is however the worst.
A despicable traitor, turncoat and bad to the bone, Ox is a nasty piece of work who doesn't give a rat's fried butt on anyone's opinion and tramples on everyone and everything that gets in the way of his plans. And what I found the best about him as antagonist was that little insight into his motives. That little glimpse which showed from where it had all begun. Because no human is purely good or purely evil. We all have both light and darkness inside. Until something happens that tips us over the edge.
As far as zombie books go, this one is absolutely refreshing! Now don't get me wrong. It does have it's fair share of those hair-stand-on-end descriptions of creepy stuff that any horror fan will love.
'The thick liquid looked alive, escaping from the body and creeping, like reaching fingers, inching over the concrete. He had been told the tar-like goo left a zombie corpse in search of a new host. Talk about getting the creeps - like on steroids.'
This book has creeps galore!
But what set it apart and made it downright addictive, was the perverse war game between the superpowers, set on an absolutely plausible and believable premise and complemented by realistic military and fight scenes, as well as sound scientific explanation. A brilliantly mastered mix that I cannot help but admire. One that set this book straight on my Best Reads List for this year.
Ruby reminded me a little of GI Jane in her perseverance and will to survive
But I loved her the most side by side with Clay. This couple is leather and lace at its best!
Bottom-line, cause I already held you enough, if you like apocalyptic books, dark science or a good medical mystery, as well as twisted war games between superpowers
You have got to read The One and Only!
it is A-W-E-S-O-M-E
Find this review and more on my book review and cover art blog The Magic Book Corner
And this book would make a badass blockbuster movie!!!
Copy received from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you Julia Ash! This was an AWESOME read!!
Survival wouldn't just happen; she'd make it happen.
Let anything or anyone try to stop her.
Fan Art by The Magic Book Corner
In a post-apocalyptic world, where bioterorism threatened to wipe out the humanity as a whole, Ruby Spencer is 'The One and Only'. She had always had a knack for outrunning death, for surviving the impossible. She suspects it could be because of an in utero blood transfusion she received. A transfusion that saved her life and no doubt had contributed to her blood's unusual complexities. Because her blood was special. It was the only thing that had resisted the infection unleashed through bioterorism and provided a cure.
Ruby's blood had saved humanity.
Until it didn't.
The pathogen mutated and the new strain seemed to have no cure. Not even Ruby's blood could counter it. Humans are now turned into walking zombies and there doesn't seem to be any solution in sight. The U.S. Special Warfare Council tries to deal with the escalating Extinction Level Infection (ELI) and needs the best minds acutely focused on the fight ahead. Ruby being one of them.
Fan Art by The Magic Book Corner
But Ruby had recently become a new mother and her priorities have shifted. Safety for her child and a peaceful life with her husband are more important to her now than her job. something that doesn't sit quite right with neither her colleagues, nor the president herself. To prevent Ruby from quitting and get her back into the game, they send her and her husband Clay on a a low-risk mission to Taiwan where they’ll consult with scientists analyzing the new strain of infection to try and find out anything new about it.
As it turns out however, the low-risk mission is not a LOW risk at all. Things go to hell-in-a-handbasket pretty quickly and Ruby finds herself separated from her husband, kidnapped, imprisoned and thrust into a perverse war game between superpowers, where she’s the prize. She's what everybody wants.
Only she doesn’t know why. Or even how her abduction relates to the ELI crisis.
What Ruby will do and what all she and her husband will go through, I'll leave that for you to find out. But if you'll see all those twists coming, I'll eat my damn boots!
And yes! I'm pretty confident you won't be catching me with a mouthful of leather any time soon.
This is one hell of a ride with an end that will sweep you off your feet.
The One and Only is a fast paced adventure from cover to cover. It grabbed me from the very first paragraph and kept me glued to the pages till the very end.
The beginning is a little slow action-wise but that is beautifully compensated with the scientific mystery of the infection. The why and the how behind it, which Ruby and her husband try to figure out.
And when the ball starts rolling action-wise, you'll be stuck at the edge of the seat biting your nails until the very end. Shit happens when you least expect it, to keep you on your toes. And even when the odds are clearly in the good guys' favor, perhaps getting the jitters should serve as a good warning.
Fan Art by The Magic Book Corner
I loved both Ruby and Clay as characters. Wonderfully fleshed out and as real as they get. Their dynamic is one rarely met and absolutely refreshing. With Ruby the strong one and Clay her trusted sidekick. They complement each other so beautifully that they practically leap off the pages.
The side characters were also not forgotten. Unlike those from other books, that pass through the pages and are easily forgotten, these side characters here are ones you will remember. Because this author doesn't cut corners in their build up either. I found myself rooting for several of them along the way. And that rarely happens.
And then we get the bad guys: Quinton Oxford, Vladimir Volkov and their scientist. All three bona-fide psychos! One a real Einstein - of the twisted variety and the others downright unhinged.
Ox is however the worst.
A despicable traitor, turncoat and bad to the bone, Ox is a nasty piece of work who doesn't give a rat's fried butt on anyone's opinion and tramples on everyone and everything that gets in the way of his plans. And what I found the best about him as antagonist was that little insight into his motives. That little glimpse which showed from where it had all begun. Because no human is purely good or purely evil. We all have both light and darkness inside. Until something happens that tips us over the edge.
As far as zombie books go, this one is absolutely refreshing! Now don't get me wrong. It does have it's fair share of those hair-stand-on-end descriptions of creepy stuff that any horror fan will love.
