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Deadweight
It was hailed as the answer to the obesity epidemic; a pill that allows you to eat anything you like and still lose weight. Millions were attracted by the promise of a leaner, fitter body, but there was a fatal and unforeseen flaw in this new panacea.A tiny microbe, lurking within, slowly infects the users. In turn they pass the infection to others with a sneeze, a cough or a simple kiss, and before long tens of millions are infected and turned into mindless, shambling wrecks, with the sole purpose of existing to eat. The virus is rampant, reaching into every corner of the globe. Governments collapse and shut down, unable to contain the outbreak, while the army works hard against the unending assault in a desperate bid to stop the dead from total victory. But there are even greater dangers to be faced. A few unfortunate souls suffer with the hunger of the dead but the mind of the living. They are neither dead nor alive, but something in between; something far more dangerous to the surviving humans. And amidst this carnage of the end of the world, in the south east of England, a small group of survivors are fighting on, against all the odds, as they try to stay one step in front of the dead, trying to avoid being the next item on the menu.The question is, in a world now claimed by the dead, what will they have to do to survive?
294 pages, Paperback
Published October 28, 2019
217 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
April 11, 2025
This book started out strong. I quite liked the initial POVs but as the story went on things got rough and unpolished.
I liked the idea of this book, a miracle weight loss drug causes the zombie apocalypse (fatphobia kills, y'all).
Spoilers ahead. There are different kinds of infected people in the story going from infected but fully conscious to the more traditional zombie. People who took the drug (some of them at least) turned into the intelligent kind of "zombies" and these passed the virus on through sexual contact and then it went on to be passed the normal zombie way. Except from at the start we mostly only see only one of the smart infected people and for some reason she has some measure of control over the regular infected (someone watched too much Z Nation). At some point scientists observe a grey substance growing on the brain of a recently infected subject, after that it becomes a thing, like the infected saliva is grey suddenly?
I liked the idea of a more global story told in slices from multiple POVs but I feel like we spent too much time in the "camps" on stuff that just was rendered rather ineffective by the writing style.
I liked the idea of this book, a miracle weight loss drug causes the zombie apocalypse (fatphobia kills, y'all).
Spoilers ahead. There are different kinds of infected people in the story going from infected but fully conscious to the more traditional zombie. People who took the drug (some of them at least) turned into the intelligent kind of "zombies" and these passed the virus on through sexual contact and then it went on to be passed the normal zombie way. Except from at the start we mostly only see only one of the smart infected people and for some reason she has some measure of control over the regular infected (someone watched too much Z Nation). At some point scientists observe a grey substance growing on the brain of a recently infected subject, after that it becomes a thing, like the infected saliva is grey suddenly?
I liked the idea of a more global story told in slices from multiple POVs but I feel like we spent too much time in the "camps" on stuff that just was rendered rather ineffective by the writing style.
March 26, 2025
4.5 🌟 rounded up for Goodreads.
You can’t trust people when everything goes to shit. You don’t want to be relying on people you don’t know.
I've had this book on my Kindle since 2023. I snagged it when it was a freebie on Amazon. Yesterday, I was scrolling through my Kindle and finally decided to get into it. It was one of the best decisions I made yesterday.
I am a huge fan of all things zombie. The gore, the fall of civilization, the fear, the chaos, the depravity humans resort to in the last days. This book captures all that in the best way possible. The book is written well, the pacing is great, and the characters are well crafted. Even the ones you love to hate.
I like how the book allows us to get a taste of the normal world, then the events leading up to the infection and finally the outbreak and ultimate fall of society. The fresh take on how the infection started was also stellar and unique. Zombie movies/ books can be repetitive and a bit over saturated. So, creating a new way in which the plague begins was brilliant. I didn't expect the carnage that I got with this one. I thought it would've been more censored, but I was very pleasantly surprised at how graphic it got. It made me feel uneasy as I never knew what would happen next.
Every perspective from each character was interesting, and the story flowed seamlessly. The ending did lose me a little bit, but other than that, I was blown away by this hidden gem that I found on my Kindle. I will definitely be purchasing the second book in this series.
You can’t trust people when everything goes to shit. You don’t want to be relying on people you don’t know.
