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State of Emergency
A viral plague. The bloodthirsty undead. Can a teenage zombie movie fan lead her friends to safety when her only knowledge of the outbreak comes from Romero movies?
17-year-old Dallas Langdon has always loved zombie movies. But when she catches a real live (erm, undead) musician eating a man’s intestines backstage after a show, she knows her movies have become a reality. Now, armed with nothing but a giant pizza cutter and a few pairs of safety scissors, Dallas must lead her friends to safety in the mountains...before they develop a taste for human flesh themselves.
Fans of the zombie action of Jonathan Mayberry’s ROT & RUIN as well as the self aware humor of Zombieland and Scream will enjoy this STATE OF EMERGENCY.
17-year-old Dallas Langdon has always loved zombie movies. But when she catches a real live (erm, undead) musician eating a man’s intestines backstage after a show, she knows her movies have become a reality. Now, armed with nothing but a giant pizza cutter and a few pairs of safety scissors, Dallas must lead her friends to safety in the mountains...before they develop a taste for human flesh themselves.
Fans of the zombie action of Jonathan Mayberry’s ROT & RUIN as well as the self aware humor of Zombieland and Scream will enjoy this STATE OF EMERGENCY.
- GenresHorrorYoung AdultZombies
158 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2017
27 people are currently reading
968 people want to read
About the author
Mary Hallberg
14 books30 followersMary Hallberg grew up watching Are You Afraid of the Dark? on Nickelodeon and reading Goosebumps books under the covers. As soon as she was old enough for a Blockbuster card, she graduated to horror classics like Halloween, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and The Evil Dead. She lives in Mississippi, where she’s always hard at work looking for the most effective way to scare her readers.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 22, 2017
Book Reviewed by Nia on www.whisperingstories.com
This is a book has all the traits you’d expect to find in a YA zombie classic – gore, makeshift weapons, teenage bickering and oddly timed romance.
The book lays out very early on what’s going to happen: how the zombie virus is going to progress and where the main characters are going to head to for safety so there’s not many surprises in store, this book is primarily about the journey and the relationships between the characters: Dallas, her friends, her sister Talia and Talia’s boyfriend. These characters aren’t as complex as I would have liked but they do bounce off each other quite well.
The book is very simply written, but I think that’s what makes it enjoyable. The zombies make an appearance early on so you just have to roll with the events as they unfold – like the fact that one of the teenagers knows how to hotwire cars because his dad is a mechanic… there are a few red herrings about the zombies’ behaviour along the way too which I would have liked to have read more about.
This is a fun and entertaining read in the zombie genre and an excellent introduction for new readers to the genre.
This is a book has all the traits you’d expect to find in a YA zombie classic – gore, makeshift weapons, teenage bickering and oddly timed romance.
The book lays out very early on what’s going to happen: how the zombie virus is going to progress and where the main characters are going to head to for safety so there’s not many surprises in store, this book is primarily about the journey and the relationships between the characters: Dallas, her friends, her sister Talia and Talia’s boyfriend. These characters aren’t as complex as I would have liked but they do bounce off each other quite well.
The book is very simply written, but I think that’s what makes it enjoyable. The zombies make an appearance early on so you just have to roll with the events as they unfold – like the fact that one of the teenagers knows how to hotwire cars because his dad is a mechanic… there are a few red herrings about the zombies’ behaviour along the way too which I would have liked to have read more about.
This is a fun and entertaining read in the zombie genre and an excellent introduction for new readers to the genre.
October 23, 2017
Read this review (and others) at: https://literatureislife.com/2017/10/...
State of Emergency was sent to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
State of Emergency finds itself in the zombie sub-genre and that is a tricky place to be. There are only a few routes you can go with a zombie story, basically during the outbreak and after it. This is a during the outbreak story; think more Night of the Living Dead or Shaun of the Dead and less 28 Days Later or The Walking Dead. In recent years, zombies have been popular for horror stories and are a topic that has been done to death. Thankfully, State of Emergency stays a lot fresher than members of the legions of the undead.
At only 158 pages, State of Emergency is a very short book. With that in mind, there was not a ton of page space for character development. That is not to say it is not there and what we do get is good for the book’s length. A small group of teenagers realize everything is going to hell in a handbasket while everyone else is in denial. One of the reasons this story works is because it feels very much like a real-world scenario.
The spread of the zombie virus starts in small, poor communities and largely goes unnoticed by the rest of society. By the time well-off people (and world leaders) realize, “Hey, this is a problem,” it is too late. The infection has already spread far and wide while people think it is a hoax and gears of politics turn too slowly to contain the situation. A big thing that State of Emergency gets right is the emotional dilemma of a zombie outbreak. Even when people become zombies, family and friends will tell themselves they are just sick and will get better. Most people are not going to shrug and shoot grandma in the head because she starts acting a little cannibalistic.
Because State of Emergency was a short book the story almost plays out like a movie. There is only X amount of time for character development and it kind of jumps from scene to scene. Many things in the story are also left open-ended, including the finale. There could easily be a sequel, but it reads fine stand-alone too. The only thing I do not 100% understand is the axe on the cover. The main character fights off zombies with a pizza cutter, not an axe. But I suppose a bloody pizza cutter just is not as intimidating for a cover (or is it?).
State of Emergency was sent to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
State of Emergency finds itself in the zombie sub-genre and that is a tricky place to be. There are only a few routes you can go with a zombie story, basically during the outbreak and after it. This is a during the outbreak story; think more Night of the Living Dead or Shaun of the Dead and less 28 Days Later or The Walking Dead. In recent years, zombies have been popular for horror stories and are a topic that has been done to death. Thankfully, State of Emergency stays a lot fresher than members of the legions of the undead.
At only 158 pages, State of Emergency is a very short book. With that in mind, there was not a ton of page space for character development. That is not to say it is not there and what we do get is good for the book’s length. A small group of teenagers realize everything is going to hell in a handbasket while everyone else is in denial. One of the reasons this story works is because it feels very much like a real-world scenario.
The spread of the zombie virus starts in small, poor communities and largely goes unnoticed by the rest of society. By the time well-off people (and world leaders) realize, “Hey, this is a problem,” it is too late. The infection has already spread far and wide while people think it is a hoax and gears of politics turn too slowly to contain the situation. A big thing that State of Emergency gets right is the emotional dilemma of a zombie outbreak. Even when people become zombies, family and friends will tell themselves they are just sick and will get better. Most people are not going to shrug and shoot grandma in the head because she starts acting a little cannibalistic.
Because State of Emergency was a short book the story almost plays out like a movie. There is only X amount of time for character development and it kind of jumps from scene to scene. Many things in the story are also left open-ended, including the finale. There could easily be a sequel, but it reads fine stand-alone too. The only thing I do not 100% understand is the axe on the cover. The main character fights off zombies with a pizza cutter, not an axe. But I suppose a bloody pizza cutter just is not as intimidating for a cover (or is it?).
October 14, 2017
I received this book in return for a honest review.
New Orleans? Zombies?
How can you possibly go wrong? You can't!
I just want to put it out there that when I read "17-year-old Dallas Langdon is fighting off zombies with a pizza cutter."
I didn't read anything after that because I was already sold. I HAD to read this book and find out just how that would go down. Lol
Though the pizza cutter I thought of were the round home hand held ones with the handles.... Now I'm pretty sure it's those fancy curved ones. Lol my bad!!!
I have never read a zombie book quiet like this before. Other books, when zombies attack, no one knows what they are or even uses the word "zombie" most of the time.
The main character (Dallas) knows everything and anything about zombies and wastes no time becoming the "kill first, ask questions later" girl. Even though she's still a teenager, she seems really mature for her age. Which is rare these days. Lol.
I loved the diversity of the zombies. Walkers, runners, even things being zombies you wouldn't have thought possible. Lol
I really enjoyed this book and will probably reread it 100 more times. Lol
But it did have a few issues. There were a few times things would be going smoothly and it suddenly jumps to something else. Leaves me feeling like I missed something.
The other thing is... It left me with a lot of questions but the main one us how do the zombies still have human qualities like the ones at the "office".
I really wish there was a book two but book one ended so well, I don't want that happy bubble to burst. Lol.
New Orleans? Zombies?
How can you possibly go wrong? You can't!
I just want to put it out there that when I read "17-year-old Dallas Langdon is fighting off zombies with a pizza cutter."
I didn't read anything after that because I was already sold. I HAD to read this book and find out just how that would go down. Lol
Though the pizza cutter I thought of were the round home hand held ones with the handles.... Now I'm pretty sure it's those fancy curved ones. Lol my bad!!!
I have never read a zombie book quiet like this before. Other books, when zombies attack, no one knows what they are or even uses the word "zombie" most of the time.
The main character (Dallas) knows everything and anything about zombies and wastes no time becoming the "kill first, ask questions later" girl. Even though she's still a teenager, she seems really mature for her age. Which is rare these days. Lol.
I loved the diversity of the zombies. Walkers, runners, even things being zombies you wouldn't have thought possible. Lol
I really enjoyed this book and will probably reread it 100 more times. Lol
But it did have a few issues. There were a few times things would be going smoothly and it suddenly jumps to something else. Leaves me feeling like I missed something.
The other thing is... It left me with a lot of questions but the main one us how do the zombies still have human qualities like the ones at the "office".
I really wish there was a book two but book one ended so well, I don't want that happy bubble to burst. Lol.
March 13, 2018
Normally, I'm not a big fan of zombie books, but this one was definitely tasteful. It starts out slow, feeding you bits and pieces to get you hooked. Then it gets fast paced and you don't want to stop reading because you just HAVE to know what happens. What I liked most about this book, was that it focused more on the outbreak than it did on what comes after. No matter where these teens went, no matter how safe they felt, even for just a moment, the outbreak would catch up to them and they would have to fight for their life get again. The real goal for them is to make it to the Uncle's cabin, but can they get there in one piece?
October 29, 2018
Description:
A truck transferring hazardous chemicals crashes in a cemetery and leaks its poison into the water supply. Locals begin to get sick and become violent. Dallas, a teenage girl who dreams of being a singer is with her friends visiting a frenemy who has already acquired her dream of fame when the outbreak occurs. Dallas is one of few people who see the sickness for what it really is, a zombie outbreak. She convinces her friends to flee with her to her uncle’s off-grid self-sustaining farm for safety. They encounter dangers at every turn as they attempt their cross-state road trip, hoping that their families will believe them and also find a way to make it there safe as the outbreak spreads.
“Ashleigh stared at her phone. She looked as if she would rather hang upside down by her toenails than be away from civilization for even a minute, much less a lifetime. Dallas wasn’t sure she agreed.”
In Short:
Overall quick and exciting read. If you like both YA and zombies you’ll want to give this a go. There is a little bit of love story mixed in there that develops slowly and blossoms in the end. If you wish Twilight occurred during a zombie apocalypse this is the book for you.
“Conspirators and comedians alike are referring to the virus as a “zombie outbreak.” A spokesman for the Center for Disease Control and Prevention says they are working “around the clock” to find a cure.”
Pros:
This is a fun read that is full of action, as well as both comedy and tragedy. The cast is a group of teenagers so they seem to let their emotions rule, but they also show true bravery and fight to protect themselves and each other when it matters. I really enjoyed the survival horror elements of the story. The action really was non-stop and the danger was very real for the group. They faced one challenge after another in acquiring food, weapons, transportation, and shelter. This story was very much about the journey and the relationships of the group. The characters were likable and their friendship was admirable. I liked how Dallas, who had worked in the pizza industry, chose a pizza cutter as a weapon when she found one. That was very original. This book is very much based on your classic zombies rising from the dead story but with a twist. Not only is it centered around a cast of teen characters but it takes place in the early days of a zombie outbreak showing what it’s like before the world has gone full on dystopian and the deaths are contained to a small ground zero, slowly spreading out. I liked the news reports that came in at the beginning of many of the chapters showing how the outside world was faring, and the general public’s opinion on the “zombie conspiracy.” The news clippings were both entertaining and added a sense of realism to this world.
“This isn’t just about zombies, and it isn’t about your own ego. This is about survival. And we have to work together if we’re going to survive.
Cons:
I really enjoyed this book I just didn’t love the ending. I don’t want to spoil it so I’ll just say I felt part of the romance evolved too quickly. There was also a foreboding doom that ended up being resolved a little quicker and easier than I expected. Due to the short nature of this book some things just happened too quickly.
“You can’t live until you survive, and you can’t survive if you don’t try.”
Parent’s Guide:
Sexual innuendo and kissing, but nothing too graphic on screen. Violence, and gore typical of zombie books.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
A truck transferring hazardous chemicals crashes in a cemetery and leaks its poison into the water supply. Locals begin to get sick and become violent. Dallas, a teenage girl who dreams of being a singer is with her friends visiting a frenemy who has already acquired her dream of fame when the outbreak occurs. Dallas is one of few people who see the sickness for what it really is, a zombie outbreak. She convinces her friends to flee with her to her uncle’s off-grid self-sustaining farm for safety. They encounter dangers at every turn as they attempt their cross-state road trip, hoping that their families will believe them and also find a way to make it there safe as the outbreak spreads.
“Ashleigh stared at her phone. She looked as if she would rather hang upside down by her toenails than be away from civilization for even a minute, much less a lifetime. Dallas wasn’t sure she agreed.”
In Short:
Overall quick and exciting read. If you like both YA and zombies you’ll want to give this a go. There is a little bit of love story mixed in there that develops slowly and blossoms in the end. If you wish Twilight occurred during a zombie apocalypse this is the book for you.
“Conspirators and comedians alike are referring to the virus as a “zombie outbreak.” A spokesman for the Center for Disease Control and Prevention says they are working “around the clock” to find a cure.”
Pros:
This is a fun read that is full of action, as well as both comedy and tragedy. The cast is a group of teenagers so they seem to let their emotions rule, but they also show true bravery and fight to protect themselves and each other when it matters. I really enjoyed the survival horror elements of the story. The action really was non-stop and the danger was very real for the group. They faced one challenge after another in acquiring food, weapons, transportation, and shelter. This story was very much about the journey and the relationships of the group. The characters were likable and their friendship was admirable. I liked how Dallas, who had worked in the pizza industry, chose a pizza cutter as a weapon when she found one. That was very original. This book is very much based on your classic zombies rising from the dead story but with a twist. Not only is it centered around a cast of teen characters but it takes place in the early days of a zombie outbreak showing what it’s like before the world has gone full on dystopian and the deaths are contained to a small ground zero, slowly spreading out. I liked the news reports that came in at the beginning of many of the chapters showing how the outside world was faring, and the general public’s opinion on the “zombie conspiracy.” The news clippings were both entertaining and added a sense of realism to this world.
“This isn’t just about zombies, and it isn’t about your own ego. This is about survival. And we have to work together if we’re going to survive.
Cons:
I really enjoyed this book I just didn’t love the ending. I don’t want to spoil it so I’ll just say I felt part of the romance evolved too quickly. There was also a foreboding doom that ended up being resolved a little quicker and easier than I expected. Due to the short nature of this book some things just happened too quickly.
“You can’t live until you survive, and you can’t survive if you don’t try.”
Parent’s Guide:
Sexual innuendo and kissing, but nothing too graphic on screen. Violence, and gore typical of zombie books.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
December 22, 2017
A teen concert goes horribly awry when a shocking zombie virus is unleashed, and one teenage girl must lead her friends towards safety with only a pizza cutter as a weapon. Can the teens survive the zombie apocalypse? Find out in author Mary Hallberg's State of Emergency. Here's the synopsis:
17-year-old Dallas Langdon is fighting off zombies with a pizza cutter.
Dallas has always loved zombie movies. But when she catches a real live (erm, dead) musician eating a man’s intestines backstage after the show, she knows her movies have become a reality. And what do characters in zombie movies do? Seek shelter. Fortunately, Dallas's eccentric uncle owns a farmhouse in Chattanooga, an eight hour drive from New Orleans. It’s on top of a steep mountain, surrounded by electric fences, and cut off from the worlds of the living and the dead.
Dallas’s parents, still safe at home, laugh at her idea over the phone. Her friends only agree to join her because it’s fall break and they could use a mini vacation anyway.
But then Dallas’s best friend is killed by a zombie horde when they’re attracted to her ringing cell phone. Civilians think their reanimated loved ones simply have the flu, leaving them alive (well, undead) and rapidly increasing the zombies ranks. And since minors can’t buy guns, Dallas’s only weapon is a giant industrial pizza cutter she swipes from a gas station. George A. Romero never mentioned anything like this. With one friend dead and no zombie survival guides to help her, Dallas and her friends must get to Chattanooga before joining the ranks of the undead themselves.
This was a quick yet action packed read. Think of it like the Walking Dead meets the Young Adult genre, and you'll get an idea of what State of Emergency is all about. The book was very well written, with a memorable group of characters and a unique take on the zombie apocalypse narrative. What really drew me into the story was the fact that unlike most books or movies, the story focused on the beginning of the outbreak rather than a world already ravaged by the virus. It did an excellent job of showcasing how people react differently to the events of the novel. Some communities are oblivious to the virus, while others are ravaged by the horrors of the undead. It reminded me a little bit of Stephen King's The Stand, which the first few hundred pages focused on the virus that left most of the world dead, (except this had way more zombies and less good vs. evil stories).
Overall this was a wonderful read. Full of a complicated narrative that explores the beginning of the zombie apocalypse from a teenagers point of view, the story is relateable and full of heart that fans of both zombie stories and YA fans will connect with instantly. This is a book not to miss, so be sure to pick up your copies of State of Emergency by Mary Hallberg today!
17-year-old Dallas Langdon is fighting off zombies with a pizza cutter.
Dallas has always loved zombie movies. But when she catches a real live (erm, dead) musician eating a man’s intestines backstage after the show, she knows her movies have become a reality. And what do characters in zombie movies do? Seek shelter. Fortunately, Dallas's eccentric uncle owns a farmhouse in Chattanooga, an eight hour drive from New Orleans. It’s on top of a steep mountain, surrounded by electric fences, and cut off from the worlds of the living and the dead.
Dallas’s parents, still safe at home, laugh at her idea over the phone. Her friends only agree to join her because it’s fall break and they could use a mini vacation anyway.
But then Dallas’s best friend is killed by a zombie horde when they’re attracted to her ringing cell phone. Civilians think their reanimated loved ones simply have the flu, leaving them alive (well, undead) and rapidly increasing the zombies ranks. And since minors can’t buy guns, Dallas’s only weapon is a giant industrial pizza cutter she swipes from a gas station. George A. Romero never mentioned anything like this. With one friend dead and no zombie survival guides to help her, Dallas and her friends must get to Chattanooga before joining the ranks of the undead themselves.
This was a quick yet action packed read. Think of it like the Walking Dead meets the Young Adult genre, and you'll get an idea of what State of Emergency is all about. The book was very well written, with a memorable group of characters and a unique take on the zombie apocalypse narrative. What really drew me into the story was the fact that unlike most books or movies, the story focused on the beginning of the outbreak rather than a world already ravaged by the virus. It did an excellent job of showcasing how people react differently to the events of the novel. Some communities are oblivious to the virus, while others are ravaged by the horrors of the undead. It reminded me a little bit of Stephen King's The Stand, which the first few hundred pages focused on the virus that left most of the world dead, (except this had way more zombies and less good vs. evil stories).
Overall this was a wonderful read. Full of a complicated narrative that explores the beginning of the zombie apocalypse from a teenagers point of view, the story is relateable and full of heart that fans of both zombie stories and YA fans will connect with instantly. This is a book not to miss, so be sure to pick up your copies of State of Emergency by Mary Hallberg today!
October 17, 2017
Time taken to read - < 1 day
Pages - 158
Publisher - Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
Source - Author (review request)
Blurb from Goodreads
17-year-old Dallas Langdon is fighting off zombies with a pizza cutter.
Dallas has always loved zombie movies. But when she catches a real live (erm, dead) musician eating a man’s intestines backstage after the show, she knows her movies have become a reality. And what do characters in zombie movies do? Seek shelter. Fortunately, Dallas's eccentric uncle owns a farmhouse in Chattanooga, an eight hour drive from New Orleans. It’s on top of a steep mountain, surrounded by electric fences, and cut off from the worlds of the living and the dead.
Dallas’s parents, still safe at home, laugh at her idea over the phone. Her friends only agree to join her because it’s fall break and they could use a mini vacation anyway.
But then Dallas’s best friend is killed by a zombie horde when they’re attracted to her ringing cell phone. Civilians think their reanimated loved ones simply have the flu, leaving them alive (well, undead) and rapidly increasing the zombies ranks. And since minors can’t buy guns, Dallas’s only weapon is a giant industrial pizza cutter she swipes from a gas station. George A. Romero never mentioned anything like this. With one friend dead and no zombie survival guides to help her, Dallas and her friends must get to Chattanooga before joining the ranks of the undead themselves.
My Review
New Orleans is the place and Dallas is our main character, opening with her sister and small town sensation Tatum. Tatum is making it big as a singer, the press can't get enough of her and Dallas is pretty fed up. Going from teenage angst to the start of a zombie apocalypse we follow Dallas and her friends as they try to convince people it is happening to travelling to a place of safety.
I went back and forth on this being 3.5 to a 4 star rating, I went for 4 stars as we have the origins of the outbreak which is new for me. We follow the very beginning and slow spread of panic to the realization of what is upon them. The protagonist has a very different kind of weapon, a pizza cutter, just to be clear, I initially thought it was the wee circular one we use however it is the curved blade one, quite different!
It is a small read at only 158 pages and I felt we could have had much much more, I have messaged the author to see if there are any more coming in the series, I do hope so. The characters, there wasn't any I connected with, probably because they are teens although I liked the idea of the uncle and would love to hear his story.
The book covers many issues, teen angst, death, survival, relationships and a few darker themes as well as zombies. I can't give a warning to the darker topic without spoiling but anyone who likes or reads zombies novels has a general feel for what they cover. 4/5 for me this time, thanks to the author for introducing me to her work.
Pages - 158
Publisher - Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
Source - Author (review request)
Blurb from Goodreads
17-year-old Dallas Langdon is fighting off zombies with a pizza cutter.
Dallas has always loved zombie movies. But when she catches a real live (erm, dead) musician eating a man’s intestines backstage after the show, she knows her movies have become a reality. And what do characters in zombie movies do? Seek shelter. Fortunately, Dallas's eccentric uncle owns a farmhouse in Chattanooga, an eight hour drive from New Orleans. It’s on top of a steep mountain, surrounded by electric fences, and cut off from the worlds of the living and the dead.
Dallas’s parents, still safe at home, laugh at her idea over the phone. Her friends only agree to join her because it’s fall break and they could use a mini vacation anyway.
But then Dallas’s best friend is killed by a zombie horde when they’re attracted to her ringing cell phone. Civilians think their reanimated loved ones simply have the flu, leaving them alive (well, undead) and rapidly increasing the zombies ranks. And since minors can’t buy guns, Dallas’s only weapon is a giant industrial pizza cutter she swipes from a gas station. George A. Romero never mentioned anything like this. With one friend dead and no zombie survival guides to help her, Dallas and her friends must get to Chattanooga before joining the ranks of the undead themselves.
My Review
New Orleans is the place and Dallas is our main character, opening with her sister and small town sensation Tatum. Tatum is making it big as a singer, the press can't get enough of her and Dallas is pretty fed up. Going from teenage angst to the start of a zombie apocalypse we follow Dallas and her friends as they try to convince people it is happening to travelling to a place of safety.
I went back and forth on this being 3.5 to a 4 star rating, I went for 4 stars as we have the origins of the outbreak which is new for me. We follow the very beginning and slow spread of panic to the realization of what is upon them. The protagonist has a very different kind of weapon, a pizza cutter, just to be clear, I initially thought it was the wee circular one we use however it is the curved blade one, quite different!
It is a small read at only 158 pages and I felt we could have had much much more, I have messaged the author to see if there are any more coming in the series, I do hope so. The characters, there wasn't any I connected with, probably because they are teens although I liked the idea of the uncle and would love to hear his story.
The book covers many issues, teen angst, death, survival, relationships and a few darker themes as well as zombies. I can't give a warning to the darker topic without spoiling but anyone who likes or reads zombies novels has a general feel for what they cover. 4/5 for me this time, thanks to the author for introducing me to her work.
April 22, 2018
This is one zombie story that never gave me nightmares during the sleepless nights that followed.
Yes, the plot revolves around a girl's tryst with zombies, or rather the zombie virus, unleashed in her city. It shows how she escapes and how she deals with the ups and downs that come her way. For more input, do read the story.
The narrative is fast paced and thats the best part about this story. You wont be able to put the book down without finishing it. Mary does have a distinct writing style. She injects portions where at times a reader ends up with a "have I missed something" kind of feeling. I felt it was an apt way of keeping the reader involved at every step. There were loads of imageries. Sometimes some scenes had the ability to psych you out as well. There is violence, there are dead men and women walking, but that is exactly how a zombie story is supposed to be. The language is simple and easy to understand.
There are a set of important characters alongwith the protagonist. Though there is no particular feature of a character per se that stands out, however, all of them together make for an amazing hunt and chase story.
The state of emergency ends on a positive note thereby reiterating the feeling that all is well that ends well. This story does give loads of things to mull over. Are we really turning into zombies in the real world thanks to our addiction to technology? Is humanity waning away? Why are people turning so animalistic? Has the zombie virus released in the real world too? Few questions my brain asked me to which I am yet to find the answer.
To sum up, I wish there is a sequel to this story because I feel there could be more in store. Mary is an amazing writer and this amazingly excellent story is a must read, especially for those interested in paranormal and zombies.
P.S - Thanks a ton Mary for a zombie story that definitely gave me loads of food for thought. This review is my honest opinion after reading the story.
Yes, the plot revolves around a girl's tryst with zombies, or rather the zombie virus, unleashed in her city. It shows how she escapes and how she deals with the ups and downs that come her way. For more input, do read the story.
The narrative is fast paced and thats the best part about this story. You wont be able to put the book down without finishing it. Mary does have a distinct writing style. She injects portions where at times a reader ends up with a "have I missed something" kind of feeling. I felt it was an apt way of keeping the reader involved at every step. There were loads of imageries. Sometimes some scenes had the ability to psych you out as well. There is violence, there are dead men and women walking, but that is exactly how a zombie story is supposed to be. The language is simple and easy to understand.
There are a set of important characters alongwith the protagonist. Though there is no particular feature of a character per se that stands out, however, all of them together make for an amazing hunt and chase story.
The state of emergency ends on a positive note thereby reiterating the feeling that all is well that ends well. This story does give loads of things to mull over. Are we really turning into zombies in the real world thanks to our addiction to technology? Is humanity waning away? Why are people turning so animalistic? Has the zombie virus released in the real world too? Few questions my brain asked me to which I am yet to find the answer.
To sum up, I wish there is a sequel to this story because I feel there could be more in store. Mary is an amazing writer and this amazingly excellent story is a must read, especially for those interested in paranormal and zombies.
P.S - Thanks a ton Mary for a zombie story that definitely gave me loads of food for thought. This review is my honest opinion after reading the story.
October 23, 2017
Mary Hallberg’s State of Emergency gets characterization down right. It feels a lot like a meme I once read about playing D&D (the one with what we think it’ll be like and a pic of heroes from Lord of the Rings compared to what it’s really like: the cast from Monty Python and the Holy Grail.) State of Emergency is a far cry from Walking Dead, and that’s a good thing. There are way too many clones out there and this is a breath of fresh air in the zombie genre.
While Dallas fighting off zombies with a pizza cutter might sound like we’re headed in straight-up Shaun of the Dead territory, it’s not quite an overt comedy, but it has its moments. Maybe I’d call it a blend of Walking Dead and Scott Burtness’s Monsters in the Midwest series.
The book is peppered with fun references if you’re a fan of the genre. Then again, maybe it’s just me, but there seem to be seamless little Easter eggs hidden though the book as nods to other great zombie and undead stories, (like how Dallas calls Ashleigh, Ash and Dallas’s name seems to draw from Zombieland’s nomenclature.)
It is a fun read and not nearly as heavy as I am Legends or the like—and though it has a teenage protagonist it didn’t feel as angsty and whiny as most YA stories have trended in recent years… I appreciated that.
If you’re up for a Halloween read this fall, consider picking up a copy. I got mine for free in exchange for an honest review.
While Dallas fighting off zombies with a pizza cutter might sound like we’re headed in straight-up Shaun of the Dead territory, it’s not quite an overt comedy, but it has its moments. Maybe I’d call it a blend of Walking Dead and Scott Burtness’s Monsters in the Midwest series.
The book is peppered with fun references if you’re a fan of the genre. Then again, maybe it’s just me, but there seem to be seamless little Easter eggs hidden though the book as nods to other great zombie and undead stories, (like how Dallas calls Ashleigh, Ash and Dallas’s name seems to draw from Zombieland’s nomenclature.)
It is a fun read and not nearly as heavy as I am Legends or the like—and though it has a teenage protagonist it didn’t feel as angsty and whiny as most YA stories have trended in recent years… I appreciated that.
If you’re up for a Halloween read this fall, consider picking up a copy. I got mine for free in exchange for an honest review.
November 13, 2017
First things first, this is a zombie book. By far my favourite genre of books (if it can be considered its own separate genre). When I do get brief moments at school when I decide paying attention is for people going somewhere in life I like to reread a variety of different zombie novels. If there's anything I've learned from studying them it's that to stand out among the many out there it has to be unique. And this book is unique in the way that it draws off the classic zombie story.
Let me tell you about it:
Dallas is just your normal teenage girl. She's in high school and dreams of being a singer when she grows up. Her and her younger sister, faithful church goers, are visiting an old friend who had achieved their dream years ago in New Orleans. Dallas and her stopped getting along when she became power hungry and abandoned her friends, rubbing it in that she had reached her dream first.
It is while they are visiting that they hear news about a chemical truck that overturned near a cemetery. Their friend shows up with a cup of water she got from the cemetery there and her friends all instruct her not to drink it.
Despite there being a boil water warning in the area many people are not taking it seriously. It doesn't take Dallas long to realize that maybe there is more to it than the news is leading on.
When she walks in on her old friend a zombie, eating her agent, she doesn't hesitate to aim for the head. Despite her friends' hesitation she drag them across the state, insisting that they make it to her uncles fortress house in the mountains.
For the first few days everything continues as normal and her friends start to doubt that she was telling the truth. And when the dead finally do come, they come in great numbers, taking them all by surprise. They are left limping across the rest of the states, fleeing from the hordes that chase them relentlessly.
It's a race against the undead clock as they try to get to her Uncles house, where her parents are hopefully waiting. Sadly, not all her friends will be able to make it, and those who do will never be the same again.
This book's main problem is actually the opposite of most books; it's too short. Everything happens way too fast in some parts and at a perfect speed in other parts. I think this book could have been way better if it were drawn out a bit and things didn't just happen. There was also elements introduced to the story that I felt could have been explored a lot more.
That being said, I did like a lot of this book. The parts that were a little more drawn out, such as the scene from the freeway, were very enjoyable to read. The characters may not have always been the most clever, I called many things right from the beginning that didn't come into play until the end, but it is possible in such a situation that they might not have been thinking clearly.
Let me tell you about it:
Dallas is just your normal teenage girl. She's in high school and dreams of being a singer when she grows up. Her and her younger sister, faithful church goers, are visiting an old friend who had achieved their dream years ago in New Orleans. Dallas and her stopped getting along when she became power hungry and abandoned her friends, rubbing it in that she had reached her dream first.
It is while they are visiting that they hear news about a chemical truck that overturned near a cemetery. Their friend shows up with a cup of water she got from the cemetery there and her friends all instruct her not to drink it.
Despite there being a boil water warning in the area many people are not taking it seriously. It doesn't take Dallas long to realize that maybe there is more to it than the news is leading on.
When she walks in on her old friend a zombie, eating her agent, she doesn't hesitate to aim for the head. Despite her friends' hesitation she drag them across the state, insisting that they make it to her uncles fortress house in the mountains.
For the first few days everything continues as normal and her friends start to doubt that she was telling the truth. And when the dead finally do come, they come in great numbers, taking them all by surprise. They are left limping across the rest of the states, fleeing from the hordes that chase them relentlessly.
It's a race against the undead clock as they try to get to her Uncles house, where her parents are hopefully waiting. Sadly, not all her friends will be able to make it, and those who do will never be the same again.
This book's main problem is actually the opposite of most books; it's too short. Everything happens way too fast in some parts and at a perfect speed in other parts. I think this book could have been way better if it were drawn out a bit and things didn't just happen. There was also elements introduced to the story that I felt could have been explored a lot more.
That being said, I did like a lot of this book. The parts that were a little more drawn out, such as the scene from the freeway, were very enjoyable to read. The characters may not have always been the most clever, I called many things right from the beginning that didn't come into play until the end, but it is possible in such a situation that they might not have been thinking clearly.
November 2, 2017
This book is great for teens who love zombies. The main characters in the story are 16 and 17 years old. Dallas and Talia are sisters and they are with their friends to see a friend Tatum perform, sing in a club. There is a accident and chemicals go into the drinking water. A boil water emergency notice went out in the town. Tatum was at the accident and got thirsty and drank from the cemetery facet.
The water will give you a deadly virus that kills you or puts you into a coma and when you come back to life, well let’s just say that you are not you anymore. You crave flesh, organs and will do anything to get it. People are in denial and thinks it is all a joke. But Dallas and her friend Sam, watched Tatum eat her manager and go after them. It’s no joke!
Knowing getting out of town is the best thing, the friends head to Dallas Uncle’s house high up in the Tennessee mountains. The story tells how they survive, fight off the living dead and how friends are lost. It tells how the virus spreads and how fast. They figure out facts about zombies along the way, but when one of them becomes one, that is all thrown out the window. Can they make it to Dallas’s Uncles alive?
I enjoyed this story a lot. It was a fun read and I think teens would enjoy it. This author, Mary Hallberg is a new to me and I wouldn’t mind exploring some of her other work sometime.
The water will give you a deadly virus that kills you or puts you into a coma and when you come back to life, well let’s just say that you are not you anymore. You crave flesh, organs and will do anything to get it. People are in denial and thinks it is all a joke. But Dallas and her friend Sam, watched Tatum eat her manager and go after them. It’s no joke!
Knowing getting out of town is the best thing, the friends head to Dallas Uncle’s house high up in the Tennessee mountains. The story tells how they survive, fight off the living dead and how friends are lost. It tells how the virus spreads and how fast. They figure out facts about zombies along the way, but when one of them becomes one, that is all thrown out the window. Can they make it to Dallas’s Uncles alive?
I enjoyed this story a lot. It was a fun read and I think teens would enjoy it. This author, Mary Hallberg is a new to me and I wouldn’t mind exploring some of her other work sometime.
May 21, 2018
Dallas is at a concert with friends when the first zombie shows up. After all the movies she has seen, she decides to travel with her friends to her Uncle's place in Tennessee, just in case. The virus spreads, and soon Dallas and her friends are in a race to save themselves.
I have to say that I have not read many books about zombies. I have seen the movies and the shows but just haven't read that much on the subject. I have to say this story was surprisingly good. It was fast paced and intense and kept me reading. I honestly hated to put it down. Dallas and her friends are in high school, and so they are young and on their own when the world falls apart. The characters were very relatable and fun to follow. It was packed full of teenage drama and being mixed with the "end of the world" stuff it was a roller coaster of a read. I have to say Dallas, and her pizza cutter turned weapon was great. This story also mentions my hometown and so hey, it got my vote!
This story was written well. It kept me interested from page one. It was fast paced and a quick read. It was full of drama and had tons of action. Like I said before, I haven't read many stories about zombies, and so this one stood out for me. It was a crazy and wild ride from the start. I will say that I think this could be an excellent series.
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I have to say that I have not read many books about zombies. I have seen the movies and the shows but just haven't read that much on the subject. I have to say this story was surprisingly good. It was fast paced and intense and kept me reading. I honestly hated to put it down. Dallas and her friends are in high school, and so they are young and on their own when the world falls apart. The characters were very relatable and fun to follow. It was packed full of teenage drama and being mixed with the "end of the world" stuff it was a roller coaster of a read. I have to say Dallas, and her pizza cutter turned weapon was great. This story also mentions my hometown and so hey, it got my vote!
This story was written well. It kept me interested from page one. It was fast paced and a quick read. It was full of drama and had tons of action. Like I said before, I haven't read many stories about zombies, and so this one stood out for me. It was a crazy and wild ride from the start. I will say that I think this could be an excellent series.
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September 15, 2017
** DISCLAIMER - I was sent this book in return for an honest review. This did not affect my rating. **
3.2 **
STORY 4/5 (I'm not a huge fan of zombies but I really enjoyed the premise here. I also liked how we saw the very beginning of the outbreak instead of months or years in. It was just a unique perspective.)
CHARACTERS 3/5 (They were only ok. I could tell that the point was to get to know these people and care for them but I never felt like I learned anything about them other than likes and dislikes.)
WRITING 2.5/5 (My least favorite part. It was generic and stunted and I just couldn't get past that. It was pretty distracting to me.)
UNIQUENESS 3.5/5 (Like I said earlier I felt like watching the outbreak progress was interesting. They were other elements likes weapons they used that were also pretty unique. Other than that it was just zombies.)
ENJOYMENT 3/5 (Despite the writing I still really liked this book and was often engrossed in the story. The ending made me dock a few enjoyment points though.)
3.2 **
STORY 4/5 (I'm not a huge fan of zombies but I really enjoyed the premise here. I also liked how we saw the very beginning of the outbreak instead of months or years in. It was just a unique perspective.)
CHARACTERS 3/5 (They were only ok. I could tell that the point was to get to know these people and care for them but I never felt like I learned anything about them other than likes and dislikes.)
WRITING 2.5/5 (My least favorite part. It was generic and stunted and I just couldn't get past that. It was pretty distracting to me.)
UNIQUENESS 3.5/5 (Like I said earlier I felt like watching the outbreak progress was interesting. They were other elements likes weapons they used that were also pretty unique. Other than that it was just zombies.)
ENJOYMENT 3/5 (Despite the writing I still really liked this book and was often engrossed in the story. The ending made me dock a few enjoyment points though.)
February 24, 2018
A teen zombie novel that focuses on the outbreak, rather than the aftermath. If you mixed Mike Mullin's teen survival book, "Ashfall," with "Night of the Living Dead," you would get this book. Five teens practically witness the birth of the outbreak, when a pop-star starts eating her crew. An overturned semi leaks toxins into the water and the outbreak starts slow, but seems to follow the teenagers where-ever they go. Every-time they think they're safe, a hoard catches up with them. At first only Dallas and Sam truly grasp what's going on, but soon their companions agree that this is more than a passing sickness, this is a full blown zombie attack. They decide to go to Dallas' Uncles cabin retreat which is surrounded by fences and operates on solar power. They could definitely survive the apocalypse there they think. The only problem is trying to get there in one piece! A quick, readable teen book full of hilarity, adventure, and death.
February 16, 2018
Just like modern day zombie movies, this book is the simple story of a teenager and her friends trying to get away from zombies before they are eaten or become zombies themselves. The writing is simple and organized. There is humor and gore. The book is all about the escape, but also about the relationships between the group of teens. The characters have distinct personalities, but I would have liked to have seen them developed a bit more to add some meat to the book. The author lets the reader know how the zombies came about which I really liked, but other than that it is basically just the group trying to get someplace safe. It is a short, quick, entertaining read (if you are into zombies).
October 8, 2017
This book was an amazingly good read.
It started off really well and it made me want to read more.
At the end of the first chapter, I wanted to read more. Near the end, I didn't want to read the rest because of what happened to one of the characters, but I finished reading it anyway I needed to find out more and what happened next and at the end, I thought it was sweet.
I believe that there should be more books to continue this book.
I would definitely read this again and again.
It started off really well and it made me want to read more.
At the end of the first chapter, I wanted to read more. Near the end, I didn't want to read the rest because of what happened to one of the characters, but I finished reading it anyway I needed to find out more and what happened next and at the end, I thought it was sweet.
I believe that there should be more books to continue this book.
I would definitely read this again and again.
November 4, 2017
State of Emergency was a free read off of amazon. The plot of the story was very interesting but sadly fell flat. I love how the zombies showed up quick in the book but hated how the teenagers left their parents behind and saved themselves. How selfish and irritating.
Review by Untold thoughts Book Blog
Review by Untold thoughts Book Blog
September 7, 2017
So this book is actually 3.5 and would be more but for a couple of things. 1) a dog dies, nope just nope. 2) it gets a little preachy. Other than that it is a really good book and would have been a solid 4.0 but you lose points for dead pets.
April 27, 2018
A zombie apocolypes told from a teenager's point of view. With a some what happy ending. I enjoyed reading this.
March 13, 2018
3.5
I received a copy of this novel in return for an honest review
I am kind of sick of zombies, there I said it. However, when the author requested a review I was intrigued and so I gave it a chance.
This story is simple. Teenagers try to get away from zombies before they get eaten. However, the tale was spun with humor, action, and suspense and is all about how they are trying to get away from said zombies.
I would have liked al little more time spent on character development, but the world building was solid.
This book focus more on the outbreak than what happens after wards, which made it different than other zombies books I have read.
This was a quick and easy read, but quite entertaining
Like this? Find More at
I received a copy of this novel in return for an honest review
I am kind of sick of zombies, there I said it. However, when the author requested a review I was intrigued and so I gave it a chance.
This story is simple. Teenagers try to get away from zombies before they get eaten. However, the tale was spun with humor, action, and suspense and is all about how they are trying to get away from said zombies.
I would have liked al little more time spent on character development, but the world building was solid.
This book focus more on the outbreak than what happens after wards, which made it different than other zombies books I have read.
This was a quick and easy read, but quite entertaining
Like this? Find More at
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