The Rising: The Newsflesh Trilogy

Newsflesh #1-3

by Mira Grant

Now, for the first time, Mira Grant's complete New York Times bestselling NEWSFLESH trilogy is available in a single volume.

"Alive or dead, the truth won't rest. My name is Georgia Mason, and I am begging you. Rise up while you can."

The year was 2014. We had cured cancer. We had beat the common cold. But in doing so we created something new, something terrible that no one could stop. The infection spread, virus blocks taking over bodies and minds with one, unstoppable FEED.

Now, twenty years after the Rising, Georgia and Shaun Mason are on the trail of the biggest story of their lives —the dark conspiracy behind the infected. The truth will out, even if it kills them.

Genres: Horror, Zombies, Fiction, Science Fiction, Post Apocalyptic, Thriller, Fantasy

1151 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 30, 2012

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

[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.

[Kenneth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little over the top, maybe, but it kept me reading through all three books in the collection. If you like zombies, this is a great take.

I need to explain what kicked me out of the narrative, and to make it clear that it was not the author's fault. The world has been changing for my lifetime, let's call it the last fifty years, and this book, although set in an alternate future of zombies, came out 12 years ago. Or the first volume did, and it's conception would have been much earlier. Obama was in the White House, and the cracks of the current political divide were visible, but not yet become the yawning chasm we have now.

This book is about political intrigue and journalism as much as it is about zombies. And, spoiler alert, no really, stope reading here........you've been warned.....the journalists break the big story. They tell truth to power. It's a theme throughout, and in the end, people believe them. Sadly, that world in which you can tell the truth and change minds, sway opinions, that world seems more unrealistic than the zombies.

[.W. · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. Mira Grant aka Seanan McGuire aka whatever other name she writes under is consistently disappointing. breaks the cardinal rules of "show, don't tell". so much infodumping. so much cardboard angst. so much quasi-technical (but not ACTUALLY technical - that would have been interesting) exposition about A/V equipment. so many terrible one-liners. wooden relationships, grade-school religious and political discourse. misquoting the Bard. i could go on.

here's a tip folks - prolific does not mean proficient! check out Max Brooks if you want a better take on this idea.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent trilogy. Loaded with action, intrigue, politics, humor (dark to very dark) and pathos (just the appropriate amount), these books were great fun. I loved the characters, and trusted the author's plotting, the twists and turns, and the truth to power theme. I've enjoyed several of Seanan McGuire's books, but The Rising made me realize that her writing as Mira Grant is even more suited to my taste. Highly recommended as an entertaining and immersive read.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

A GREAT READ! Would make a very good TV mini series. 👍👍

[Tasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kindle Unlimited. Only read the third book as I’ve read the others separately but the third wasn’t on unlimited.

I’m still enjoying the science behind this virus and how society is recovering from a global pandemic.

[Amie's Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this unique take on the zombie apocalypse.

Well worth reading.

[Amy Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome. Just awesome.

I've enjoyed a lot of Seanan MacGuire's work, and only just started looking at her stuff written as Mira Grant. I was initially not too enthused about Newsflesh, as zombies really aren't my thing, but Grant makes them fresh and interesting and fascinating, with a lot of shout-outs to "classic" zombie schtick for those who were already into zombies.

The first book could have worked as a standalone, and I suspect it was written that way in case it didn't do well enough to merit a sequel, but it's in the second book that things really start to get interesting. There's a huge conspiracy plot that begins in the first book and threads its way through the rest, and does eventually get resolved in part, by kidnapping the president, but what I really liked was the medical details about the zombie-virus (Kellis-Amberlee). Everything felt well-researched and plausible.

One detail that annoyed me slightly. In the first book, I came away with the impression that George and Shaun were both asexual. Apparently that was not the intention, as it became clear in the second book that they had been lovers. Not quite incest, as they are unrelated, adopted siblings. I was mostly disappointed because of how rare ace representation is, though some might object to the near-incest. I misread a detail in the first book, and I rather suspect the intention there was made explicit in the second book because I wasn't the only one.

[Amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book started slow for me, so I'd started reading a few pages, then stopped and then picked it up again a few weeks later. I was more receptive to the story the second time around because it's made me lose sleep for a few days because every time I put it down, ready for bed, I'd pick it up again and read till my eyes burned. Always a sign of a good book for me.

I've read many zombie apocalypse-type books and most of them deals with the MCs just struggling to survive but not really getting into the origins of the zombie apocalypse. This book addresses that but in a measured way, referencing to it from time to time wherever relevant.

I like the MCs - siblings George and Shaun - they complement one another, also their employees on the website they run are a bunch of entertaining misfits.

Though the ending of the trilogy adequately tied up all loose ends, I'd prefer a bit more and wish that they author would consider an extended epilogue.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the most interesting takes on the zombie genre I've read. It somehow combines zombies and blogging into a funny political thriller, and it mostly works. The world building is next-level -- this is where a lot of zombie stories fall flat but Grant deals with some fascinating unintended-consequences situations suited for 20 years after the apocalypse, including: How does the world adjust to not having red meat anymore? If there's an outbreak on your property and you and everyone there become zombies, who owns your property afterwards? And, how would you run a Presidential campaign in this kind of world?

My biggest issue with these books (this was a single-volume edition of a trilogy) was that very often there was a lot of "tell" and not enough "show" -- many pages consisting of long, pensive conversations about what characters were *about* to do. And Grant doesn't do villains very well.

[Kieran McAndrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who could have foreseen that two geniuses could create two miracle cures at approximately the same time? And who could have foreseen that these two genetically engineered retroviruses could have combined to create a hidden killer that turned the entire world into zombies in waiting. The Kellis-Amberlee virus is on the loose and the only sure way to save yourself is to lock yourself away. Permanently.

Grant's novel has an interesting premise, which plays into many of the current conspiracy theories around COVID-19 and is technically excellent in its execution. The entire trilogy is internally consistent and the use of multiple points of view and blog entries makes the quest for truth seem objective and real.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant trilogy. This is Zompoc however a very unique and unusual take on the genre, mixed in with triller. The storyline is based in a couple decades or so time after the “Rising” (was which was the Zombie Apocalypse). Society isn’t like a Mad Max film.

The storyline follows a group of internet journalists and a conspiracy which will rock the foundations of the post-Rising society. I am about to start the 4th book in the series and perhaps the shorter stories accompanying the main books. I really enjoyed reading this.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is either the worst possible time to read Mira Grant’s Newsflesh series, or the best possible time to pick. I am going to go with “read it now,” because I did, and it was absolutely worth it.

At the beginning of Newsflesh, everyone is hiding in their homes afraid of a rampaging virus. They are terrified of being around one another for fear of contagion and they take constant blood tests. And there are zombies. Lots of zombies.

To read the rest of this review, go to FangirlNation.

[Jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

“She’s probably clinically insane, but she’s good people, and that’s harder to come by than sanity these days.”
― Mira Grant, The Rising: The Newsflesh Trilogy

I was so lucky to receive this book as a gift. I loved every minute of it. I could barely put it down. Full of conspiracy, action, excitement, and of course, zombies.... this is best book (series) I've read all year. I will have to read more by Mira Grant. I'm hooked!

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic trilogy that cannot be recommended enough. It’s a zombie novel that has some very chilling relevance to the current quarantine that we are experiencing. It’s also a great extrapolation of how the news media might evolve over the next two decades.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome all the way through

There are only two authors in the world who can make me want to read about zombies. Mira Grant (Seanan McGuire) is one of them, the other is Cherie Priest. I will read anything those ladies write, and this book has just solidified that.

[Cindy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Juvenile

Almost unreadable. Horrible prose. Can I get a refund for 3 books I purchased and didn't finish? So boring. I just can't read another page....

[Dawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This series would have been more enjoyable had it been at least 30% shorter. There is so much downtime between events that's just not filled in interesting ways, but with all kinds of info dumping about blogging, journalism, techy camera & computer equipment talk. It was tolerable in the first book for world building but it was just annoying after that. I ended up skim reading most of the series. George haunting Shaun is a majorly belabored plot point and I can't figure out why. So that he won't be super shocked when he sees George's clone?

And of course I have to mention the brother/sister but not really romance. What in the actual heck??? During the first 2 books it bugged me that their relationship was just... off. It was vaguely disturbing. In the last book it comes out that they've just been a romantic couple for... how long? Years? Since puberty? Before that? It's fucking weird, y'all. And, again, why? Why turn it into a freaky romance?

These books had some cool action scenes and some of the world building was neat, like how the world changed post-zombies, but it's just all overshadowed by the gross romance and major info dumping that doesn't do anything to move the plot along or enrich character development.

[Fictional Persona · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a lot to admire about this series. I don't think I have ever read a series that deals with any type of zombie (except for The Serpent and the Rainbow, which is nonfiction). This series dealt in a reasonably believable way with the aftermath of a global viral pandemic. It could be said that it falls outside the "zombie" genre altogether as it deals with the very unfortunate symptoms of the viral disease, which include reanimation of infected persons except for the ones who get shot in the head.

On the other hand (spoilers), there is a good bit that could have been edited out in the series and the whole enterprise would have been improved. Was it really necessary for every interaction with a test to be mentioned? Was it really necessary for every interaction with his cohabitant to be mentioned? Just editing these down into "stipulated" would have made for fewer pages but better overall storytelling and flow.

