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What Remains #1
Sickness
What will you do when the sickness comes knocking?
Kit Easton had struggled her entire life. Things couldn’t possibly have gotten any worse for her… until the day they did. Her mother was dying, her husband had long ago become the enemy, they were down to their last dime, and her daughter had distanced herself to avoid everyone and everything.
When Kit’s sister takes their mother to New York for what is supposed to be a revolutionary, life-saving cure, a disaster no one could have predicted strikes. But it isn’t just Kit’s family that is affected, it rocks the entire world.
Now, with nothing but the help of a neighbor she barely knows, Kit must venture out into the dangerous new world in search of her family. Will she be able to find them before it’s too late?
Kit Easton had struggled her entire life. Things couldn’t possibly have gotten any worse for her… until the day they did. Her mother was dying, her husband had long ago become the enemy, they were down to their last dime, and her daughter had distanced herself to avoid everyone and everything.
When Kit’s sister takes their mother to New York for what is supposed to be a revolutionary, life-saving cure, a disaster no one could have predicted strikes. But it isn’t just Kit’s family that is affected, it rocks the entire world.
Now, with nothing but the help of a neighbor she barely knows, Kit must venture out into the dangerous new world in search of her family. Will she be able to find them before it’s too late?
220 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2019
About the author
Kellee L. Greene
87 books97 followersKellee L. Greene is a stay-at-home mom to two super awesome and wonderfully sassy children. She loves to read, draw, and spend time with her family when she's not writing. Writing and having people read her books has been a long time dream of hers and she's excited to write more. Her favorite genres are Fantasy and Sci-fi. Kellee lives in Wisconsin with her husband, two kids, and two cats.
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Official website: www.kelleelgreene.com
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Twitter: www.twitter.com/kelleelgreene
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
May 20, 2025
A zombie novel without bite.
At first I thought this one was going to be pretty solid but the longer it went on the more committed the author seemed to be to avoid actual zombie action on the part of her talking "zombies". There was also which was very convenient for that one character to be kept whole and innocent, this kind of overly convenient situations was repeated in various forms throughout the book and it was profoundly eye-roll inducing.
At first I thought this one was going to be pretty solid but the longer it went on the more committed the author seemed to be to avoid actual zombie action on the part of her talking "zombies". There was also which was very convenient for that one character to be kept whole and innocent, this kind of overly convenient situations was repeated in various forms throughout the book and it was profoundly eye-roll inducing.
February 9, 2020
Gosh Sickness
I started reading this fantastic book and I couldn’t put it down. Kellee Greene is a great story writer. Fantastic
I started reading this fantastic book and I couldn’t put it down. Kellee Greene is a great story writer. Fantastic
September 27, 2019
Loved it!
Wow, just like always, Kellee L. Green just jumps right in and captures your undivided attention and doesn't let it go for one minute. Can't wait for book 2!
Wow, just like always, Kellee L. Green just jumps right in and captures your undivided attention and doesn't let it go for one minute. Can't wait for book 2!
February 9, 2020
Not worth the time
Every character in this book is totally insufferable. There is no character development for anyone, and we have to wildly guess at their motives. The timeline is shaky at best. I have no idea if I'm supposed to like anyone.
Every character in this book is totally insufferable. There is no character development for anyone, and we have to wildly guess at their motives. The timeline is shaky at best. I have no idea if I'm supposed to like anyone.
January 16, 2020
Fast Read
This was a great read that left me wanting more. The characters are real. Their fight is real. Awesome story line
This was a great read that left me wanting more. The characters are real. Their fight is real. Awesome story line
April 27, 2026
An outstanding start to an outbreak series!
Sickness, book 1 in the What Remains Series, introduces to a world in which a virus designed to cure cancer mutates and infects the vast majority of people infected and/or dead. The rules surrounding what it takes to kill an infected individual, permanently, are still being established. Some seem to die like humans, others like zombies, keeping the reader on their toes! The writing is of the level any fan of Greene will appreciate, with the characters being the highlight, but that doesn't imply there is anything wrong with any other aspect of the book. Overall, 5/5 stars, highly recommended for fans of apocalyptic survival thrillers and outbreak thrillers!!
Sickness, book 1 in the What Remains Series, introduces to a world in which a virus designed to cure cancer mutates and infects the vast majority of people infected and/or dead. The rules surrounding what it takes to kill an infected individual, permanently, are still being established. Some seem to die like humans, others like zombies, keeping the reader on their toes! The writing is of the level any fan of Greene will appreciate, with the characters being the highlight, but that doesn't imply there is anything wrong with any other aspect of the book. Overall, 5/5 stars, highly recommended for fans of apocalyptic survival thrillers and outbreak thrillers!!
November 6, 2020
Interesting book
Good read very interesting, I can wait to read the others in the series, Thank you for this kindle read.
Good read very interesting, I can wait to read the others in the series, Thank you for this kindle read.
January 1, 2026
Sickness is a post-apocalyptic survival novel centred around the outbreak of a deadly illness that quickly destabilises society. As the world begins to fall apart, the story follows a small group of survivors trying to navigate fear, infection, and the breakdown of social order. The novel explores familiar genre themes such as trust, survival, and how people react when the structures of everyday life disappear.
On paper, this book really should have worked for me. I enjoy post-apocalyptic fiction and horror, and the premise itself is solid. However, the execution didn’t quite land. I found the story very predictable, which was particularly noticeable as I was listening to this on Audible alongside reading another post-apocalyptic book that handled similar ideas far more effectively.
The characters were my biggest issue. I found the main character genuinely insufferable, and the side character who is very clearly positioned as a potential love interest wasn’t much better. Instead of feeling compelling or complex, they both grated on me, which made it difficult to stay invested in the story.
Another frustration was the overuse of the word “said” throughout the dialogue. It became extremely noticeable, especially in longer conversations, to the point where it pulled me out of the story. I’m not against using “said” at all, but here it felt repetitive and distracting, and I couldn’t stop noticing it once it started bothering me.
Overall, the book felt very flat and very “meh.” It wasn’t terrible, but it also wasn’t particularly engaging. I can absolutely see how this would appeal to a lot of readers, especially those newer to the horror or post-apocalyptic genre, but because I read so much in this space, my expectations are probably a bit higher. For me, this just didn’t hit enough of the right notes.
While this book was fine overall, it wasn’t strong enough to make me want to continue the series. The predictability and lack of connection to the characters meant it didn’t leave much of an impression. It’s a shame, because the premise had potential, but it just wasn’t the start to the year I was hoping for and not a series I plan to continue.
On paper, this book really should have worked for me. I enjoy post-apocalyptic fiction and horror, and the premise itself is solid. However, the execution didn’t quite land. I found the story very predictable, which was particularly noticeable as I was listening to this on Audible alongside reading another post-apocalyptic book that handled similar ideas far more effectively.
The characters were my biggest issue. I found the main character genuinely insufferable, and the side character who is very clearly positioned as a potential love interest wasn’t much better. Instead of feeling compelling or complex, they both grated on me, which made it difficult to stay invested in the story.
Another frustration was the overuse of the word “said” throughout the dialogue. It became extremely noticeable, especially in longer conversations, to the point where it pulled me out of the story. I’m not against using “said” at all, but here it felt repetitive and distracting, and I couldn’t stop noticing it once it started bothering me.
Overall, the book felt very flat and very “meh.” It wasn’t terrible, but it also wasn’t particularly engaging. I can absolutely see how this would appeal to a lot of readers, especially those newer to the horror or post-apocalyptic genre, but because I read so much in this space, my expectations are probably a bit higher. For me, this just didn’t hit enough of the right notes.
While this book was fine overall, it wasn’t strong enough to make me want to continue the series. The predictability and lack of connection to the characters meant it didn’t leave much of an impression. It’s a shame, because the premise had potential, but it just wasn’t the start to the year I was hoping for and not a series I plan to continue.
March 12, 2020
I am at 39% of the book and am really really struggling.
The writing is good, the story as well BUT the female character ... she is a lazy woman and the opposite of smart and courageous.
She is a bloody doormat and dependent on other people, which she takes so far to even remain unhappy, humiliated and degraded because she can’t do nothing on her own.
A piss poor and miserable idol for her daughter.
I can’t even tell you how low I rank those kind of characters...and am definitely not interested in reading about it, no matter how interesting the storyline.
And sentences like this one, don’t make it any easier:
...”The door opened and a man with a chiseled face opened the door.”....
Right.
I need a break from this book, if I ever will pick it up again.
I made it to 71% and now I am done with it.
The language and thought process is lacking stimulation and intelligence. The social competence is none existent. They struggled with petty childish problems it was boring.
And then there was the main discrepancy of what they were saying and doing.
She doesn’t need anyone but hasn’t planned or prepared anything. Not looking up the address on a map, getting protection, packing a bag for a survival and rescue trip, working out how to get there and back without attracting too much attention, not knowing how the infected react and what their abilities are. Nothing. But we get lots of talk of how she can manage that all, whatever it is.
Then there is the talk the men do, about planning and preparing everything beforehand, when in actuality they also did nothing. But stare out a window and discussing childish emotional hormone fused problems a teenager would experience and not grown up people.
The plot was interesting in theory, the characters boring and immature, while actually nothing much happens at all besides an amateur dash in the wide open towards the house opposite Blake’s. Wow!!!
Sigh, no recommendation from me.
The writing is good, the story as well BUT the female character ... she is a lazy woman and the opposite of smart and courageous.
She is a bloody doormat and dependent on other people, which she takes so far to even remain unhappy, humiliated and degraded because she can’t do nothing on her own.
A piss poor and miserable idol for her daughter.
I can’t even tell you how low I rank those kind of characters...and am definitely not interested in reading about it, no matter how interesting the storyline.
And sentences like this one, don’t make it any easier:
...”The door opened and a man with a chiseled face opened the door.”....
Right.
I need a break from this book, if I ever will pick it up again.
I made it to 71% and now I am done with it.
The language and thought process is lacking stimulation and intelligence. The social competence is none existent. They struggled with petty childish problems it was boring.
And then there was the main discrepancy of what they were saying and doing.
She doesn’t need anyone but hasn’t planned or prepared anything. Not looking up the address on a map, getting protection, packing a bag for a survival and rescue trip, working out how to get there and back without attracting too much attention, not knowing how the infected react and what their abilities are. Nothing. But we get lots of talk of how she can manage that all, whatever it is.
Then there is the talk the men do, about planning and preparing everything beforehand, when in actuality they also did nothing. But stare out a window and discussing childish emotional hormone fused problems a teenager would experience and not grown up people.
The plot was interesting in theory, the characters boring and immature, while actually nothing much happens at all besides an amateur dash in the wide open towards the house opposite Blake’s. Wow!!!
Sigh, no recommendation from me.
May 12, 2020
Read: May 13, 2020
Rating: 2,5 Stars
This was okay, the virus and the infected were pretty tame so far and that, coupled with the fact that there is a loooong period of nothing much happening, made it a little mild? for a post-apocalyptic story.
The infected ad the same kinda vibe as zombies but were not as aggressive or dangerous in the whole attack way.
I did not hate this, the story isn't bad, but this is not for me.
Rating: 2,5 Stars
This was okay, the virus and the infected were pretty tame so far and that, coupled with the fact that there is a loooong period of nothing much happening, made it a little mild? for a post-apocalyptic story.
The infected ad the same kinda vibe as zombies but were not as aggressive or dangerous in the whole attack way.
I did not hate this, the story isn't bad, but this is not for me.
June 21, 2024
This is the first book in the four book series. You must read them in order to understand what is going on. I felt this probably could have been just one large book considering the genre. I like the plot and am interested in finding out how this story develops. The characters are good, and I look forward to their development, too. I normally enjoy watching zombie movies more than reading them, but I think I might enjoy reading this one.
July 12, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyable read.
I very much enjoyed this book. It had a different premise to others in the genre, which was refreshing.
Wished it had been a little longer, but I’m looking forward to reading the next instalment.
I very much enjoyed this book. It had a different premise to others in the genre, which was refreshing.
Wished it had been a little longer, but I’m looking forward to reading the next instalment.
February 28, 2022
I woulda killed Freddy the first time he told me to get in the kitchen, and I like cooking.
February 24, 2024
Not great
I wanted to like this, but it’s a bit of a train wreck.
It could have used better editing (proofreading for the extra words and weird formatting; developmental edits for the poor characterization, lack of motivation/ development of secondary characters and the rushed ending). I hated the main character, Kit, she was literally too weak/stupid to love, and trying to build a romance with a neighbor who killed her abusive husband mid way through the book left me cringing. Kit literally had zero redeeming qualities that made me want to root for her. She was by turns, a doormat, an absent mother, a manipulator and so unaffected by her abusive husband’s death that it was weird. I think the author worked far too hard to make Freddie a villain (he was practically a stereotype) and not hard enough to make me care about her heroine.
And trying to create a romance between her and the strange neighbor who shot the abusive husband was just…weird. Awkward, uncomfortable. Cringey. And really made the main character look shallow and superficial.
There were several problems with time and distance between cities and within the ‘small’ town that were problematic for me and felt very contrived. The ‘big reveal’ at the end wasn’t any big surprise because it was pretty glaring when no one was stepping over him when they went back for supplies.