I've had this book on my Kindle since 2023. I snagged it when it was a freebie on Amazon. Yesterday, I was scrolling through my Kindle and finally decided to get into it. It was one of the best decisions I made yesterday.
I am a huge fan of all things zombie. The gore, the fall of civilization, the fear, the chaos, the depravity humans resort to in the last days. This book captures all that in the best way possible. The book is written well, the pacing is great, and the characters are well crafted. Even the ones you love to hate.
I like how the book allows us to get a taste of the normal world, then the events leading up to the infection and finally the outbreak and ultimate fall of society. The fresh take on how the infection started was also stellar and unique. Zombie movies/ books can be repetitive and a bit over saturated. So, creating a new way in which the plague begins was brilliant. I didn't expect the carnage that I got with this one. I thought it would've been more censored, but I was very pleasantly surprised at how graphic it got. It made me feel uneasy as I never knew what would happen next.
Every perspective from each character was interesting, and the story flowed seamlessly. The ending did lose me a little bit, but other than that, I was blown away by this hidden gem that I found on my Kindle. I will definitely be purchasing the second book in this series.
November 9, 2024
Typical zombie book just with a different spin on how it started. Decent to be honest, not the best but worth reading. Next one here I come.
May 1, 2025
Originally, I would give this a 3⭐️ rating, but I have an insane migraine today and the beginning of this just made my head hurt worse. It was quite tedious..
In short, I had high expectations and they were not met. 🙄
In short, I had high expectations and they were not met. 🙄
March 1, 2021
Pleasant find!
After finishing another zombie series I found a lot of other books of this type not as gripping but I came across this and found the storyline quite intriguing as a new diet pill the cause of the zombie apocalypse.
With a few shocks of some characters finding their end and a take on the zombies side of the story had me reading to the end!
Some areas needed refinement but other than that it was a pleasant find!
After finishing another zombie series I found a lot of other books of this type not as gripping but I came across this and found the storyline quite intriguing as a new diet pill the cause of the zombie apocalypse.
With a few shocks of some characters finding their end and a take on the zombies side of the story had me reading to the end!
Some areas needed refinement but other than that it was a pleasant find!
April 13, 2020
I felt like there was a lot going on that it Was a little hard to get into but once I started going I was hooked. liked the characters but not so much the ending
A good story overall but alot of unanswered questions and misunderstandings I didn’t get??
A good story overall but alot of unanswered questions and misunderstandings I didn’t get??
April 17, 2020
A lot of grammatical errors for a published book. The story jumped around but came together in the end with a twist. Good read and quick but hard to ignore the grammar errors.
September 22, 2023
When a new weight-loss pill comes onto the market no one thinks too much of it. Obesity is a global epidemic and millions of people are looking for a quick pill to make themselves thinner. And this pill becomes extremely popular as it proves to work perfectly in everyone – millions all over the world are quickly losing weight no matter what they eat. But no one knows that the microbe that’s being used in this
pill quickly becomes infectious through a cough, a sneeze, and soon the whole world becomes infected.
I found this to be a really well written and scarily believable book. I think some readers mightn’t like how a lot of the start of this book flips between the present – after the zombies are out there – and how the research and science behind the pills was discovered and let loose. I personally didn’t mind this jumping back and forth because I feel the author has done an amazing job in thinking through the background of the pill and making a really interesting, logical and believable plotline behind it. I felt this really set up the story as a whole and it was such a different spin on the whole “zombie apocalypse” thing that I really enjoyed it.
I also enjoyed how the past and present came together and then merged into the rest of the story. Readers who enjoy longer running series like Walking Dead and Last Of Us should find that this book really fills a gap that these series can leave behind. I found the main characters relatable and interestingly drawn and most importantly for me I found the plot to be gripping and interesting. There are a few sex scenes in this book and while there is some gore it’s kept to a fairly low level to my mind and neither overtakes the story. I would mainly declare this an intricately plotted zombie apocalypse style of book with a fair bit of action and a really good plotline.
Readers looking for an interesting and freshly written zombie-style end of the world book should find this a good read.
pill quickly becomes infectious through a cough, a sneeze, and soon the whole world becomes infected.
I found this to be a really well written and scarily believable book. I think some readers mightn’t like how a lot of the start of this book flips between the present – after the zombies are out there – and how the research and science behind the pills was discovered and let loose. I personally didn’t mind this jumping back and forth because I feel the author has done an amazing job in thinking through the background of the pill and making a really interesting, logical and believable plotline behind it. I felt this really set up the story as a whole and it was such a different spin on the whole “zombie apocalypse” thing that I really enjoyed it.
I also enjoyed how the past and present came together and then merged into the rest of the story. Readers who enjoy longer running series like Walking Dead and Last Of Us should find that this book really fills a gap that these series can leave behind. I found the main characters relatable and interestingly drawn and most importantly for me I found the plot to be gripping and interesting. There are a few sex scenes in this book and while there is some gore it’s kept to a fairly low level to my mind and neither overtakes the story. I would mainly declare this an intricately plotted zombie apocalypse style of book with a fair bit of action and a really good plotline.
Readers looking for an interesting and freshly written zombie-style end of the world book should find this a good read.
October 18, 2021
I enjoyed this
This was a rather refreshing take on zombies which are my favorite type of monster. Learning how they became what they are, watching both the infected and the non infected devolve, the line began to blur as to who the real monsters are. That bit of humanism made this a good read.
As an independent author myself, I've enjoyed supporting my fellow story creators, but especially those who lack the big names and their followings, yet weave worlds that urge the reader to use their imagination.
A book that can make me visualize what I'm reading rather than just read words on a page, that's what makes me return to that author and read more of their work. I've been very lucky lately to find so many, and Paul had joined the ranks. I buy the books Thad pull me in and I read every one of them.
I'm a voracious reader to start with but I've always been wary of reading something from a new author. I stepped outside my comfort zone this year and picked up a book from an author I'd never heard of, and I loved it. I proceeded to buy and read everything they had written. I've been doing that since then.
Maybe someday someone will like my books that much and until then I'll continue to read and I'll continue to write. I hope my fellow storytellers do the same.
This was a rather refreshing take on zombies which are my favorite type of monster. Learning how they became what they are, watching both the infected and the non infected devolve, the line began to blur as to who the real monsters are. That bit of humanism made this a good read.
As an independent author myself, I've enjoyed supporting my fellow story creators, but especially those who lack the big names and their followings, yet weave worlds that urge the reader to use their imagination.
A book that can make me visualize what I'm reading rather than just read words on a page, that's what makes me return to that author and read more of their work. I've been very lucky lately to find so many, and Paul had joined the ranks. I buy the books Thad pull me in and I read every one of them.
I'm a voracious reader to start with but I've always been wary of reading something from a new author. I stepped outside my comfort zone this year and picked up a book from an author I'd never heard of, and I loved it. I proceeded to buy and read everything they had written. I've been doing that since then.
Maybe someday someone will like my books that much and until then I'll continue to read and I'll continue to write. I hope my fellow storytellers do the same.
Read
February 5, 2025Listened using hoopla.
Wow this book is incredibly difficult for me to rate because...
I had to put it down after about 30%, the first really gory death scene. I had just had dinner and I was gagging. That was new for me.
I personally don't have any problem with animals dying in a book but it's definitely something future readers might want to consider.
The story rushes quite a bit in the beginning and I feel like I may have missed some key components since I'm listening to it on audio through hoopla.
The story waffles between the present which is approximately 1 month into the Apocalypse and the past reaching as far as five-ish years and the development of a fat burning / eating pill. I don't particularly like the back and forth and other reviews seem to indicate some kind of surprise connection between the past characters in the future characters.
Not sure if I'm going to get back to the story or not, hence the reason I didn't give it a rating at all but wanted to make sure I didn't forget what I thought of this book.
Wow this book is incredibly difficult for me to rate because...
I had to put it down after about 30%, the first really gory death scene. I had just had dinner and I was gagging. That was new for me.
I personally don't have any problem with animals dying in a book but it's definitely something future readers might want to consider.
The story rushes quite a bit in the beginning and I feel like I may have missed some key components since I'm listening to it on audio through hoopla.
The story waffles between the present which is approximately 1 month into the Apocalypse and the past reaching as far as five-ish years and the development of a fat burning / eating pill. I don't particularly like the back and forth and other reviews seem to indicate some kind of surprise connection between the past characters in the future characters.
Not sure if I'm going to get back to the story or not, hence the reason I didn't give it a rating at all but wanted to make sure I didn't forget what I thought of this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2020
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
I was given this book in audio form. Being from the U.K. myself, I really love finding a new U.K. author especially if the books are also on Audible.
I really enjoyed the storyline because it started with the past and the present in separate chapters which eventually merge into the present. There was the right amount of action and tension captured. I loved the origin of how the virus came about, that again the story was based in the U.K. because I can picture it much easier. The author doesn’t keep favourite characters all the time which is brutal but also what it needed.
Would I listen to or read the next book? I definitely would. I hope that there is another book in the future. The narration was great. He captured the characters really well and he wasn’t boring at all.
I was given this book in audio form. Being from the U.K. myself, I really love finding a new U.K. author especially if the books are also on Audible.
I really enjoyed the storyline because it started with the past and the present in separate chapters which eventually merge into the present. There was the right amount of action and tension captured. I loved the origin of how the virus came about, that again the story was based in the U.K. because I can picture it much easier. The author doesn’t keep favourite characters all the time which is brutal but also what it needed.
Would I listen to or read the next book? I definitely would. I hope that there is another book in the future. The narration was great. He captured the characters really well and he wasn’t boring at all.
August 26, 2023
Well, this was a read!
Fast-paced, gruesome, and gripping.
When FatBGone is prematurely set for public consumption, in a mission to overrule obesity, a new epidemic ensues.
The consumers take to a new life of seeking fresh meat to satisfy their cravings.
This story is told from multiple POVs, which I loved, and gave the story some good depth. The writing style is neat and worked really well to keep me engaged.
I'd recommend this for readers of zombie/ apocalyptic thrillers and horror stories.
(3.5 stars for me, but that is solely personal preference due to this being a genre out of my comfort zone)
Fast-paced, gruesome, and gripping.
When FatBGone is prematurely set for public consumption, in a mission to overrule obesity, a new epidemic ensues.
The consumers take to a new life of seeking fresh meat to satisfy their cravings.
This story is told from multiple POVs, which I loved, and gave the story some good depth. The writing style is neat and worked really well to keep me engaged.
I'd recommend this for readers of zombie/ apocalyptic thrillers and horror stories.
(3.5 stars for me, but that is solely personal preference due to this being a genre out of my comfort zone)
September 30, 2025
This was a bit of a twist on the regular zombie book. You have different types of zombies that are formed. I really like the reasoning on how the plague started. It did feel rushed in certain places but overall it flowed well. Alot of gore and some animal gore.
The characters are good, you do get some insight to them but not alot. But for a quick read and for some zombie fun this is good. Also you do get the whole, humans are shitty people even during the zombie apocolypse.
I am going to read the next book soon and see how it ends because happily this is only a 2 part series i believe.
The characters are good, you do get some insight to them but not alot. But for a quick read and for some zombie fun this is good. Also you do get the whole, humans are shitty people even during the zombie apocolypse.
I am going to read the next book soon and see how it ends because happily this is only a 2 part series i believe.
March 8, 2021
I’ve had this a while and had forgotten about it. It popped up on FB and I had to start it right away. OMG it’s so good. I need the next one! I love the new ideas and take on some of the smart zombies who can pass and want to know more about the ‘big ones’ as they are referred to.
Mark Rice-Oxley did an amazing job narrating.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Mark Rice-Oxley did an amazing job narrating.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
October 2, 2020
What a brilliant book... Couldn't stop reading it
Really really enjoyed this book, was really interesting having it not only based in England but around the area I live to.
It has a really good place to the book with plenty of action. Kept wanting to know wear was going to happen next.
I cannot wait for the next instalment
Really really enjoyed this book, was really interesting having it not only based in England but around the area I live to.
It has a really good place to the book with plenty of action. Kept wanting to know wear was going to happen next.
I cannot wait for the next instalment
November 28, 2020
Just a warning for any other pet lovers like myself there are a couple of pet munching scenes? To be expected from a zombie book but still.
I really enjoyed this book. The premise was plausible and its well written. As with most books society calapses and camps get over run.
I like the whole other strains of zombies too like a mutation.
I really enjoyed this book. The premise was plausible and its well written. As with most books society calapses and camps get over run.