'The thick liquid looked alive, escaping from the body and creeping, like reaching fingers, inching over the concrete. He had been told the tar-like goo left a zombie corpse in search of a new host. Talk about getting the creeps - like on steroids.'
This book has creeps galore!
But what set it apart and made it downright addictive, was the perverse war game between the superpowers, set on an absolutely plausible and believable premise and complemented by realistic military and fight scenes, as well as sound scientific explanation. A brilliantly mastered mix that I cannot help but admire. One that set this book straight on my Best Reads List for this year.
Ruby reminded me a little of GI Jane in her perseverance and will to survive
But I loved her the most side by side with Clay. This couple is leather and lace at its best!
Bottom-line, cause I already held you enough, if you like apocalyptic books, dark science or a good medical mystery, as well as twisted war games between superpowers
You have got to read The One and Only!
it is A-W-E-S-O-M-E
Find this review and more on my book review and cover art blog The Magic Book Corner
June 14, 2020
Now that was a crazy ride!!
Wow, this book was amazing, absolutely wonderful, I loved it. Too me the characters really make or break a book, along of course with the story. You don’t have to worry about either with this one. The characters are awesome with the ones you love, and the ones you love to hate. They all have their own very distinct
personalities and act appropriately during the different situations.
This story blew my mind, it took me on an adventure of a lifetime. I rarely knew what was going to happen, I sat here on the edge of my seat. It was GREAT, talk about backstabbing, underhanded, egotistic, crazy people.
This is not your run of the mill type zom b story. This is action, guns blazing, out of the country rescue, special ops, a woman who’s very special and everyone wants her. Hair raising act’s of cruelty (not via the zombies). Life saving intelligence and heroic actions, by Ruby and Clay. They are quite a couple, very much in love, with a their baby girl. They were sent on a mission that was supposed to be a walk in the park (SUPPOSED TO BE). It was everything but. She herself is an amazing scientist, sent to Russia with her husband to retrieve what they could from a town that is in ruins. From the zombies. Then they’re supposed to come back to America (home). It’s not supposed to take more than 5 days. This of course doesn’t happen omg. You have to read to believe.
They’re are scientists working on a heck of a lot more than they let Ruby and Clay know about. Ruby at this point just wants to stay home with her new baby, anything but happens.
You won’t even believe where this story goes at the end wow. Truly this was a wonderful, intense, smart, manipulative, edge of your seat, story. That consumed me from the beginning and drew me in more and more as it went along. Totally blew my mind, I wasn’t expecting anything that happened. Especially in the end!!!
I try hard not to give away any of the story in my reviews and hope I didn’t here.
Wow, this book was amazing, absolutely wonderful, I loved it. Too me the characters really make or break a book, along of course with the story. You don’t have to worry about either with this one. The characters are awesome with the ones you love, and the ones you love to hate. They all have their own very distinct
personalities and act appropriately during the different situations.
This story blew my mind, it took me on an adventure of a lifetime. I rarely knew what was going to happen, I sat here on the edge of my seat. It was GREAT, talk about backstabbing, underhanded, egotistic, crazy people.
This is not your run of the mill type zom b story. This is action, guns blazing, out of the country rescue, special ops, a woman who’s very special and everyone wants her. Hair raising act’s of cruelty (not via the zombies). Life saving intelligence and heroic actions, by Ruby and Clay. They are quite a couple, very much in love, with a their baby girl. They were sent on a mission that was supposed to be a walk in the park (SUPPOSED TO BE). It was everything but. She herself is an amazing scientist, sent to Russia with her husband to retrieve what they could from a town that is in ruins. From the zombies. Then they’re supposed to come back to America (home). It’s not supposed to take more than 5 days. This of course doesn’t happen omg. You have to read to believe.
They’re are scientists working on a heck of a lot more than they let Ruby and Clay know about. Ruby at this point just wants to stay home with her new baby, anything but happens.
You won’t even believe where this story goes at the end wow. Truly this was a wonderful, intense, smart, manipulative, edge of your seat, story. That consumed me from the beginning and drew me in more and more as it went along. Totally blew my mind, I wasn’t expecting anything that happened. Especially in the end!!!
I try hard not to give away any of the story in my reviews and hope I didn’t here.
July 7, 2025
My rating 4.8
The first part of the trilogy “The One and Only (The ELLIE Chronicles # 1)” by Julia Ash is a great book I enjoyed reading. I have wanted to read this book for a long time because I have seen a lot of good reviews posted by my friends, and I have to agree with them that this is a great book. I normally love dystopian books and zombie books, but this book genuinely surprised me because it introduces some things I haven’t seen often in other books. The writer has fascinating ideas, and the ending is great for me. The characters are well developed, and the plot is very good, so it draws you to read it to the very end.
Now, a little about the story: World War III is over, and the person most responsible for it is Ruby Spencer, who was immune to the attack that took place on the entire world population. A vaccine was made from her blood, which saved the survivors. Ruby is in the U.S. Special Warfare Council, but she wants to leave it to dedicate herself to the family and her newborn baby girl. Also, she believes that she gave her scientific contribution to the salvation of humanity with the very fact that she managed to make a vaccine out of her blood. But the president of America has different plans for Ruby and her husband, Clay, because a new plague has emerged that has mutated and the president wants to send them to Taiwan to collect data on the mutated virus. Although reluctantly, Ruby agrees to this last task, after that task, she decides to retire and resign as an advisor. That decision will change her life, and her life and the lives of her family will depend on the decisions she makes. Ruby will find himself in a whirlwind of deceptions, lies, and cover-ups in a world that is on the brink of an abyss due to the hidden games of powerful people who want complete power over the planet. One thing is for sure: Ruby must not trust anyone because her life will be at stake if she makes a mistake.
I would recommend the book to all fans of science fiction, zombies, dystopia, and thrillers. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the twists and turns of the story written for you by writer Julia Ash. I am sure that soon if time allows me, I will read the sequels of the story.
The first part of the trilogy “The One and Only (The ELLIE Chronicles # 1)” by Julia Ash is a great book I enjoyed reading. I have wanted to read this book for a long time because I have seen a lot of good reviews posted by my friends, and I have to agree with them that this is a great book. I normally love dystopian books and zombie books, but this book genuinely surprised me because it introduces some things I haven’t seen often in other books. The writer has fascinating ideas, and the ending is great for me. The characters are well developed, and the plot is very good, so it draws you to read it to the very end.
Now, a little about the story: World War III is over, and the person most responsible for it is Ruby Spencer, who was immune to the attack that took place on the entire world population. A vaccine was made from her blood, which saved the survivors. Ruby is in the U.S. Special Warfare Council, but she wants to leave it to dedicate herself to the family and her newborn baby girl. Also, she believes that she gave her scientific contribution to the salvation of humanity with the very fact that she managed to make a vaccine out of her blood. But the president of America has different plans for Ruby and her husband, Clay, because a new plague has emerged that has mutated and the president wants to send them to Taiwan to collect data on the mutated virus. Although reluctantly, Ruby agrees to this last task, after that task, she decides to retire and resign as an advisor. That decision will change her life, and her life and the lives of her family will depend on the decisions she makes. Ruby will find himself in a whirlwind of deceptions, lies, and cover-ups in a world that is on the brink of an abyss due to the hidden games of powerful people who want complete power over the planet. One thing is for sure: Ruby must not trust anyone because her life will be at stake if she makes a mistake.
I would recommend the book to all fans of science fiction, zombies, dystopia, and thrillers. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the twists and turns of the story written for you by writer Julia Ash. I am sure that soon if time allows me, I will read the sequels of the story.
June 11, 2021
Straight into the shortlist of my Top 18 Books of 2018!
Okay folks, this is fresh and different. When Julia Ash so politely asked if I’d like to read her novel I was excited to do so. Boy! This book exceeded all expectations!
Where do I start? So, followers of me know I’ve read like 3 zombie books in my life. Basically because I find the plot the same and it’s a bit comical. Well...shock factor...this is a book with zombies in it but they are not coming across like any others. I have to stress this next bit, ready?
If you don’t read zombie books it doesn’t matter, this is freaking awesome and sophisticated and clever. Very clever.
We are in the future, WWIII actually happened and a lot of the earths population has been wiped out. The US Government has a plan however...a plan with a really good brain and a kick-ass attitude. One woman could make all the difference. Could one woman save what’s left of humanity?
The plot is new, different and exciting. The action scenes had me jumping up and down yelling at the book. Someone IS going to make this a movie. I’ve predicted a lot of books that become movies years on and this one needs the big screen.
Our kick-butt heroine is a mother, a wife and has something that everybody wants. The good guys, the bad guys and they ones in-between. The plot has brilliant twists and turns. The author really took me for a spin with some of the reveals, I was like...
Shut the front door!
I’m raving about this book. I like the way multiple plot lines run concurrently then merge to make one hell of a surprise ending. Her characters are excellent. I could see, feel and taste each one. The “Z” dudes are suitably dead-but-not-dead but somehow are better than other fictional zombies! Huh? I don’t know, you’ll see what I mean. This just keeps you on your toes. Turning pages.
Plenty of fast paced action. Oodles of twisty bits. Stacks of heart in mouth minutes. Plenty of characters to love then hate and hate then love. Well plotted and highly imaginative. This is NOT gory horror zombies so don’t be scared off. This has mass-market appeal for YA, Thriller, Post-Apocalyptic lovers to action fans, lovers of strong female leads and fans of great twists and reveals.
I LOVED the female lead in this book! Brains, brilliance and a fearless attitude.
I cannot wait to get stuck into book two. I’m first in the queue. I’ll have my sleeping bag to camp outside the bookstore (or I could get on Amazon from the warmth of my home). Highly recommended reading if you want to mix up your reading and try a fresh new author (and one of the nicest I’ve ever spoken to). You’ll be hearing Julia Ash’s name a lot I predict.
5 huge stars. Booklover Catlady loves this! Get it on your reading list.
Many thanks to Julia for my treasured copy to read and review. All opinions are my own and totally unbiased.
Okay folks, this is fresh and different. When Julia Ash so politely asked if I’d like to read her novel I was excited to do so. Boy! This book exceeded all expectations!
Where do I start? So, followers of me know I’ve read like 3 zombie books in my life. Basically because I find the plot the same and it’s a bit comical. Well...shock factor...this is a book with zombies in it but they are not coming across like any others. I have to stress this next bit, ready?
If you don’t read zombie books it doesn’t matter, this is freaking awesome and sophisticated and clever. Very clever.
We are in the future, WWIII actually happened and a lot of the earths population has been wiped out. The US Government has a plan however...a plan with a really good brain and a kick-ass attitude. One woman could make all the difference. Could one woman save what’s left of humanity?
The plot is new, different and exciting. The action scenes had me jumping up and down yelling at the book. Someone IS going to make this a movie. I’ve predicted a lot of books that become movies years on and this one needs the big screen.
Our kick-butt heroine is a mother, a wife and has something that everybody wants. The good guys, the bad guys and they ones in-between. The plot has brilliant twists and turns. The author really took me for a spin with some of the reveals, I was like...
Shut the front door!
I’m raving about this book. I like the way multiple plot lines run concurrently then merge to make one hell of a surprise ending. Her characters are excellent. I could see, feel and taste each one. The “Z” dudes are suitably dead-but-not-dead but somehow are better than other fictional zombies! Huh? I don’t know, you’ll see what I mean. This just keeps you on your toes. Turning pages.
Plenty of fast paced action. Oodles of twisty bits. Stacks of heart in mouth minutes. Plenty of characters to love then hate and hate then love. Well plotted and highly imaginative. This is NOT gory horror zombies so don’t be scared off. This has mass-market appeal for YA, Thriller, Post-Apocalyptic lovers to action fans, lovers of strong female leads and fans of great twists and reveals.
I LOVED the female lead in this book! Brains, brilliance and a fearless attitude.
I cannot wait to get stuck into book two. I’m first in the queue. I’ll have my sleeping bag to camp outside the bookstore (or I could get on Amazon from the warmth of my home). Highly recommended reading if you want to mix up your reading and try a fresh new author (and one of the nicest I’ve ever spoken to). You’ll be hearing Julia Ash’s name a lot I predict.
5 huge stars. Booklover Catlady loves this! Get it on your reading list.
Many thanks to Julia for my treasured copy to read and review. All opinions are my own and totally unbiased.
June 26, 2020
(More highlights from my kindle to come.. I know.. geez girl)
We are told sometimes that we are unique, our fingerprints, our DNA, even in twins they have found a difference somewhere deep in the coding of the mitochondrial DNA (read medical article or reference again to verify) (excuse me if I’m wrong about where). The thing is to say; we are all unique.. twins don’t always look the same or act the same. We are unique in so many ways.
The things we like and how we look, wgere we live, our experiences, our family (or sadly), our lack of family, friends.
Everything we bring with us IS us.
Ruby Spencer has been told her whole life she is a super hero, hard to kill, the one and only, a gem- but she just wants to do one more Council mission and go home and see to her newborn. She and her blood helped cure the world of a deadly disease once. She just wants her family.
The POTUS and her college BFF have other ideas.
What ensues is Ruby’s battle for her life, life essence, her family, and her place in the world against a collusion of denizens that can’t seem to let her be.
A new, terrible mutation has come about and people she thought she could trust want to use her blood to fight the new virus turning the infected into undead infectors. (Walking black slime-parasite-incubators.) But so far nothing has worked.
Why are they still after her?
She wants to go home!
And her most determined enemy, Ox, was also the bane of my existence throughout this entire book too. Ughhhh!
I loved the book, which for me started out a bit slow, then it picked up fast and I was locked in and read the rest in two parts.
There were a couple of parts I didn’t like and I skipped them. Small parts. (Rough dialogue, sexual stuff, etc)
And I just hated Ox.
She made every confrontation with this guy painful. So was he a well- written antagonist —YES!!!!
I got chills near the end. I loved it. I hope I am able to continue in the series.
There are triggers so if you are concerned you can pm me or ask the author.
She has been super nice through this whole read. I’m a fan now, for sure.
Thank you, Julia.
We did this for our Castle Dracula group read. I’m glad I joined in.
4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
We are told sometimes that we are unique, our fingerprints, our DNA, even in twins they have found a difference somewhere deep in the coding of the mitochondrial DNA (read medical article or reference again to verify) (excuse me if I’m wrong about where). The thing is to say; we are all unique.. twins don’t always look the same or act the same. We are unique in so many ways.
The things we like and how we look, wgere we live, our experiences, our family (or sadly), our lack of family, friends.
Everything we bring with us IS us.
Ruby Spencer has been told her whole life she is a super hero, hard to kill, the one and only, a gem- but she just wants to do one more Council mission and go home and see to her newborn. She and her blood helped cure the world of a deadly disease once. She just wants her family.
The POTUS and her college BFF have other ideas.
What ensues is Ruby’s battle for her life, life essence, her family, and her place in the world against a collusion of denizens that can’t seem to let her be.
A new, terrible mutation has come about and people she thought she could trust want to use her blood to fight the new virus turning the infected into undead infectors. (Walking black slime-parasite-incubators.) But so far nothing has worked.
Why are they still after her?
She wants to go home!
And her most determined enemy, Ox, was also the bane of my existence throughout this entire book too. Ughhhh!
I loved the book, which for me started out a bit slow, then it picked up fast and I was locked in and read the rest in two parts.
There were a couple of parts I didn’t like and I skipped them. Small parts. (Rough dialogue, sexual stuff, etc)
And I just hated Ox.
She made every confrontation with this guy painful. So was he a well- written antagonist —YES!!!!
I got chills near the end. I loved it. I hope I am able to continue in the series.
There are triggers so if you are concerned you can pm me or ask the author.
She has been super nice through this whole read. I’m a fan now, for sure.
Thank you, Julia.
We did this for our Castle Dracula group read. I’m glad I joined in.
4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2019
Do you ever get this feeling you're really going to enjoy a book for no specific reason ahead of time? I occasionally have that happen, and it's great fun when it ends up following through. That was my experience with reading The One and Only by Julia Ash. I did not read any reviews ahead of time, but when I saw one of my goodreads friends starting book 2 and read the book description of this one, I thought it was going to be a fit. And it was!
I've read quite a few post-apocalyptic books, and quite a few zombie books as well, but I was pleasantly surprised with the different take on those storylines in this book. I found the premise to be plausible and believable, which made the horror aspect of the story more real. I also found a lot of the ideas to be clever in tying different parts of the story together and giving the overall story a real solid basis to be built upon.
I thought the characters in this were exceptionally well created. It was easy to get behind our main character and sympathize with her difficult decisions. It was also easy to despise the antagonists in the story as well, but understand their motivations. The supporting roles were all done well and made believable.
What I enjoyed most overall was that the story was very well paced and filled with action. There were several twists that were very fitting, and that ending- wow, I did not see that big twist coming!! I'm right there with what several other reviewers said about not seeing that coming at all! Book 2 has a totally different outlook now, and I've already picked it up to get to next.
4.5/5.0 action-packed stars!
I've read quite a few post-apocalyptic books, and quite a few zombie books as well, but I was pleasantly surprised with the different take on those storylines in this book. I found the premise to be plausible and believable, which made the horror aspect of the story more real. I also found a lot of the ideas to be clever in tying different parts of the story together and giving the overall story a real solid basis to be built upon.
I thought the characters in this were exceptionally well created. It was easy to get behind our main character and sympathize with her difficult decisions. It was also easy to despise the antagonists in the story as well, but understand their motivations. The supporting roles were all done well and made believable.
What I enjoyed most overall was that the story was very well paced and filled with action. There were several twists that were very fitting, and that ending- wow, I did not see that big twist coming!! I'm right there with what several other reviewers said about not seeing that coming at all! Book 2 has a totally different outlook now, and I've already picked it up to get to next.
4.5/5.0 action-packed stars!
March 17, 2020
“The One and Only” is a fascinating tale that thrusts readers into an action-packed apocalyptic world. The heroine, Ruby, is a character that all woman can look up to; who not only plays the role of a kick-ass agent, but also an intelligent bio-terrorism expert and a loving, dedicated mother. Together, on what appears to be a quick mission, with her husband, Ruby’s plans to get home to her baby soon, are turned upside as the world around her is being overwhelmed by a new zombie infection and she is kidnapped to be used as a pawn in a war between political powers. Not only was the story an exciting read with all the twists and turns of the plot, but it was made more fascinating by the recent Coronavirus events that sound as though they are becoming as widespread as the initial infection Ruby’s blood cured (although thankfully not as deadly or turning us into zombies…yet). Knowing there was a sequel already, I was worried it would end on a major cliffhanger – forcing you to read the second book. However, I was pleased when the story had resolution, which left me wanting to read the second book.
June 9, 2020
The One And Only, not a better descriptive name for this book. I sped through reading this. Action, action and more action. A diabolical plot to use the living dead as an army. There were so many twists and turns close attention will help one see the government's and what they won't do to dominate the world. What happens to the heroine at the end is a real turn of events and even shocking at first. The living dead and vampire combined for a non stop thrill of a ride. I can barely wait for book Two.
March 4, 2020
The One and Only by Julia Ash gives us Ruby, the female lead in the latest World War Z literary version. It has everything you expect: suspense, death, mayhem. From top to bottom, this book will dig its claws into you and not let you go until you finish. Highly recommend it.
June 29, 2020
#TheOneandOnly #JuliaAsh
Wow!!! What a impressive debut!!! Bravo, bravo, bravo!!!
My thoughts on this book are just WOW!!! I am so impressed by what I just read! This author has blown my mind!
Never really expecting to like a book about zombies, I was completely blown away! This book is mainly about Ruby, a microbiologist who once saved the world because she had the only blood that was immune to a virus engineered as a biological weapon. She is "The One and Only". Boy did I like her! Her spirit, her kindness, her bravery, truly a beautiful heroine of the story!
Anyway, the original virus mutated into a hybrid that reanimated dead people who then are constantly seeking oxygenated blood, aptly named ZOM-B. Ruby and her husband Clay are members of a special council under the president, who are studying the ZOM-B infected people. They also have a daughter, Gabby, and a dog named Lolly. Anyway, Ruby and Clay are sent by the President to Thailand on a mission to study a village that was infected by the ZOM-B virus and burned. Also they are to view the former leader of Thailand, now infected with the virus he created! After viewing him, Clay is supposed to shoot him dead. While positioned to kill the infected leader, something goes wrong and chaos ensues. Ruby and Clay are separated but eventually end up reunited in a Moscow (as in Russia) prison. They soon find out they are there because a terrorist group needs Ruby's blood to create a vaccine for the ZOM-B virus and then use it to create a zombie army who can be 'cured' at will, making them the ultimate weapon in biological warfare!
After that there will be daring rescues and recaptures and kidnappings, along with plenty of action and an ending you WILL. NOT. SEE. COMING.!!! There were so many Oh! moments, where I was biting my tongue, on the edge of my seat because of the evilness and inhumanity!
This book was written so very well, it is amazing for an authors debut! I would definitely recommend to anyone, even if you don't like zombie tales! I think most would enjoy this true gem! I cannot give it enough praise! Thank you so much to the publisher and #Edelweiss for granting me a copy for my honest review!
But wait! There's more! This is not the end of the story! This is the beginning of a series and the second book is The Tether, already on my TBR list, compliments of Edelweiss!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Greatly deserved Stars!!!
Wow!!! What a impressive debut!!! Bravo, bravo, bravo!!!
My thoughts on this book are just WOW!!! I am so impressed by what I just read! This author has blown my mind!
Never really expecting to like a book about zombies, I was completely blown away! This book is mainly about Ruby, a microbiologist who once saved the world because she had the only blood that was immune to a virus engineered as a biological weapon. She is "The One and Only". Boy did I like her! Her spirit, her kindness, her bravery, truly a beautiful heroine of the story!
Anyway, the original virus mutated into a hybrid that reanimated dead people who then are constantly seeking oxygenated blood, aptly named ZOM-B. Ruby and her husband Clay are members of a special council under the president, who are studying the ZOM-B infected people. They also have a daughter, Gabby, and a dog named Lolly. Anyway, Ruby and Clay are sent by the President to Thailand on a mission to study a village that was infected by the ZOM-B virus and burned. Also they are to view the former leader of Thailand, now infected with the virus he created! After viewing him, Clay is supposed to shoot him dead. While positioned to kill the infected leader, something goes wrong and chaos ensues. Ruby and Clay are separated but eventually end up reunited in a Moscow (as in Russia) prison. They soon find out they are there because a terrorist group needs Ruby's blood to create a vaccine for the ZOM-B virus and then use it to create a zombie army who can be 'cured' at will, making them the ultimate weapon in biological warfare!
After that there will be daring rescues and recaptures and kidnappings, along with plenty of action and an ending you WILL. NOT. SEE. COMING.!!! There were so many Oh! moments, where I was biting my tongue, on the edge of my seat because of the evilness and inhumanity!
This book was written so very well, it is amazing for an authors debut! I would definitely recommend to anyone, even if you don't like zombie tales! I think most would enjoy this true gem! I cannot give it enough praise! Thank you so much to the publisher and #Edelweiss for granting me a copy for my honest review!
But wait! There's more! This is not the end of the story! This is the beginning of a series and the second book is The Tether, already on my TBR list, compliments of Edelweiss!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Greatly deserved Stars!!!
September 14, 2023
Zombies are not my standard go to, but this book was interesting, and when I had finished reading it I realized it was very good. Probably enjoyed it as much as I did because I work in a bio lab (no zombies involved!).
August 14, 2020
I very much enjoyed this book. It was fast paced, with action from beginning to end. There was a twist near the end that I did not expect. If you like adventure and/or zombies, it’s definitely worth a read.
February 12, 2022
First off, apologies this review has taken so long to write. I set it aside and totally forgot to finish it.
3.5 stars.
With bags of frenetic action, zombies, a world-wide killer virus, and lots of background skullduggery, The One and Only (The Eli Chronicles #1) should appeal to plenty of people. It's certainly a fast paced affair, although I felt the story was impacted by a few minor issues.
During a worldwide plague/zombie apocalypse, the Special Warfare Council dispatch Ruby Spencer and her husband Clay on a research mission to Taiwan. Once there, they are to engage with scientists analyzing the latest outbreak. Ruby has a unique skillset, and is already hailed as humankind's saviour due to her having a unique blood type that was used to overcome a previous outbreak. As for Clay? Well, I'm still not sure what his qualifications were for being on the mission. His role amounted to little more than serving as eye candy - Ruby's very own Ken Doll.
Unfortunately, for me, there was actually too much going on here. The pacing was frenetic, and this leaves too little time for character development. Too little time for the reader to build up a relationship with the characters: to care about those characters.
Actually, there are two points where the story does slow down; once when Ruby and Clay find themselves cut adrift on an ocean going yacht, and the second when they spend time with some close friends. Personally, I thought these were the strongest parts of the novel.
Retouching on the point about characterization. One of the main villains is a man named Col. Quinton Oxford (the Ox.). You don't have to like a character, but there has to be enough on the bones to keep you interested in their motivations. When the Ox finally revealed the reason behind his despicable actions, it all seemed a little trite. His dialogue was also somewhat cringy, as was that spoken by another character who continually referred to Ruby as "Girlfriend."
Overall, this is a decent first novel with a strong female lead, and plenty of room to expand the backstories of its major characters as the series progresses.
3.5 stars.
With bags of frenetic action, zombies, a world-wide killer virus, and lots of background skullduggery, The One and Only (The Eli Chronicles #1) should appeal to plenty of people. It's certainly a fast paced affair, although I felt the story was impacted by a few minor issues.
During a worldwide plague/zombie apocalypse, the Special Warfare Council dispatch Ruby Spencer and her husband Clay on a research mission to Taiwan. Once there, they are to engage with scientists analyzing the latest outbreak. Ruby has a unique skillset, and is already hailed as humankind's saviour due to her having a unique blood type that was used to overcome a previous outbreak. As for Clay? Well, I'm still not sure what his qualifications were for being on the mission. His role amounted to little more than serving as eye candy - Ruby's very own Ken Doll.
Unfortunately, for me, there was actually too much going on here. The pacing was frenetic, and this leaves too little time for character development. Too little time for the reader to build up a relationship with the characters: to care about those characters.
Actually, there are two points where the story does slow down; once when Ruby and Clay find themselves cut adrift on an ocean going yacht, and the second when they spend time with some close friends. Personally, I thought these were the strongest parts of the novel.
Retouching on the point about characterization. One of the main villains is a man named Col. Quinton Oxford (the Ox.). You don't have to like a character, but there has to be enough on the bones to keep you interested in their motivations. When the Ox finally revealed the reason behind his despicable actions, it all seemed a little trite. His dialogue was also somewhat cringy, as was that spoken by another character who continually referred to Ruby as "Girlfriend."
Overall, this is a decent first novel with a strong female lead, and plenty of room to expand the backstories of its major characters as the series progresses.
September 14, 2020
The One and Only
was a fantastic book and one that puts Julia Ash on my list of favorite, favorite indie authors.
I hardly need to breakdown the plot with so many reviews of this novel, but I’ll just give a bit of context here. The One and Only is the introduction into the ELI Chronicles. It takes place in the near future where humanity’s gone through some pretty horrid s#$% and is about to go through some even more horrid s%$*. The main character, Ruby, has already saved the world and this story tells a gripping tale of how she ends up saving it once again. And while I won’t spoil anything, I can definitely say I did not see this particular end coming and .
The book has a great pace with short chapters that keep the action going, along with some gunshots fired, bite-y zombie nastiness, and multiple beatdowns. Creates a fresh scientific take on zombie-ism. Poor Ruby cannot seem to catch a break throughout this story. One other thing I liked is that it portrayed moral and action “grayness” pretty well. Even the people that did the bad stuff, you could see why they might think it was the right thing to do. Even Ruby has areas where you think, really? That doesn’t seem like the “good” thing to do. So that introduces an element that really makes you think about what you are reading without taking you out of the story. That’s good stuff anytime the writer can do that to you.
One thing I felt was a bit odd was that I felt like But this is a very very soft issue I had.
A few other comments. Loved the acronyms Ash comes up with that have a military feel while also giving you interesting double entendres. There’s a line that I loved and words to live by: “Inaction and corruption were the evils of their time.” Boy, no kidding. Yeesh. The language was easy to read.
I hardly need to breakdown the plot with so many reviews of this novel, but I’ll just give a bit of context here. The One and Only is the introduction into the ELI Chronicles. It takes place in the near future where humanity’s gone through some pretty horrid s#$% and is about to go through some even more horrid s%$*. The main character, Ruby, has already saved the world and this story tells a gripping tale of how she ends up saving it once again. And while I won’t spoil anything, I can definitely say I did not see this particular end coming and .
The book has a great pace with short chapters that keep the action going, along with some gunshots fired, bite-y zombie nastiness, and multiple beatdowns. Creates a fresh scientific take on zombie-ism. Poor Ruby cannot seem to catch a break throughout this story. One other thing I liked is that it portrayed moral and action “grayness” pretty well. Even the people that did the bad stuff, you could see why they might think it was the right thing to do. Even Ruby has areas where you think, really? That doesn’t seem like the “good” thing to do. So that introduces an element that really makes you think about what you are reading without taking you out of the story. That’s good stuff anytime the writer can do that to you.
One thing I felt was a bit odd was that I felt like But this is a very very soft issue I had.
A few other comments. Loved the acronyms Ash comes up with that have a military feel while also giving you interesting double entendres. There’s a line that I loved and words to live by: “Inaction and corruption were the evils of their time.” Boy, no kidding. Yeesh. The language was easy to read.
July 28, 2020
More than meets the eye
On first impression, this is a novel about zombies and post apocalyptic hysteria and survival. However, diving deeper this is a masterful exploration of the human condition and political corruption as well. Its fantasy made real, as real as imagining yourself in Ruby's shoes, fighting for survival and the undying hope of family and peace, no matter if its fighting zombies or fighting everyday dilemmas. Ruby and Clay's fears and struggles are genuine no matter the setting, hurtling this story far above the typical zombie narrative. Readers will never guess the ending and certainly won't be able to resist wanting to know what happens next.
On first impression, this is a novel about zombies and post apocalyptic hysteria and survival. However, diving deeper this is a masterful exploration of the human condition and political corruption as well. Its fantasy made real, as real as imagining yourself in Ruby's shoes, fighting for survival and the undying hope of family and peace, no matter if its fighting zombies or fighting everyday dilemmas. Ruby and Clay's fears and struggles are genuine no matter the setting, hurtling this story far above the typical zombie narrative. Readers will never guess the ending and certainly won't be able to resist wanting to know what happens next.
January 21, 2020
This novel is certainly jam-packed with plot lines and characters! There is always some tension being built with more to come. It's easy to see this played out on screen, 24-style. In book form however, readers are inundated with characters, many of which fill overused stereotypes. It becomes difficult to remember who is friend and who is foe especially as characters are killed off. Still, this novel has the potential to hook tons of readers into the series!
June 29, 2019
Wow, this fast-paced thriller about bioterrorism kept me totally riveted! I had never read a novel about zombies before, so this was a first for me. And it turned out to be much more than just a book about zombies.
While reading the first part of the book, set in Taiwan, I was distracted by some of the stylistic quirks (such as unnecessary hyphens between words), but by the time the action moved to Moscow, I was so engrossed in the story that I hardly noticed them. (I'm a longtime copyeditor, proofreader and editor, so I usually notice everything, even if I don't want to.)
The story is well told and filled with unpredictable twists and turns. In fact, there's no way I ever would have foreseen the amazing, shocking ending that leads us into book two.
The characters are well portrayed, especially the protagonist, Ruby, brilliant and pretty much fearless, and I liked her husband, Clay. There are several villains, but the big bad is the evil Ox, a psychopath who may seem over-the-top, but there are people like him in the real world.
I recommend this novel to readers who enjoy twisty thrillers, science fiction, postapocalyptic fiction, and zombie tales that aren't overly horrific.
My thanks to the author, who sent me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
While reading the first part of the book, set in Taiwan, I was distracted by some of the stylistic quirks (such as unnecessary hyphens between words), but by the time the action moved to Moscow, I was so engrossed in the story that I hardly noticed them. (I'm a longtime copyeditor, proofreader and editor, so I usually notice everything, even if I don't want to.)
The story is well told and filled with unpredictable twists and turns. In fact, there's no way I ever would have foreseen the amazing, shocking ending that leads us into book two.
The characters are well portrayed, especially the protagonist, Ruby, brilliant and pretty much fearless, and I liked her husband, Clay. There are several villains, but the big bad is the evil Ox, a psychopath who may seem over-the-top, but there are people like him in the real world.
I recommend this novel to readers who enjoy twisty thrillers, science fiction, postapocalyptic fiction, and zombie tales that aren't overly horrific.
My thanks to the author, who sent me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 16, 2020
Ruby Spencer works for the U.S Special Warfare Council. With a devastating infection on the loose, Ruby is paramount to the fight for humanity's survival. With a waning interest in her job, due to motherhood, Ruby sets out on her last assignment. In Taiwan, Ruby and her husband will study the infection and search for a way to fight it. But when Ruby becomes separated from her husband, she must give her all to survive.
This book is horror but with a healthy dose of suspense and adventure. I wasn't sure what to expect initially, but it's a great read! The story is captivating, and the plot is immersive.
The protagonist, Ruby, is charming, assertive, intelligent, and more. She makes a great lead character and is one of the reasons this book is so good.
On the one hand, Ruby is a skilled woman that is essential to the fight against the zombie outbreak. On the other, she is a mother to her newborn. This contrast adds desperation to the story and urgency to everything Ruby does.
I thought the story was not too cliched and original with some surprises and twists. The author creates a devastating dystopia that makes you invest in these characters and root for them.
A very good read, I definitely recommend it.
This book is horror but with a healthy dose of suspense and adventure. I wasn't sure what to expect initially, but it's a great read! The story is captivating, and the plot is immersive.
The protagonist, Ruby, is charming, assertive, intelligent, and more. She makes a great lead character and is one of the reasons this book is so good.
On the one hand, Ruby is a skilled woman that is essential to the fight against the zombie outbreak. On the other, she is a mother to her newborn. This contrast adds desperation to the story and urgency to everything Ruby does.
I thought the story was not too cliched and original with some surprises and twists. The author creates a devastating dystopia that makes you invest in these characters and root for them.
A very good read, I definitely recommend it.
September 3, 2020
The One and Only starts with a bang, or at least, with head exploding nano-bombs, and just keeps on rolling. Set two years after a global pandemic, the only survivor, Ruby, has helped create a vaccine using the antibodies in her blood. Of course with the resulting starvation and illness that ensues there are tensions between countries and World War IV is imminent. Before you stop reading due to spoilers let me tell you, all of this happens in the first 10 pages of the book.
Ruby and Clay, her husband, survive many trials together, and their in-novel marriage grounds them, and the story, to something less global and more personal. They are both likeable characters that you want to make it through. The villain is the perfect blend of pure evil and likeable that makes you root for his demise but allows you to be thoroughly entertained along the way.
Overall, the story is fast paced, action packed and well written. It is not a long read simply due to the fact that you can’t put it down once you start reading.
Ruby and Clay, her husband, survive many trials together, and their in-novel marriage grounds them, and the story, to something less global and more personal. They are both likeable characters that you want to make it through. The villain is the perfect blend of pure evil and likeable that makes you root for his demise but allows you to be thoroughly entertained along the way.
Overall, the story is fast paced, action packed and well written. It is not a long read simply due to the fact that you can’t put it down once you start reading.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2020
What an utterly brilliant novel!
The One and Only is, refreshingly, unlike anything I’d read before, and exceeded all my expectations for it.
Ruby, the protagonist of the novel, is a brilliant (and, I might add, morally and emotionally complex) character, a scientist who just so happens to specialise in bioterrorism at the outbreak of an Extinction Level Infection (i.e. the beginning of a zombie apocalypse). I loved the inclusion of Ruby’s young family, and the moral ambiguity of a woman who is tasked with saving humanity and also trying to prioritise her newborn child. Ash gives this story a real edge to it; something that I have not yet come across in other books of this genre and which kept me guessing to the end.
The suspense, the politics, the relationships and even the zombie-science of The One and Only is brilliantly written, and makes for a plot with genuine depth and intrigue throughout.
The One and Only is, refreshingly, unlike anything I’d read before, and exceeded all my expectations for it.
Ruby, the protagonist of the novel, is a brilliant (and, I might add, morally and emotionally complex) character, a scientist who just so happens to specialise in bioterrorism at the outbreak of an Extinction Level Infection (i.e. the beginning of a zombie apocalypse). I loved the inclusion of Ruby’s young family, and the moral ambiguity of a woman who is tasked with saving humanity and also trying to prioritise her newborn child. Ash gives this story a real edge to it; something that I have not yet come across in other books of this genre and which kept me guessing to the end.
The suspense, the politics, the relationships and even the zombie-science of The One and Only is brilliantly written, and makes for a plot with genuine depth and intrigue throughout.
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