Again, it was still an enjoyable read. It could have been 5 stars instead of the 4 I've given.

[Octavia Cade · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read and reviewed the three books here separately, so this is really just for my own records. The first two books got three and a half stars each for this; the last got three, and it averages out closer to three than anything else.

I think the worldbuilding, overall, is excellent. It really is outstanding, and it's the kind of systemic approach that I particularly enjoy: zombies are real, they've destroyed large sections of the population, and changes in lifestyle and culture are permanent and widespread. This is especially well-done in the exploration of how news media has changed in this new world.

On the other hand, I also think the books are too long, with elements dragged out to sometimes disappointing (and unsurprising) ends, and the shock of the big death in that first book is undermined by resurrection. It did have some great supporting characters, though.

[Ian Reed · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finished the first book, DNF the second. Plot became convoluted and uninteresting, characters became bland and acted in unrealistic ways. Interpreting the zombie apocalypse through the lens (literally) of a news organization is a concept that was immediately uninteresting to me, but I decided to try to finish anyway. I want to be clear that the last point is NOT a criticism of the author; it was clearly an idea she liked and is certainly unique in zombie fiction, at least to my knowledge. However, a third of the way through the second book I felt the plot was completely losing momentum and I decided to move on. I think Grant is certainly a solid writer from a technical standpoint, and my decision to drop this series would not necessarily preclude me picking up another of her books.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This trilogy was a slightly different take on the zombie tale, taking place 25 years after the dead began to rise and with an emphasis on the bloggers reporting the news for the masses too scared to leave their houses. Politics, conspiracies, and at least a couple of unexpected deaths.

I'd say the first book was my favorite, being that it had an interesting perspective on a post-apocalyptic presidential campaign and a conspiracy that wasn't too outlandish. I didn't think the middle book was as strong, and the villain didn't make a lot of sense to me. The final book had some ridiculous stuff, but once disbelief was suspended or was a fun ride.

[Levi Nash · Rating 1 out of 5]

Someone should tell Miss Grant that there is no deep state and a deep and abiding love of the second amendment is not actually a solution to anything. I wound through the decently, if heavy handed, writing of three books only for it to click into place in the home stretch of the final book: Miss Grant, and people like her, are part of the problem. After reading these books I can understand the level of self righteous delusion required for something like the treasonous Capital Riot on January 7, 2021 because if you would believe Miss Grant, the rioters were only following the beloved protagonists first and final indictment: Rise Up.

I would laugh if it wasn’t all so dangerously stupid.

[Shannon Luchies · Rating 3 out of 5]

The actual SERIES I would rate a 4

This COLLECTION, however,only gets a 3 for several reasons.

a) It's just the original books, re-packaged. There's no reason any existing reader of Mira Grant/Seanan McGuire should get this. I mean... even just including Countdown, the original prelude story, would have helped.

b) The cover is awful. I can't see either Georgia or Shaun wearing that.

The plus side, I suppose, is that it's easier to get this than the original paperbacks. Might be cheaper too.

[Megan M Presbrey · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a long and rough read for me.

It is much more of a young adult style book, which was not appealing.

Way overblown characters. They seem so far out of the box they could be labelled psychotic.

But I think the author has a beautiful sense of writing and language~I hope I see more of that and maybe more maturity in her characters.

Didn’t love this one, but hopeful for the author’s future work

[Elana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm at a loss for words. I didn't find that each book in the entire trilogy had the same impact. Feed blew my mind, Deadline was the least gripping, and Blackout was somewhere in between. All in all, though, wow. Just wow. After my mind recovers from the crazy ride that Mira Grant took it on, I will read Rise and Feedback. Rise up while you can.

[Katrice · Rating 2 out of 5]

This trilogy starts out kinda strong then... meh. I can’t put my finger on what exactly went wrong but it became harder and harder for it to hold my interest.

Think it might be the characters because her world building is excellent. Best bits of this book is when she’s explaining how the world came to be and how it functions now.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story and pace. I enjoyed a different imagining of a zombie-infested world. I found some of the dialogue and plot points to be repetitive- including a few pages in the final book where a main character explains the plot of the previous few chapters to a character that was absent. Not “they caught her up on everything” - it was a FULL plot summary.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first book I didn't enjoy very much. It was more politcal than anything else.The second and third were much better. I thought the third book ended very abruptly, though. Overall, if you're expecting a zombie heavy book, this is not the book for you. It's more focused on politics and science.

[David Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mira Grant (AKA Seanan McGuire) is really a dedicated, great author. All of her books are entertaining, inlcuding this one, THE RISING. Zombie horror is still big, and in the right hands, still entertaining (especially when also turned into a mystery!).