Beta readers should have caught a lot of this, so overall, for me this missed the mark. The book received two stars because it is complete and coherent.
I wanted to like this, but it’s a bit of a train wreck.
It could have used better editing (proofreading for the extra words and weird formatting; developmental edits for the poor characterization, lack of motivation/ development of secondary characters and the rushed ending). I hated the main character, Kit, she was literally too weak/stupid to love, and trying to build a romance with a neighbor who killed her abusive husband mid way through the book left me cringing. Kit literally had zero redeeming qualities that made me want to root for her. She was by turns, a doormat, an absent mother, a manipulator and so unaffected by her abusive husband’s death that it was weird. I think the author worked far too hard to make Freddie a villain (he was practically a stereotype) and not hard enough to make me care about her heroine.
And trying to create a romance between her and the strange neighbor who shot the abusive husband was just…weird. Awkward, uncomfortable. Cringey. And really made the main character look shallow and superficial.
There were several problems with time and distance between cities and within the ‘small’ town that were problematic for me and felt very contrived. The ‘big reveal’ at the end wasn’t any big surprise because it was pretty glaring when no one was stepping over him when they went back for supplies.
Beta readers should have caught a lot of this, so overall, for me this missed the mark. The book received two stars because it is complete and coherent.
December 5, 2023
It was super boring but the zombies were interesting enough for me to get to the ending. Felt like i wasted my time. Kit doesn't feel like a 30 or 40-something mother, she just feels like a typical mid 20s woman that happens to have a teen daughter.
Whitney was super annoying. The love interest and his brother are okay, but boring. The daughter got over pretty quickly.
I want my wasted time back. But I'll check out the second book to see if it's any better.
Whitney was super annoying. The love interest and his brother are okay, but boring. The daughter got over pretty quickly.
I want my wasted time back. But I'll check out the second book to see if it's any better.
June 10, 2020
Decent read
Barely any mention of the infected description wise and next to no encounters with them at all apart from driving by and a couple of brief physical encounters that were a few lines long at most, at least 90% of the story was devoted to reminding the reader the main character suffered from domestic violence which is fine to build up a character ls back story but not an entire book almost
Barely any mention of the infected description wise and next to no encounters with them at all apart from driving by and a couple of brief physical encounters that were a few lines long at most, at least 90% of the story was devoted to reminding the reader the main character suffered from domestic violence which is fine to build up a character ls back story but not an entire book almost
April 23, 2024
This was an unexpected pleasure from the audio plus catalogue. So good immediately went onto next book.
The characters were relatable and worked for me and more importantly with the plot.
I liked the narration
The characters were relatable and worked for me and more importantly with the plot.
I liked the narration
March 5, 2020
Terrible characters and pacing.
September 9, 2023
Excellent story. Love the characters.
July 30, 2024
This is the 1st fmc book of this type I've read. Great start to a series
April 17, 2025
2,5⭐️
December 30, 2025
zombie apocalypse stories need these strong female characters.
July 30, 2026
Sickness
A cancer “curing” virus mutates. The Author takes us through the opening days of the pandemic. What can possibly go wrong?
A cancer “curing” virus mutates. The Author takes us through the opening days of the pandemic. What can possibly go wrong?
August 1, 2026
A cancer “curing” virus mutates. The Author takes us through the opening days of the pandemic. What can possibly go wrong?
December 3, 2019
Boring!!
Don't waste your time with this book. not even gonna read the nx one.
A lot of mistakes. Alot of repeating. It's just annoying and boring
Don't waste your time with this book. not even gonna read the nx one.
A lot of mistakes. Alot of repeating. It's just annoying and boring
October 27, 2019
Hmmm yes and no
Kit: and Maddie. They will l die because their stupidity. Going to drive to Maine over 1100 miles battling the sick and the violent survivors.
Whitney. Hateful. Self centered. Nasty.
The brothers. The peacekeepers. The prepared. The level headed.
The title says this is a survival thriller. It is hard to read a book where the main characters are dense and this side of killing themselves.
I enjoyed the book but some of the characters need to think before they talk.
Kit: and Maddie. They will l die because their stupidity. Going to drive to Maine over 1100 miles battling the sick and the violent survivors.
Whitney. Hateful. Self centered. Nasty.
The brothers. The peacekeepers. The prepared. The level headed.
The title says this is a survival thriller. It is hard to read a book where the main characters are dense and this side of killing themselves.
I enjoyed the book but some of the characters need to think before they talk.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews