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Rabid Heart
How far would you go for love when all you love is DEAD? Six months after the Necro Rabies pandemic has turned the world into hordes of rabid undead known as "Cujos," 21 year-old Rhonda Driscoll discovers her zombified fiancé, Brad, in her old hometown.Fearing that her Marine Colonel father will kill undead Brad, Rhonda flees, taking a road-trip with Brad in tow in hopes of starting a new life in a frightening and uncertain world complicated by numerous perils, pure horror, joy, heartbreak, and unconditional love.Advance Praise for Rabid Heart“Zombies and the end of days don't stand a chance against true love. Jeremy Wagner's RABID HEART is good, clean apocalyptic fun.”— Alma Katsu, author of THE HUNGER"Just when you think you've heard every love story, along comes RABID HEART. My man Jeremy Wagner proves once again he's as much of a wild man with words as he is with his guitar. This book is sick and sweet, and I say that with respect!" -- Peter Blauner, Ny Times bestselling author of THE INTRUDER and SUNRISE HIGHWAY
258 pages, Paperback
Published August 10, 2018
6 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
About the author
Jeremy Wagner
15 books116 followers“RABID HEART maintains a sharp, persistently moving narrative…an endlessly entertaining zombie tale that checks off genre conventions with style.”
— Kirkus Reviews
"RABID HEART evokes a mix of Misfits lyrics and grainy VHS horror classics. The plot draws parallels to Cormac McCarthy's The Road..."
— Publishers Weekly Author Spotlight
"Zombies and the end of days don't stand a chance against true love. Jeremy Wagner's RABID HEART is good, clean apocalyptic fun."
— Alma Katsu, author of The Hunger
"RABID HEART. This book is sick and sweet, and I say that with respect!"
— Peter Blauner, NY Times bestselling author of The Intruder and Sunrise Highway
"RABID HEART is Wagner’s finest work to date. Exciting and near-addictive. A page-turner that avid horror aficionados will be drawn to with glee.”
— Dead Rhetoric Magazine
“RABID HEART is a next level opus that raises the stakes considerably. And good goddamn, is it a white-knuckle thrill ride.”
— Decibel Magazine
"Wagner debuts with a highly entertaining blend…of heavy metal and hardcore horror…
Electrified by breakneck pacing, a cast of over-the-top characters and memorable lines...this thriller neatly exploits the considerable shared fanbase of apocalyptic fiction and Apocalyptica."
— PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
“THE ARMAGEDDON CHORD is like The Da Vinci Code with a heavy-metal soundtrack!”
— Katherine Turman, Co-author of Louder Than Hell
“Combining the world of heavy metal with malevolent supernatural forces Wagner has created quite a fantastic read… a riveting thriller that is sure to keep readers glued to the pages until the very end…
The unique blending of ancient history, religion and heavy metal make this book unlike any others I have read…. if you're a reader of horror or fiction novels or if you're a musician, then THE ARMAGEDDON CHORD will be right up your alley. I know it kept me up turning pages into the wee hours of the morning.”
— PURE GRAIN AUDIO
“THE ARMAGEDDON CHORD is a quick, enjoyable read full of action, violence, hell-spawned (and human) monsters and original variations of scenarios common to end-time thrillers.
— DECIBEL MAGAZINE
“Jeremy is a pretty impressive dude.”
— PETER STRAUB, New York Times Bestselling Author, A Dark Matter, Ghost Story
“Jeremy Wagner is an up-and-coming voice in the realm of horror fiction.
His talent shines through this debut novel, and I can’t wait to see what his next offering will be.
A real page-turner, THE ARMAGEDDON CHORD strikes just the right note!”
— YASMINE GALENORN, New York Times/USA Today Bestselling Author The Otherworld Series
“THE ARMAGEDDON CHORD is a wild phantasmagoric thrill ride that will satisfy lovers of the darkest fantasy fiction and the heaviest of metal."
—PETER BLAUNER, New York Times Bestselling Author, The Intruder, Slipping Into Darkness
In this youth, Wagner would find himself writing several short stories. The hobby grew with him as he combined his love for stories with his songwriting as guitarist in the band Broken Hope.
He found that he enjoyed writing horror lyrics and that this process helped him become a better writer as a whole. Wagner began writing short stories based on his lyrics, and began to have his stories published. In the mid-'90s, Wagner started writing his first unpublished novels. Through the combination of his writing with his knowledge of music, Wagner came up with the basic idea for THE ARMAGEDDON CHORD.
Wagner has written lyrics to more than 70 published songs along with recording six albums, two MTV videos, and touring in 16 countries with his bands, Broken Hope and Lupara. Wagner has been published in RIP, Terrorizer, Metal Edge, Microhorror magazines and works of short stories through Perseus Books, St. Martin's Press, and Ravenous Romance.
Wagner's most recent published works include the short story, Romance Ain't Dead, which appears as the first story in the zombie-romance anthology Hungry For Your Love (St.
— Kirkus Reviews
"RABID HEART evokes a mix of Misfits lyrics and grainy VHS horror classics. The plot draws parallels to Cormac McCarthy's The Road..."
— Publishers Weekly Author Spotlight
"Zombies and the end of days don't stand a chance against true love. Jeremy Wagner's RABID HEART is good, clean apocalyptic fun."
— Alma Katsu, author of The Hunger
"RABID HEART. This book is sick and sweet, and I say that with respect!"
— Peter Blauner, NY Times bestselling author of The Intruder and Sunrise Highway
"RABID HEART is Wagner’s finest work to date. Exciting and near-addictive. A page-turner that avid horror aficionados will be drawn to with glee.”
— Dead Rhetoric Magazine
“RABID HEART is a next level opus that raises the stakes considerably. And good goddamn, is it a white-knuckle thrill ride.”
— Decibel Magazine
"Wagner debuts with a highly entertaining blend…of heavy metal and hardcore horror…
Electrified by breakneck pacing, a cast of over-the-top characters and memorable lines...this thriller neatly exploits the considerable shared fanbase of apocalyptic fiction and Apocalyptica."
— PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
“THE ARMAGEDDON CHORD is like The Da Vinci Code with a heavy-metal soundtrack!”
— Katherine Turman, Co-author of Louder Than Hell
“Combining the world of heavy metal with malevolent supernatural forces Wagner has created quite a fantastic read… a riveting thriller that is sure to keep readers glued to the pages until the very end…
The unique blending of ancient history, religion and heavy metal make this book unlike any others I have read…. if you're a reader of horror or fiction novels or if you're a musician, then THE ARMAGEDDON CHORD will be right up your alley. I know it kept me up turning pages into the wee hours of the morning.”
— PURE GRAIN AUDIO
“THE ARMAGEDDON CHORD is a quick, enjoyable read full of action, violence, hell-spawned (and human) monsters and original variations of scenarios common to end-time thrillers.
— DECIBEL MAGAZINE
“Jeremy is a pretty impressive dude.”
— PETER STRAUB, New York Times Bestselling Author, A Dark Matter, Ghost Story
“Jeremy Wagner is an up-and-coming voice in the realm of horror fiction.
His talent shines through this debut novel, and I can’t wait to see what his next offering will be.
A real page-turner, THE ARMAGEDDON CHORD strikes just the right note!”
— YASMINE GALENORN, New York Times/USA Today Bestselling Author The Otherworld Series
“THE ARMAGEDDON CHORD is a wild phantasmagoric thrill ride that will satisfy lovers of the darkest fantasy fiction and the heaviest of metal."
—PETER BLAUNER, New York Times Bestselling Author, The Intruder, Slipping Into Darkness
In this youth, Wagner would find himself writing several short stories. The hobby grew with him as he combined his love for stories with his songwriting as guitarist in the band Broken Hope.
He found that he enjoyed writing horror lyrics and that this process helped him become a better writer as a whole. Wagner began writing short stories based on his lyrics, and began to have his stories published. In the mid-'90s, Wagner started writing his first unpublished novels. Through the combination of his writing with his knowledge of music, Wagner came up with the basic idea for THE ARMAGEDDON CHORD.
Wagner has written lyrics to more than 70 published songs along with recording six albums, two MTV videos, and touring in 16 countries with his bands, Broken Hope and Lupara. Wagner has been published in RIP, Terrorizer, Metal Edge, Microhorror magazines and works of short stories through Perseus Books, St. Martin's Press, and Ravenous Romance.
Wagner's most recent published works include the short story, Romance Ain't Dead, which appears as the first story in the zombie-romance anthology Hungry For Your Love (St.
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May 17, 2019Rabid Heart is a hard-to-believe tale of two young kids from the heartland who were on the run together after a harrowing experience. Brad and Rhonda were star-crossed lovers like Romeo and Juliet or the woman who married Frankenstein. After all, there's nothing like the zombie apocalypse to test the bonds of loyalty and affection. Reminiscent of the great horror novels of the Seventies, Rabid Heart is a fun, fast read guaranteed to entertain.
March 21, 2019
Review copy
It's hard to believe it has been more than six years since the release of Jeremy Wagner's last novel, The Armageddon Chord, now out of print and only available on the secondary market. Work with his death-metal band, Broken Hope, has kept him busy, but now he's back with an entertaining new book, Rabid Heart. There's other good news, too. A revised edition of The Armageddon Chord, with a new cover and more, is planned for December 2018.
It's also been a while since I've read a zombie novel and just when I thought I was done with the sub-genre, along comes a story with something different. Sure, there are plenty of undead in this new story, only instead of zombies, they're referred to as Cujos, you know, like that rabid dog in the book by that writer, Koontz, or somebody.
Rhonda Driscoll lives on a military base with her father and base Commander, Colonel Kenneth Driscoll.
“Dead Cujos are the only good Cujos.” Dad waved a fist. “I want every single dead-walking, maggot-breeding, flesh-eating, inhuman, un-American, rot-smelling biped within the range of a bullet, flame-thrower, grenade or any other form of ordnance, DEAD FOR GOOD!”
That's all well and good until Rhonda brings her undead fiance back from a reconnaissance mission.
Here's the thing. I'm not really a love story kinda guy and, as I mentioned, I was getting a bit burned out on zombie stories, but mash-em-up and voila, "winner, winner, chicken dinner." This is not a one-note horror story. There are a number of tangents followed in Rabid Heart which add depth to the overall tale and I can definitely recommend this one for a fun read. Welcome back, Jeremy.
Published by Riverdale Avenue Books, Rabid Heart is available in hardcover, paperback, and e-book formats.
From the author's bio - Jeremy Wagner has written lyrics to hundreds of songs spanning several albums with his international death-metal band, Broken Hope. Aside from his music career, Wagner writes dark fiction and short works full time. His published works include the best-selling debut novel, The Armageddon Chord and a number of short stories.
It's hard to believe it has been more than six years since the release of Jeremy Wagner's last novel, The Armageddon Chord, now out of print and only available on the secondary market. Work with his death-metal band, Broken Hope, has kept him busy, but now he's back with an entertaining new book, Rabid Heart. There's other good news, too. A revised edition of The Armageddon Chord, with a new cover and more, is planned for December 2018.
It's also been a while since I've read a zombie novel and just when I thought I was done with the sub-genre, along comes a story with something different. Sure, there are plenty of undead in this new story, only instead of zombies, they're referred to as Cujos, you know, like that rabid dog in the book by that writer, Koontz, or somebody.
Rhonda Driscoll lives on a military base with her father and base Commander, Colonel Kenneth Driscoll.
“Dead Cujos are the only good Cujos.” Dad waved a fist. “I want every single dead-walking, maggot-breeding, flesh-eating, inhuman, un-American, rot-smelling biped within the range of a bullet, flame-thrower, grenade or any other form of ordnance, DEAD FOR GOOD!”
That's all well and good until Rhonda brings her undead fiance back from a reconnaissance mission.
Here's the thing. I'm not really a love story kinda guy and, as I mentioned, I was getting a bit burned out on zombie stories, but mash-em-up and voila, "winner, winner, chicken dinner." This is not a one-note horror story. There are a number of tangents followed in Rabid Heart which add depth to the overall tale and I can definitely recommend this one for a fun read. Welcome back, Jeremy.
Published by Riverdale Avenue Books, Rabid Heart is available in hardcover, paperback, and e-book formats.
From the author's bio - Jeremy Wagner has written lyrics to hundreds of songs spanning several albums with his international death-metal band, Broken Hope. Aside from his music career, Wagner writes dark fiction and short works full time. His published works include the best-selling debut novel, The Armageddon Chord and a number of short stories.
December 11, 2024
I honestly just struggle with zombie novels
February 28, 2019
I love a good zombie book as much as the next person. I do think Zombies have been a bit over-saturated and this was reminiscent of Warm Bodies and Shaun of the Dead so it's not a new story line. However, in my research, I think I remember seeing this was originally written in 2012 where I think it would've been received slightly better before the full on Zombies started taking over the more modern mainstream.
That being said, I really enjoyed this! In the beginning, I was like WHAT... Rhnnnnddd…. WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! Maybe I don't love enough, but I'm pretty sure if my fiancé turned into a zombie, I'd pop a cap in his head socket and be done with it... and I'd hope he'd do the same for me! But as all tragic love stories go, we love who we love and we want what we want. Just how far would you go to try and save your love? I giggled at the Cujos name along with Deadnut. I'm a child, what can I say. It did make the book seem a bit farcical but I wasn't minding.
What drew me into the story line most was the kids. Oh these precocious kids having to grow up FAST in a zombie filled world. Someone get Ellen all the emblems for her sash! When they entered the story, this is where it shined. I was more worried about them than anyone else.
As the story progressed, I became more involved. I wasn't fully invested but some of these characters... oh boy.. never help a man whose children locked themselves in the trunk. Just saying. Overall, I did enjoy this short ride and adventure with Rhonda. Zombie love stories do hold a place in my heart and I'm glad Wagner brought us his.
3.5 stars
That being said, I really enjoyed this! In the beginning, I was like WHAT... Rhnnnnddd…. WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! Maybe I don't love enough, but I'm pretty sure if my fiancé turned into a zombie, I'd pop a cap in his head socket and be done with it... and I'd hope he'd do the same for me! But as all tragic love stories go, we love who we love and we want what we want. Just how far would you go to try and save your love? I giggled at the Cujos name along with Deadnut. I'm a child, what can I say. It did make the book seem a bit farcical but I wasn't minding.
What drew me into the story line most was the kids. Oh these precocious kids having to grow up FAST in a zombie filled world. Someone get Ellen all the emblems for her sash! When they entered the story, this is where it shined. I was more worried about them than anyone else.
As the story progressed, I became more involved. I wasn't fully invested but some of these characters... oh boy.. never help a man whose children locked themselves in the trunk. Just saying. Overall, I did enjoy this short ride and adventure with Rhonda. Zombie love stories do hold a place in my heart and I'm glad Wagner brought us his.
3.5 stars
October 20, 2018
I like books best when I get a sense that the author really cares for their characters. Rabid Heart is one of those books. It can be a rare find in horror, where there's often a fine line between trying to scare and horrify the audience and trying to punish them with cruelty.
Rhonda's journey is still a brutal fight for survival. Whether it's outsmarting the Marines she lives and works with, battling rabid Cujos, or avoiding the clutches of psycho survivalists, the nerve-wracking action never lets up. And Rhonda is her own breed of badass.
Mixed in with the excitement and tenderness are moments of laugh-out-loud hilarity. There's a bit with a zombie and a cow that I don't want to ruin here, so I'll just leave you with that incomplete image.
If you'd enjoy a classic tale of boy meets girl, boy turns zombie, girl tries desperately to save boy, then Rabid Heart is a book for you.
Rhonda's journey is still a brutal fight for survival. Whether it's outsmarting the Marines she lives and works with, battling rabid Cujos, or avoiding the clutches of psycho survivalists, the nerve-wracking action never lets up. And Rhonda is her own breed of badass.
Mixed in with the excitement and tenderness are moments of laugh-out-loud hilarity. There's a bit with a zombie and a cow that I don't want to ruin here, so I'll just leave you with that incomplete image.
If you'd enjoy a classic tale of boy meets girl, boy turns zombie, girl tries desperately to save boy, then Rabid Heart is a book for you.
July 16, 2019
I am always a little hesitant to read a zombie book nowadays. It seems that there are SO many out there and they all tend to tell similar stories. And when you pair the book industry with our saturtaed TV and film industry with things like Romero's series, The Walking Dead, etc then you can start to see where I am going with this. RABID HEART, however, does NOT fit into any of these categories. It stands out from the zombie stories and zombie lore that we have come to know and made a fresh impression with me. The way Wagner tells this story is so captivating and entertaining. Our main character is a total beast and I need more of her all the time! For those of you who may be burnt out on zombie books, I recommend checking this one out because you will have a renewed sense of faith in the genre and you may even find a new favorite author in the process! 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 on Goodreads!
May 27, 2019
A fast, fun read! I would have liked more character development but I still enjoyed it.
June 4, 2019
Posted on www.kendallreviews.com - March 7, 2019
The novel featured in this review, Rabid Heart , written by Jeremy Wagner and published by Riverdale Books in October 2018, is one of my favorite books that I read last year. The story opens with twenty-one-year-old protagonist, Rhonda Driscoll, a former hair stylist, newly engaged to the love of her life Brad only six months ago, now longs for the days of civilian life, instead, she’s now a soldier in a war against the walking dead, aka ‘Cujos’, and Brad is now one of them. Rhonda was one of the lucky ones, she wouldn’t have made it out alive if it weren’t for her dad, Colonel Kenneth Driscoll, her only living family member and the man in charge of Fort Rocky aka ‘Camp Deadnut’, a Marine Base in North Carolina that is now home to two hundred survivors.
After returning from a firearm and ammo run, Rhoda’s told she and a few of her fellow soldiers are going to Levendale, her hometown, a place she hasn’t been to since this nightmare started, in search of survivors and supplies. Despite her protest, Rhonda is told by Sergeant Harris that she doesn’t have a choice in the matter, being the best artilleryman, or in this case woman, they have. The Colonel warns her, under no circumstances is she to return to the place she and Brad called home, but of course, she does. As you read this love story, you may ask yourself what you would do if the one person, who you planned to spend the rest of your life with, your soul mate, though now a member of the undead, is standing right in front of you; a decision made harder for Rhonda because Brad seems to recognize her.
Rabid Heart is the first book I’ve read by Jeremy Wagner and one I thoroughly enjoyed. I’m a huge fan of zombie movies, novels, and shows that pull me in by way of well-rounded characters and a narrative that rips my heart out at every turn, and Rabid Heart hit the mark. I enjoy tales of horror that have a strong woman as the main character, and after everything Rhonda goes through, fighting the living and the undead, she never appears weak, even in her darkest moments, and I like that.
In closing, if my review or the synopsis of Rabid Heart sparks your interest, then, by all means, take a bite, and delve into the creative mind of the author – you may be surprised what you find lurking within.
The novel featured in this review, Rabid Heart , written by Jeremy Wagner and published by Riverdale Books in October 2018, is one of my favorite books that I read last year. The story opens with twenty-one-year-old protagonist, Rhonda Driscoll, a former hair stylist, newly engaged to the love of her life Brad only six months ago, now longs for the days of civilian life, instead, she’s now a soldier in a war against the walking dead, aka ‘Cujos’, and Brad is now one of them. Rhonda was one of the lucky ones, she wouldn’t have made it out alive if it weren’t for her dad, Colonel Kenneth Driscoll, her only living family member and the man in charge of Fort Rocky aka ‘Camp Deadnut’, a Marine Base in North Carolina that is now home to two hundred survivors.
After returning from a firearm and ammo run, Rhoda’s told she and a few of her fellow soldiers are going to Levendale, her hometown, a place she hasn’t been to since this nightmare started, in search of survivors and supplies. Despite her protest, Rhonda is told by Sergeant Harris that she doesn’t have a choice in the matter, being the best artilleryman, or in this case woman, they have. The Colonel warns her, under no circumstances is she to return to the place she and Brad called home, but of course, she does. As you read this love story, you may ask yourself what you would do if the one person, who you planned to spend the rest of your life with, your soul mate, though now a member of the undead, is standing right in front of you; a decision made harder for Rhonda because Brad seems to recognize her.
Rabid Heart is the first book I’ve read by Jeremy Wagner and one I thoroughly enjoyed. I’m a huge fan of zombie movies, novels, and shows that pull me in by way of well-rounded characters and a narrative that rips my heart out at every turn, and Rabid Heart hit the mark. I enjoy tales of horror that have a strong woman as the main character, and after everything Rhonda goes through, fighting the living and the undead, she never appears weak, even in her darkest moments, and I like that.
In closing, if my review or the synopsis of Rabid Heart sparks your interest, then, by all means, take a bite, and delve into the creative mind of the author – you may be surprised what you find lurking within.
October 9, 2018
There are certain stories in literature that make the reader's heart swell. Usually those stories of true love defying the odds, growth in the spirits of the couple, and making the reader root for them through this journey. There are countless novels that fall into this category, and "Rabid Heart" is a new addition to this canon. The story follows Rhonda and Brad, a couple on the verge of marriage when the zombie apocalypse tore them apart. Rhonda is surviving in relative luxury while Brad is a zombie. Fate brought them back together during one of Rhonda's supply runs, and the heart wants what the heart wants, even if the heart of the man of your dreams is decaying and dead.
Zombie literature of any type insists that the reader suspend belief. People are always on a road trip of some sort, people are all great at shooting zombies in the head, ammo is in endless supply until the hero kills about 100 zombies then they are magically out, and if it is not time for the hero to die, then they will find some sort of creative way out of the situation, usually with another person showing up with perfect timing. "Rabid Heart" is not an exception to this rule, and even it falls into some of these traps, there is still a new twist to the tale. Even with the violence and threatening violence toward women and children, this is a great story with a good main character.
Rhonda is the heroine and genuine good person in the middle of this story. Even though she is young, she understands that Brad is who she is supposed to be with, regardless of his current state. The only thing that I wish is that Brad would have protected her a little bit more and their relationship was more defined post zombificiation. As it is, the characters are great, the action is great, the gore and violence is great, and it is a fun novel to read. I enjoyed it a lot.
I received this as an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Zombie literature of any type insists that the reader suspend belief. People are always on a road trip of some sort, people are all great at shooting zombies in the head, ammo is in endless supply until the hero kills about 100 zombies then they are magically out, and if it is not time for the hero to die, then they will find some sort of creative way out of the situation, usually with another person showing up with perfect timing. "Rabid Heart" is not an exception to this rule, and even it falls into some of these traps, there is still a new twist to the tale. Even with the violence and threatening violence toward women and children, this is a great story with a good main character.
Rhonda is the heroine and genuine good person in the middle of this story. Even though she is young, she understands that Brad is who she is supposed to be with, regardless of his current state. The only thing that I wish is that Brad would have protected her a little bit more and their relationship was more defined post zombificiation. As it is, the characters are great, the action is great, the gore and violence is great, and it is a fun novel to read. I enjoyed it a lot.
I received this as an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
July 31, 2019
A high-octane zombie tale that reads like a Grindhouse movie, this book has heart, humor, plenty of horror, and a badass heroine.
Rabid Heart is the type of horror story that you’ll know almost immediately if you’re going to resonate with or not. It has no pretensions, give zero you-know-whats, and comes out of the gate swinging with all its got.
The story follows Rhonda, who in the post-apcoalypic world has become a gun-toting military girl. But she finds her zombified fiance while looking for supplies and just can’t leave him behind! What follows is their truly mapcap, often strange, and sometimes gross adventure. Rhonda doesn’t really know what’s going to happen in the future (or even in the next ten minutes) but she’s committed to Brad and just wants to be with him, no matter what.
The lawless world is not such a great place though, and there is trouble coming for Rhonda.
Reading this, I just let go and allowed it to take me on its crazy ride. It might not be a perfect narrative, but it is a hell of a lot of fun I just have to suspend my disbelief, sink into the heightened reality of the story, and enjoy the crap out of it.
I am not a huge zombie fan, but I do like to see something different and unique done with this (very played out) genre, and I think Rabid Heart is a fun example of this.
The only thing that I got stuck on was how the characters called the zombies “Cujos”—I just couldn’t get over the weirdness of repurposing the rabid dog from King’s book this way and found it distracting throughout. Zombies are zombies, and I think we’re mostly all OK with that at this point.
This was a Nightworms February 2019 read!
Rabid Heart is the type of horror story that you’ll know almost immediately if you’re going to resonate with or not. It has no pretensions, give zero you-know-whats, and comes out of the gate swinging with all its got.
The story follows Rhonda, who in the post-apcoalypic world has become a gun-toting military girl. But she finds her zombified fiance while looking for supplies and just can’t leave him behind! What follows is their truly mapcap, often strange, and sometimes gross adventure. Rhonda doesn’t really know what’s going to happen in the future (or even in the next ten minutes) but she’s committed to Brad and just wants to be with him, no matter what.
The lawless world is not such a great place though, and there is trouble coming for Rhonda.
Reading this, I just let go and allowed it to take me on its crazy ride. It might not be a perfect narrative, but it is a hell of a lot of fun I just have to suspend my disbelief, sink into the heightened reality of the story, and enjoy the crap out of it.
I am not a huge zombie fan, but I do like to see something different and unique done with this (very played out) genre, and I think Rabid Heart is a fun example of this.
The only thing that I got stuck on was how the characters called the zombies “Cujos”—I just couldn’t get over the weirdness of repurposing the rabid dog from King’s book this way and found it distracting throughout. Zombies are zombies, and I think we’re mostly all OK with that at this point.
This was a Nightworms February 2019 read!
October 7, 2022
I loved this book! It's a love story for the ages and was the perfect Valentine's Day read!
The world has been taken over by Necro Rabies and hordes of zombies (or "Cujos" as they call them after a nod to some guy who writes from Maine😉 ) roam the streets! People who aren't zombies are eating other people to survive the food scarcity! It's madness! Our heroine, Rhonda finds her fiancé turned into a Cujo, but can't bring herself to kill him. Scared that her military father will kill Cujo Brad she sticks a ball gag in Brad's mouth and embarks on a road trip into the unknown to save the love of her life--while putting her own life at risk.
💗
.
Part Shaun of the Dead mixed with iZombie realness, this book is a rollicking good time.
The world has been taken over by Necro Rabies and hordes of zombies (or "Cujos" as they call them after a nod to some guy who writes from Maine😉 ) roam the streets! People who aren't zombies are eating other people to survive the food scarcity! It's madness! Our heroine, Rhonda finds her fiancé turned into a Cujo, but can't bring herself to kill him. Scared that her military father will kill Cujo Brad she sticks a ball gag in Brad's mouth and embarks on a road trip into the unknown to save the love of her life--while putting her own life at risk.
💗
.
Part Shaun of the Dead mixed with iZombie realness, this book is a rollicking good time.
July 24, 2019
I think I can say with confidence that just about everyone has read, watched, at least heard of zombies in our day and age. In this apocalyptic zombie story, Jeremy Wagner brings us something more. Love!
This is a love story that just happens in an altered world. A post-apocalyptic world that’s been infected by a virus. Along with a great female lead and her love for her fiancé who is infected we get adventure, action, killings and the fight to survive. “Love is like zombies...it never dies.” This is a fun, great, enjoyable read!
This is a love story that just happens in an altered world. A post-apocalyptic world that’s been infected by a virus. Along with a great female lead and her love for her fiancé who is infected we get adventure, action, killings and the fight to survive. “Love is like zombies...it never dies.” This is a fun, great, enjoyable read!
October 5, 2018
First, and this is not a criticism, I do want to give a warning for sexual violence and threats of sexual violence. It's not overly graphic or anything, but with the world context when I read it (Kavanaugh hearings) I actually had to take a break from the book for a couple days.
Rhonda definitely makes the book worth the read. At first I was worried I was going to get annoyed with her, but we also spend a decent chunk of the book with her and a zombie who can only say Rhonda, and yet I was not bored. A lot happened and a lot was shown during that time and it was really tense. The zombies, referred to by Rhonda as "Cujos" are not all the same and I think that definitely gave this story an edge.
One of my favorite quotes from Jurassic Park is when Dr. Sattler says, "we can discuss sexism in survival situations when I get back." That went through my head because I think it would have been really easy to write Rhonda as helpless, stupid, or weak. In her mind, of course she's freaking out, but how she acts is tough and assured and I enjoyed that about her character. She never falls apart and it definitely kept me turning the page. Sometimes I didn't understand her, but I was always rooting for her. There were definitely men around her that engaged in sexist behavior and attitudes toward her, but it never stopped her. Some of them also learned the error of their ways regarding underestimating her, or negating the emotions that motivated her.
This book will also make you ask yourself questions about the zombie digestion process that you never knew needed answers. I still don't have them, but I'm thinking about them.
The only downside for me is that the ending felt rushed - there's this insane climax and I wanted just a bit more from the resolution afterward. It was still a good ending that fit the story, I just wanted it to be drawn out a bit more.
Fans of badass heroines, girls with guns, and zombie survival stories, will definitely enjoy this book.
Rhonda definitely makes the book worth the read. At first I was worried I was going to get annoyed with her, but we also spend a decent chunk of the book with her and a zombie who can only say Rhonda, and yet I was not bored. A lot happened and a lot was shown during that time and it was really tense. The zombies, referred to by Rhonda as "Cujos" are not all the same and I think that definitely gave this story an edge.
One of my favorite quotes from Jurassic Park is when Dr. Sattler says, "we can discuss sexism in survival situations when I get back." That went through my head because I think it would have been really easy to write Rhonda as helpless, stupid, or weak. In her mind, of course she's freaking out, but how she acts is tough and assured and I enjoyed that about her character. She never falls apart and it definitely kept me turning the page. Sometimes I didn't understand her, but I was always rooting for her. There were definitely men around her that engaged in sexist behavior and attitudes toward her, but it never stopped her. Some of them also learned the error of their ways regarding underestimating her, or negating the emotions that motivated her.
This book will also make you ask yourself questions about the zombie digestion process that you never knew needed answers. I still don't have them, but I'm thinking about them.
The only downside for me is that the ending felt rushed - there's this insane climax and I wanted just a bit more from the resolution afterward. It was still a good ending that fit the story, I just wanted it to be drawn out a bit more.
Fans of badass heroines, girls with guns, and zombie survival stories, will definitely enjoy this book.
February 25, 2019
I could pick up on Wagner’s passion for this tale, something for which I have great respect. However, the book reads a bit like a rough draft. There’s a scent of a lack of maturity in it all, which I can’t fault Wagner for, as maturing in any art form takes time and practice. However, my issues with the book run from the many unbelievable plot lines, the shallow character development, the antiquated and demeaning description of some little people, to a plethora of typos. It felt as if Wagner imagined what it might be like to be a woman, or a child, etc. But one’s personal experiences and imaginations can only go so far when creating a solid character. I felt more research could have been done to deepen these characters’ personalities. All the characters felt a bit like caricatures rather than people you could really care about.
February 15, 2019
Rabid Heart is a post apocalyptic zombie story with a romantic twist. I'm trying to be positive and I really wanted to like it, but this book fell a bit flat for me. It definitely wasn't boring, I mean, we are talking zombies here! But this story has been told so many times, it just doesn't interest me anymore, which may be why I'm a bit jaded. Too many zombie movies, commercials, books, etc. It seems like media today is flooded with zombies and is struggling to find something new with the zombie trope. I have recently seen an original zombie movie- it can be done, but I regret to say, Jeremy Wagner did not pull it off with this book.
The story begins about six months after a rabies pandemic spreads, at least across a lot of the southern United States. We are not given a lot of detail in this area, but I'll get back to that. Our protagonist is 21 year old Rhonda, who lives now on a military base with her Colonel father and about 200 other survivors. On a recon trip to her old hometown, a soldier tries to sexually assault Rhonda, but to her surprise, her fiancé Brad, who is now a zombie or "Cujos" as they are referred to in the story, comes to her rescue. Brad is more tame than the other Cujos and Rhonda lets her heart take over and brings Brad back to the base, much to everyone's displeasure. Knowing her Dad is going to put Brad out of his misery, Rhonda takes off on a dangerous road trip with Brad to Florida, with no plan in sight. Just a bunch of zombies, rednecks, and other creeps that stand in their way.
Ok, I'm going to try my best not to be negative, but this was a tough read for me. It's a really short book, but I almost DNFed it, and I NEVER do that. The writing was fine and it was fairly fast paced with plenty of action and gore, perfect for every horror fan. So what's my issue? Unoriginal. Zombies-been done. Zombies saving people/zombie love-done- Warm Bodies, Shaun of the Dead. The zombie storyline has been written to death, no pun intended. Plus movies and TV. So if you want to write a book in this sub genre, it better be fucking original. This wasn't for me.
The main character, Rhonda, was very likable. She's a smart ass and a bad ass. Defintely a character to root for. She's smart, but when it comes to Brad, her heart gets in the way of her head. And she makes very stupid decisions along the way because of that. Yet, understandable. She remembers Brad for what he was, not what he is.
The author made a very good decision when introducing the two children when he did. This gave Rhonda hope and determination, which she was beginning to lose for reasons I won't go into. But it brought her a little bit back into reality. She can really help them. She can't help Brad.
The author was vague on how bad this pandemic was and how far ranging. Did it reach the west coast? Has it gone global? And also, we do not get much insight into Brad and Rhonda's post rabies relationship. Nor is it explained why Brad saved Rhonda in the beginning, but why doesn't he come to her aid in multiple situations they confront farther along into the book? These were just a few areas I thought could be explained a bit more.
So, in conclusion, like I said before, this book just wasn't for me. Others might love it, and I'm not discouraging you from reading this. Give it a shot! Seriously, you may love it! Like I said, Jeremy Wagner wrote a solid zombie/love story filled with dark humor, extensive violence, and gore. It's a story about grief, loss, love, and letting go. Rabid Heart is a tale grounded in the typical zombie realm, and that is it's biggest downfall.
The story begins about six months after a rabies pandemic spreads, at least across a lot of the southern United States. We are not given a lot of detail in this area, but I'll get back to that. Our protagonist is 21 year old Rhonda, who lives now on a military base with her Colonel father and about 200 other survivors. On a recon trip to her old hometown, a soldier tries to sexually assault Rhonda, but to her surprise, her fiancé Brad, who is now a zombie or "Cujos" as they are referred to in the story, comes to her rescue. Brad is more tame than the other Cujos and Rhonda lets her heart take over and brings Brad back to the base, much to everyone's displeasure. Knowing her Dad is going to put Brad out of his misery, Rhonda takes off on a dangerous road trip with Brad to Florida, with no plan in sight. Just a bunch of zombies, rednecks, and other creeps that stand in their way.
Ok, I'm going to try my best not to be negative, but this was a tough read for me. It's a really short book, but I almost DNFed it, and I NEVER do that. The writing was fine and it was fairly fast paced with plenty of action and gore, perfect for every horror fan. So what's my issue? Unoriginal. Zombies-been done. Zombies saving people/zombie love-done- Warm Bodies, Shaun of the Dead. The zombie storyline has been written to death, no pun intended. Plus movies and TV. So if you want to write a book in this sub genre, it better be fucking original. This wasn't for me.
The main character, Rhonda, was very likable. She's a smart ass and a bad ass. Defintely a character to root for. She's smart, but when it comes to Brad, her heart gets in the way of her head. And she makes very stupid decisions along the way because of that. Yet, understandable. She remembers Brad for what he was, not what he is.
The author made a very good decision when introducing the two children when he did. This gave Rhonda hope and determination, which she was beginning to lose for reasons I won't go into. But it brought her a little bit back into reality. She can really help them. She can't help Brad.
The author was vague on how bad this pandemic was and how far ranging. Did it reach the west coast? Has it gone global? And also, we do not get much insight into Brad and Rhonda's post rabies relationship. Nor is it explained why Brad saved Rhonda in the beginning, but why doesn't he come to her aid in multiple situations they confront farther along into the book? These were just a few areas I thought could be explained a bit more.
So, in conclusion, like I said before, this book just wasn't for me. Others might love it, and I'm not discouraging you from reading this. Give it a shot! Seriously, you may love it! Like I said, Jeremy Wagner wrote a solid zombie/love story filled with dark humor, extensive violence, and gore. It's a story about grief, loss, love, and letting go. Rabid Heart is a tale grounded in the typical zombie realm, and that is it's biggest downfall.
August 13, 2019
This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 4.0 of 5
I will say right up front that the primary reason I requested this book is because of the great cover. If you grew up enjoying pulp fiction, you will know that often the covers were the doorway to fabulous action and intensity. If you could picture the hero, based on what you saw on the cover, the rest of it was a breeze.
The story here is also pure pulp and Wagner does it very well.
It's been six months since the Necro Rabies pandemic devastated the planet and now the dead walk the earth looking to feed the disease with living human tissue. Rhonda Driscoll is holed up with her Marine colonel father in a fort with a rag-tag band of military personnel keep the 'Cujo's' (the name for the walking dead) out of the fort.
Rhonda has a problem (other than the normal 'the world has gone to hell' problem). Rhonda's fiance, Brad, is a Cujo. But Rhonda is convinced that Brad isn't like all the other diseased dead. He's gentler, calmer, and even manages to growl her name as if he recognizes her. Of course her dad wants Brad dead and buried so that he doesn't rise again.
Left with little choice, Rhonda steals a humvee from the base and talks her way through the front gate, with Brad strapped safely inside the vehicle. Her goal is to get to the Florida coast where she can live happily ever after with Brad and wait for him to come out of his necrosis. (Well, no one said anyone was thinking clearly during such a pandemic.) Along her drive she encounters some non-infected humans who behave worse than the dead, and rescues some children who in turn rescue Rhonda.
This is really a fun book - pure pulp enjoyment. Author Jeremy Wagner keeps the action flowing and gives us a pretty good, kick-ass heroine in Rhonda. She's not super-human like many of the characters on a popular zombie television series, and she makes mistakes that nearly cost her her life. It's this human aspect to her that makes the character appealing - even if she isn't thinking straight.
This really is a great blend of pulp fiction and the popular zombie horror fiction.
Looking for a good book? Rabid Heart by Jeremy Wagner is a modern take on pulp fiction featuring zombies and very real female heroine who tries to find her own way in a wacked-out world. Fans of pulp fiction or horror fiction should definitely buy this!
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
I will say right up front that the primary reason I requested this book is because of the great cover. If you grew up enjoying pulp fiction, you will know that often the covers were the doorway to fabulous action and intensity. If you could picture the hero, based on what you saw on the cover, the rest of it was a breeze.
The story here is also pure pulp and Wagner does it very well.
It's been six months since the Necro Rabies pandemic devastated the planet and now the dead walk the earth looking to feed the disease with living human tissue. Rhonda Driscoll is holed up with her Marine colonel father in a fort with a rag-tag band of military personnel keep the 'Cujo's' (the name for the walking dead) out of the fort.
Rhonda has a problem (other than the normal 'the world has gone to hell' problem). Rhonda's fiance, Brad, is a Cujo. But Rhonda is convinced that Brad isn't like all the other diseased dead. He's gentler, calmer, and even manages to growl her name as if he recognizes her. Of course her dad wants Brad dead and buried so that he doesn't rise again.
Left with little choice, Rhonda steals a humvee from the base and talks her way through the front gate, with Brad strapped safely inside the vehicle. Her goal is to get to the Florida coast where she can live happily ever after with Brad and wait for him to come out of his necrosis. (Well, no one said anyone was thinking clearly during such a pandemic.) Along her drive she encounters some non-infected humans who behave worse than the dead, and rescues some children who in turn rescue Rhonda.
This is really a fun book - pure pulp enjoyment. Author Jeremy Wagner keeps the action flowing and gives us a pretty good, kick-ass heroine in Rhonda. She's not super-human like many of the characters on a popular zombie television series, and she makes mistakes that nearly cost her her life. It's this human aspect to her that makes the character appealing - even if she isn't thinking straight.
This really is a great blend of pulp fiction and the popular zombie horror fiction.
Looking for a good book? Rabid Heart by Jeremy Wagner is a modern take on pulp fiction featuring zombies and very real female heroine who tries to find her own way in a wacked-out world. Fans of pulp fiction or horror fiction should definitely buy this!
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
February 27, 2019
Six months have passed since the Necro Rabies pandemic swept the Earth. Rhonda is now living in a world filled with hordes of rabid undead humans known as “Cujos”. She has thought for these last six months that her fiance, Brad, was lost to her, until she discovers his newly zombified version while out on a supply run in her former hometown. Brad isn’t like all the other Cujos. He seems to want to protect Rhonda and she wants to protect him.
The military base Rhonda currently calls home is run by her Marine Colonel father and his reaction to her returning to camp with her zombie fiance is not what Rhonda was hoping for. In the name of the greater good, the Colonel wants Brad dead. Rhonda can’t imagine losing Brad all over again and sets off on a road-trip into the Cujo-ravaged new world. Can Rhonda create a new life with her undead love?
RABID HEART is a fresh take on the much loved zombie, post-apocalyptic genre. This book is like walking into a horror movie with a fun-loving, campy spirit at heart. You don’t normally think of the words apocalyptic and fun falling in the same sentence, but that’s exactly what this book does!
The main character of Rhonda was mentally prepared to kill any Cujo that might walk into her life until that Cujo was her presumed dead fiance, Brad. Now that her heart can feel again, Rhonda wants to follow it and will stop at nothing to attempt to build a life with Brad. What she finds is herself on a road-trip leading to several near-death experiences. This road trip is filled with exciting, action-packed moments and a cast of characters you’ll love to hate! RABID HEART is easily one of the most fun books I’ve read lately. The pages are filled with gore and dark humor set at a fast pace to keep you on the edge of your seat.
The military base Rhonda currently calls home is run by her Marine Colonel father and his reaction to her returning to camp with her zombie fiance is not what Rhonda was hoping for. In the name of the greater good, the Colonel wants Brad dead. Rhonda can’t imagine losing Brad all over again and sets off on a road-trip into the Cujo-ravaged new world. Can Rhonda create a new life with her undead love?
RABID HEART is a fresh take on the much loved zombie, post-apocalyptic genre. This book is like walking into a horror movie with a fun-loving, campy spirit at heart. You don’t normally think of the words apocalyptic and fun falling in the same sentence, but that’s exactly what this book does!
The main character of Rhonda was mentally prepared to kill any Cujo that might walk into her life until that Cujo was her presumed dead fiance, Brad. Now that her heart can feel again, Rhonda wants to follow it and will stop at nothing to attempt to build a life with Brad. What she finds is herself on a road-trip leading to several near-death experiences. This road trip is filled with exciting, action-packed moments and a cast of characters you’ll love to hate! RABID HEART is easily one of the most fun books I’ve read lately. The pages are filled with gore and dark humor set at a fast pace to keep you on the edge of your seat.
February 21, 2019
4.5 stars, rounding up to 5 for goodreads!
"Love is like zombies...it never dies."
Necro Rabies has wiped out most of the world, turning it into a zombie land for rabid undead "Cujo" zombies. 6 months after the pandemic hit, survivors including Rhonda Driscoll, have started a life of sorts behind the protected walls of Ft Rocky military base, aka "Camp Deadnut," of which Rhonda's father happens to be the colonel of. During a routine sweep and search of her old home town, Rhonda finds her Cujo-fied fiance. Brad seems docile enough, but being a zombie means death. Refusing to have her love killed, Rhonda takes Brad and flees the safety of Camp Deadnut, hoping she can live her life out with her true love. The new world is not kind, and Rhonda soon realizes going through hell for love can get extremely difficult really quick.
How far would you go for true love?
SO MANY TEARS by the end of this!! I had some minor issues with the story (a little too cheesy at times and the characters weren't very deep), but overall loved everything! Brad's love eclipsed everything bad, but Rhonda's pushed her better judgment aside, and honestly, I think this is the perfect metaphor for how fucked love can get. Love can save you, but love can also kill you and fuck your world up. The lengths love makes us go to run on extremes, both good and bad. Rabid Heart shows us both extremes, and does it in such a unique way with the whole rabid zombies thing.
If you like zombies and are also a bit of a sap for romantic shit, this book is perfect for you!
"Love is like zombies...it never dies."
Necro Rabies has wiped out most of the world, turning it into a zombie land for rabid undead "Cujo" zombies. 6 months after the pandemic hit, survivors including Rhonda Driscoll, have started a life of sorts behind the protected walls of Ft Rocky military base, aka "Camp Deadnut," of which Rhonda's father happens to be the colonel of. During a routine sweep and search of her old home town, Rhonda finds her Cujo-fied fiance. Brad seems docile enough, but being a zombie means death. Refusing to have her love killed, Rhonda takes Brad and flees the safety of Camp Deadnut, hoping she can live her life out with her true love. The new world is not kind, and Rhonda soon realizes going through hell for love can get extremely difficult really quick.
How far would you go for true love?
SO MANY TEARS by the end of this!! I had some minor issues with the story (a little too cheesy at times and the characters weren't very deep), but overall loved everything! Brad's love eclipsed everything bad, but Rhonda's pushed her better judgment aside, and honestly, I think this is the perfect metaphor for how fucked love can get. Love can save you, but love can also kill you and fuck your world up. The lengths love makes us go to run on extremes, both good and bad. Rabid Heart shows us both extremes, and does it in such a unique way with the whole rabid zombies thing.
If you like zombies and are also a bit of a sap for romantic shit, this book is perfect for you!
February 15, 2019
Guitarist and founder of the death metal band Broken Hope, Jeremy Wagner, is also a lifelong horror fan and accomplished horror author. His debut novel, THE ARMAGEDDON CHORD, took the genre by storm, and now he's back with his sophomore follow-up, RABID HEART.
Six months ago the world was decimated by Necro-rabies, a nasty virus spread by rats. Anyone bitten turned into a flesh-eating zombie. In a short time the world was overrun by the walking dead, known here as Cujo's, and a small enclave of humanity was trying to survive in a military base. Rhonda Driscolle is one of those survivors. Her dad is the Colonel running the camp. She's heartbroken because she lost the love of her life, Brad, to the plague when the outbreak started. On a routine supply run she finds Brad again, only now he's a Cujo. Going against her better judgment, Rhonda takes Brad and tries to make a run for Florida.
Wagner delivers a gruesome, cinematic B-movie here, sort of a cross between DAY OF THE DEAD and any number of romance films. Rhonda is a likable character and you find yourself rooting for her and her zombie lover, Brad. There's some great set-pieces and the gore flows freely. I'm a big fan of Broken Hope, but I'm an even bigger fan of Wagner's writing. RABID HEART comes highly recommended. Looking forward to reading whatever Wagner writes next.
Six months ago the world was decimated by Necro-rabies, a nasty virus spread by rats. Anyone bitten turned into a flesh-eating zombie. In a short time the world was overrun by the walking dead, known here as Cujo's, and a small enclave of humanity was trying to survive in a military base. Rhonda Driscolle is one of those survivors. Her dad is the Colonel running the camp. She's heartbroken because she lost the love of her life, Brad, to the plague when the outbreak started. On a routine supply run she finds Brad again, only now he's a Cujo. Going against her better judgment, Rhonda takes Brad and tries to make a run for Florida.
Wagner delivers a gruesome, cinematic B-movie here, sort of a cross between DAY OF THE DEAD and any number of romance films. Rhonda is a likable character and you find yourself rooting for her and her zombie lover, Brad. There's some great set-pieces and the gore flows freely. I'm a big fan of Broken Hope, but I'm an even bigger fan of Wagner's writing. RABID HEART comes highly recommended. Looking forward to reading whatever Wagner writes next.
December 31, 2018
Rabid Heart is the story of young love. You know how it goes: girl meets boy, girl and boy fall in love, a zombie outbreak hits, girl loses boy, girl finds boy again, only this time daddy doesn't approve because boy is now a zombie! Like Beauty and the Beast for the horror fans, it's a tale as old as time.
Rhonda is 22 and living at Camp "Deadnut" with her father & other still human survivors of a zombie outbreak six months prior. On a routine scavenger trip of her hometown, she stumbles into a familiar face - her fiancé Brad. The bad news is that he is now a Cujo, this book's term for zombie. We find that Brad isn't as far gone as the others when he protects Rhonda from danger. We follow Rhonda in her struggle to hold onto her lover and any last shred of her previous life.
It was a pretty quick read and held my interest well, despite some weapons details that I don't understand since that's above my paygrade. There were times I was verbally asking "What the fuck, Rhonda?" as I read through, but had to remind myself that a military father means she has the technical know-how to keep herself alive, but at 22 years old, not the life experience of common sense.
Rhonda is 22 and living at Camp "Deadnut" with her father & other still human survivors of a zombie outbreak six months prior. On a routine scavenger trip of her hometown, she stumbles into a familiar face - her fiancé Brad. The bad news is that he is now a Cujo, this book's term for zombie. We find that Brad isn't as far gone as the others when he protects Rhonda from danger. We follow Rhonda in her struggle to hold onto her lover and any last shred of her previous life.
It was a pretty quick read and held my interest well, despite some weapons details that I don't understand since that's above my paygrade. There were times I was verbally asking "What the fuck, Rhonda?" as I read through, but had to remind myself that a military father means she has the technical know-how to keep herself alive, but at 22 years old, not the life experience of common sense.
September 16, 2019
I've been on a zombie hiatus ever since Now I'm back in the Zombie Apocalypse with Jeremy Wagner's Rabid Heart, a tale of young woman and her undead fiance.
Six months after the zombie uprising — they're called "Cujos" here, after that relentless St. Bernard of King lore — a former hairstylist, who is now a gun-toting badass survivalist, runs into her former intended while on a supply run. Why, Brad, you've changed since we last saw each other!
The book turns into a road novel with plenty of action and twice as much gore. It's a very fast, fun read that doesn't take itself too seriously. It was entertaining.
Thanks to NetGalley for a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Six months after the zombie uprising — they're called "Cujos" here, after that relentless St. Bernard of King lore — a former hairstylist, who is now a gun-toting badass survivalist, runs into her former intended while on a supply run. Why, Brad, you've changed since we last saw each other!
The book turns into a road novel with plenty of action and twice as much gore. It's a very fast, fun read that doesn't take itself too seriously. It was entertaining.
Thanks to NetGalley for a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 8, 2025
What the hell? I couldn’t put this book down. I sincerely don’t like zombie stories or anything related to the zombie apocalypse (or any apocalypse for that matter), but this book was amazing. The thing that I most enjoyed was that the author seems to totally understand how ridiculous the entire premise is and rolls with it. The characters are pretty much just caricatures, and it works for this story. It’s like an 80s movie — the characters are not well developed, but it’s fine. I don’t think the purpose was to make this story feel real — it’s just thoroughly entertaining and bizarre.
There are also clearly times where the author just has some zombie-apocalypse-shower-thoughts that he’s like to present, such as the question of whether zombies poop (and if they do, it’s gonna be rank). This was so entertaining and goofy in a dark way.
There are also clearly times where the author just has some zombie-apocalypse-shower-thoughts that he’s like to present, such as the question of whether zombies poop (and if they do, it’s gonna be rank). This was so entertaining and goofy in a dark way.
October 31, 2018
3.5
Picked this up due to the wonderful pulp cover and wasn’t disappointed at all. Bonkers concept that the author pulls off very well. About as much a romance as one could honestly expect when a zombie is involved, Rabid Heart is more of a survival romp through a post-apocalyptic wasteland than anything else – and a rather decent one that.
While there’s little in the way of surprises for fans of the zombie genre, the characters are compelling and the execution is entertaining enough to keep a reader’s interest.
Fun and thrilling read, with a few genuinely disturbing moments. Quick and worthy Halloween story.
This was an ARC in exchange for an honest review. With thanks to Netgalley and Riverdale Avenue Books
Picked this up due to the wonderful pulp cover and wasn’t disappointed at all. Bonkers concept that the author pulls off very well. About as much a romance as one could honestly expect when a zombie is involved, Rabid Heart is more of a survival romp through a post-apocalyptic wasteland than anything else – and a rather decent one that.
While there’s little in the way of surprises for fans of the zombie genre, the characters are compelling and the execution is entertaining enough to keep a reader’s interest.
Fun and thrilling read, with a few genuinely disturbing moments. Quick and worthy Halloween story.
This was an ARC in exchange for an honest review. With thanks to Netgalley and Riverdale Avenue Books
March 1, 2019
Six months ago life was normal but now zombies aka "Cujos" are everywhere. Rhonda is living on a military base run by her father. When out on a supply run she finds her fiance who is dead but not dead. She ends up making a huge decision that leaves some wondering about her sanity. This was a story that shows just how far one person would go for love. I really wasn't expecting a love story involving zombies. It was not full on love but Rhonda does have an undying devotion to her fiance. Rabid Heart also had some intense action scenes that left my heart pounding. It truly did have it all. This was an entertaining, well written, and easy one sit read for me. I do look forward to other books by Jeremy Wagner.
February 15, 2019
Oh to be young and in love...during a zombie apocalypse. This book was exactly what I expected from a zombie book. Military presence, trust no one, always aim for the head. I even expected Rhonda's rash behavior and rebellion against her father. I was not expecting Brad's unexplained behavior. He was not the typical "Cujo" as they are coined in the book. Was it love? What made Brad retain some sliver of his human memory? Was he the only one? Did hold an answer to the Necro Rabies? That does go unanswered. This was a 3.5 stars for me.
December 18, 2018
Rabid Heart is set six months after a zombie outbreak and we follow survivor Rhonda as she is reunited with her fiance...who is now a zombie. It was action-packed and gore-filled, plus it was also surprisingly touching. The last few chapters had me turning the pages as fast as I could to find out what happened. If you're looking for a fun, fast-paced zombie novel I recommend it!
September 25, 2024
What a silly little story, starring a silly character who seems to do nothing but make bad decisions. Kinda hard to root for a someone who seems to be as willfully dumb as she is. Plus, the dialogue is pretty darn amateurish at times. Seems like the author watched Day of the Dead and thought "I can do that!"
July 28, 2018
LOVED this zombie book! It is a great read, particularly if you love zombie books like I do.
November 21, 2018
"If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all."
Just not my thing. Read it, but it was an effort. Cheesy and juvenile.
Might appeal to pubescent boys.
The writing was....well, I can't say anything nice.
So I'll stop here.
Just not my thing. Read it, but it was an effort. Cheesy and juvenile.
Might appeal to pubescent boys.
The writing was....well, I can't say anything nice.
So I'll stop here.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 36 reviews