I like the whole other strains of zombies too like a mutation.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. After reading the first few pages I knew it was going to be a page-turning action-packed book. It wasn't over the top with the zombies and they were also different from other zombie books that I've read. Other people binge on chocolate I binge on reading and eat chocolate while I read.
July 1, 2022
Great story, but it was difficult reading in places. The issues I had were:
1) A lot of British slang and colloquialisms, that makes it difficult for non-British English speakers.
2) Extreme lack of proper punctuation, creating ambiguous sentences that I had to reread to understand the proper context.
Otherwise, Paul is a great storyteller.
1) A lot of British slang and colloquialisms, that makes it difficult for non-British English speakers.
2) Extreme lack of proper punctuation, creating ambiguous sentences that I had to reread to understand the proper context.
Otherwise, Paul is a great storyteller.
November 5, 2019
Instantly hooked
I enjoyed this read. Chapters are fast paced and reads like a tv series. Definitely compelled me to binge read. Absorbing and good for when on the train. When's the next one?
I enjoyed this read. Chapters are fast paced and reads like a tv series. Definitely compelled me to binge read. Absorbing and good for when on the train. When's the next one?
March 16, 2020
Loved it!
I'm a big fan of anything zombie. I liked the idea of the fact that this virus was different,caused by a slimming pill and not the usual unknown virus. Can't wait to read part 2and find out what happens to Amy and her friends and Natasha.
I'm a big fan of anything zombie. I liked the idea of the fact that this virus was different,caused by a slimming pill and not the usual unknown virus. Can't wait to read part 2and find out what happens to Amy and her friends and Natasha.
October 27, 2020
This was good.I was a lot like the other zombie books out there.I found it more greusome than one I like.Mark Rice-Oxley was a fine narrator.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.'
January 10, 2021
Different take on the zombie genera.
Good pace and an interesting read
Plenty of Zombie action but not repetitive like some of other books I've read. Some really likable characters and I'm looking forward to the second book.
Good pace and an interesting read
Plenty of Zombie action but not repetitive like some of other books I've read. Some really likable characters and I'm looking forward to the second book.
October 13, 2021
Different
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Its definitely different from a standard zombie saga. Can't wait to see what Peter finds as this story unfolds. Natasha, well.. what and unusual character. Kenneth, Bo, Amy and nasty Gareth love them all
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Its definitely different from a standard zombie saga. Can't wait to see what Peter finds as this story unfolds. Natasha, well.. what and unusual character. Kenneth, Bo, Amy and nasty Gareth love them all
August 20, 2023
This was excellent! I did really enjoy it all! A great zombie adventure, well written, good pace & great action & tension! Everything you could want from a zombie story! I will look for more by this writer! I do recommend!
May 3, 2024
Kept me reading
Great book. Have seen it advertised on Facebook a few times and finally got round to reading it and I'm glad I did.
A great read, im looking forward to the second book
Great book. Have seen it advertised on Facebook a few times and finally got round to reading it and I'm glad I did.
A great read, im looking forward to the second book
September 3, 2024
The ending felt a little, idk. Rushed? I kept waiting for all the different threads to meet up. Very novel, very interesting concept tho.
And all the pet deaths made me very sad, even if they make total sense.
And all the pet deaths made me very sad, even if they make total sense.
April 18, 2025
I really enjoyed this read and had a very interesting twist for why the zombie apocalypse started, could very well be something that actually happens in real life, minus the zombies (sadly 🤣). I actually read this last ye
January 16, 2020
Dead good
Great zombie book trust me I’ve read most of them lol . Fantastic characters and engaging story written perfectly 😀 can’t wait for more
Great zombie book trust me I’ve read most of them lol . Fantastic characters and engaging story written perfectly 😀 can’t wait for more
January 21, 2020
Beware the infected!
Exciting cannibal action! Various characters struggle to survive in a world of hungry flesh eating maniacs! A fast, fun read
Exciting cannibal action! Various characters struggle to survive in a world of hungry flesh eating maniacs! A fast, fun read
February 15, 2020
Fantastic!
Really well written, fantastic story and characters. I couldn’t put this book down, I can’t wait for the next book!! Well recommended
Really well written, fantastic story and characters. I couldn’t put this book down, I can’t wait for the next book!! Well recommended
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews