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Between Life and Death #0.5
Dead Woman's Journal
If there's one good thing about the end of the world, it's that Jillian wasn't alone when it happened. Her neighborhood is still populated and more importantly, no one is trying to eat anyone else. The rest of the world isn't so lucky. Where the Awakened roam, terror follows.
A medical miracle turned bad is the cause of it all. What's worse, almost everyone has some form of the medicine in their system. Medical nanites changed the landscape is wonderful ways, but when those medical miracles went haywire, it was the end of the world.
Within the safety of their small waterfront neighborhood, Jillian and her neighbors must forge a new path, one that will keep them safe...keep them alive. Within each of them lies the seeds of destruction, but also the will to survive.
Dead Woman's Journal is a prequel to the thrilling Between Life and Death series. This full-length novel stands alone and is without cliffhangers. While there are some descriptions of violence, the novel is appropriate for ages 16 and up.
A medical miracle turned bad is the cause of it all. What's worse, almost everyone has some form of the medicine in their system. Medical nanites changed the landscape is wonderful ways, but when those medical miracles went haywire, it was the end of the world.
Within the safety of their small waterfront neighborhood, Jillian and her neighbors must forge a new path, one that will keep them safe...keep them alive. Within each of them lies the seeds of destruction, but also the will to survive.
Dead Woman's Journal is a prequel to the thrilling Between Life and Death series. This full-length novel stands alone and is without cliffhangers. While there are some descriptions of violence, the novel is appropriate for ages 16 and up.
296 pages, Paperback
Published July 13, 2019
133 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
About the author
Ann Christy
50 books329 followersAnn lives by the sea under the benevolent rule of her canine overlord and an incredibly foul-mouthed cat. A scientist and Navy officer by profession, the writing bug somehow got inside her during her travels. She's now stuck with it and can't stop writing.
She writes fully immersive works of science fiction and apocalyptic fiction. Ann is also a voracious reader, and adores a well-done audiobook. If she's not writing, then she's reading or listening.
She writes fully immersive works of science fiction and apocalyptic fiction. Ann is also a voracious reader, and adores a well-done audiobook. If she's not writing, then she's reading or listening.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
September 1, 2020
This is a 4.5 star read.
Well, this was a surprise package! A fascinating, riveting look at an apocalypse featuring the undead, but brought about by the advance of medical science. The novelette was written in journal form and was an "extra" the author originally wrote for her readers but has now been added to the "Between Life And Death" series as a freebie. It's certainly whet my appetite to delve into the saga.
Well, this was a surprise package! A fascinating, riveting look at an apocalypse featuring the undead, but brought about by the advance of medical science. The novelette was written in journal form and was an "extra" the author originally wrote for her readers but has now been added to the "Between Life And Death" series as a freebie. It's certainly whet my appetite to delve into the saga.
July 29, 2019
The good news? You didn't die in the zombie apocalypse! The bad news? You're gonna die anyway, no matter what you do.
That's not a spoiler - the narrator is upfront about her medical problem in the journal she leaves behind for whoever ends up finding her home. The journal isn't simply a pity party in writing. Far from it. It's an instruction manual about her home, which has solar power, and is in a fairly safe area due to geography.
The writing is warm, and optimistic, and in spite of everything, the narrator conveys her story in a friendly way. She endures tragedy, makes mistakes, gives important observations about the zombies, and does her best to ready her home for the next inhabitants.
I've read the first book in the series, and I don't think reading this first will spoil that one. I'm not sure about the rest of the series. I'll have to put the second book on my reading list.
That's not a spoiler - the narrator is upfront about her medical problem in the journal she leaves behind for whoever ends up finding her home. The journal isn't simply a pity party in writing. Far from it. It's an instruction manual about her home, which has solar power, and is in a fairly safe area due to geography.
The writing is warm, and optimistic, and in spite of everything, the narrator conveys her story in a friendly way. She endures tragedy, makes mistakes, gives important observations about the zombies, and does her best to ready her home for the next inhabitants.
I've read the first book in the series, and I don't think reading this first will spoil that one. I'm not sure about the rest of the series. I'll have to put the second book on my reading list.
August 9, 2019
This was my first Between Life and Death book and I will be continuing the series. The situations felt like what might happen in a real world zombie apocalypse.
August 1, 2022
Firstly, and before anything else, I have to say a Big Thank You to Ann Christy for freebie-ing this novel.
I have to admit to being jaded to the whole Zombie Apocolypse Pageant. It would appear that other monstrous creatures and aliens are no longer fit enough to grace the digital page. The old parable stating that everybody has at least one story to tell should be re-written to read, everybody has at least one Zombie Apocolypse story in them...or thirty, because everyone now writes series.
Nevertheless, I still picked up Dead Woman's Journal. Why, you ask, after reading my rant above? It's simple - it was free, and the narrative offered something I'd not read before; zombie-building nanites. So, after eenie-meanie-miney-mo-ing my book list, I started on Jillian's Journal. And I was hooked.
Ann Christy has a natural writing style. It possessed such a spontaneous and unpretentious feel that the journal actually read like a journal. And as the notes and entries progress, Christy adds to that sense by including Jillian's ideas, like her helpful hints and tips. These start within the pages, but Jillian decides there are too many to dot throughout her recollections. She creates a separate section at the back of the book, making them easier to find and follow. This idea, in fact, allows Christy to write the journal entries without having to include any hints and tips. It keeps the reader focused on the story as the action and understanding of the situation grows. But it also makes the journal more natural and credible.
And the understanding of the situation was another primary draw for me. As I stated above, the nanites that have made life easier and extended life expectancy have a flaw - they create zombie-like humans. But as we journey through Jillian's recountings, we learn that not all nanites are alike. Only certain types of the little buggers appear to be malfunctioning. Of course, they have to be the most popular and widely used. But here's another clever and logical twist, Christy makes the nanites non-robotic. These are not machines scurrying through your body and bloodstream. The nanites are medical and created from body tissue and cells. This ingenious idea allows for their continued fabrication in the infected and enables them to be transfused through bites, blood, or other bodily fluids. So if you're a twisted necrophiliac then you're in trouble.
Christy then weaves together the lives of Jillian's neighbours and their trials and tribulations as they strive to stay alive, or at the very least, not un-dead. With her fundamental scribing, Christy makes the reading a pleasure. The story isn't always a page-turner, but the flow and the pace she utilises keeps you reading...until you look up at the clock and find four hours have passed since you sat down with your Flat-White.
I would happily recommend Dead Woman's Journal to all the Zombie lovers out there. Should you, like me, be Zombie weary, I would also suggest picking up this freebie as it's better than you may expect. It was so enjoyable and worthy of my time that I will probably progress onto the series in full: Time and ever-growing reading list permitting.
Take Care & Stay Well.
I have to admit to being jaded to the whole Zombie Apocolypse Pageant. It would appear that other monstrous creatures and aliens are no longer fit enough to grace the digital page. The old parable stating that everybody has at least one story to tell should be re-written to read, everybody has at least one Zombie Apocolypse story in them...or thirty, because everyone now writes series.
Nevertheless, I still picked up Dead Woman's Journal. Why, you ask, after reading my rant above? It's simple - it was free, and the narrative offered something I'd not read before; zombie-building nanites. So, after eenie-meanie-miney-mo-ing my book list, I started on Jillian's Journal. And I was hooked.
Ann Christy has a natural writing style. It possessed such a spontaneous and unpretentious feel that the journal actually read like a journal. And as the notes and entries progress, Christy adds to that sense by including Jillian's ideas, like her helpful hints and tips. These start within the pages, but Jillian decides there are too many to dot throughout her recollections. She creates a separate section at the back of the book, making them easier to find and follow. This idea, in fact, allows Christy to write the journal entries without having to include any hints and tips. It keeps the reader focused on the story as the action and understanding of the situation grows. But it also makes the journal more natural and credible.
And the understanding of the situation was another primary draw for me. As I stated above, the nanites that have made life easier and extended life expectancy have a flaw - they create zombie-like humans. But as we journey through Jillian's recountings, we learn that not all nanites are alike. Only certain types of the little buggers appear to be malfunctioning. Of course, they have to be the most popular and widely used. But here's another clever and logical twist, Christy makes the nanites non-robotic. These are not machines scurrying through your body and bloodstream. The nanites are medical and created from body tissue and cells. This ingenious idea allows for their continued fabrication in the infected and enables them to be transfused through bites, blood, or other bodily fluids. So if you're a twisted necrophiliac then you're in trouble.
Christy then weaves together the lives of Jillian's neighbours and their trials and tribulations as they strive to stay alive, or at the very least, not un-dead. With her fundamental scribing, Christy makes the reading a pleasure. The story isn't always a page-turner, but the flow and the pace she utilises keeps you reading...until you look up at the clock and find four hours have passed since you sat down with your Flat-White.
I would happily recommend Dead Woman's Journal to all the Zombie lovers out there. Should you, like me, be Zombie weary, I would also suggest picking up this freebie as it's better than you may expect. It was so enjoyable and worthy of my time that I will probably progress onto the series in full: Time and ever-growing reading list permitting.
Take Care & Stay Well.
July 17, 2019
This is the perfect insight into how the world ends. And how the new world begins.
Ann Christy is a master at writing the heart of things. And the violence is pretty spot on too. Ann's writing has hope, and love and lots of reality. She is one of my favorite authors <3 And all of her works are, auto-buy.
Ann Christy is a master at writing the heart of things. And the violence is pretty spot on too. Ann's writing has hope, and love and lots of reality. She is one of my favorite authors <3 And all of her works are, auto-buy.
August 18, 2019
This book is such a treat. I first read it when Ann Christy shared it with her newsletter subscribers. It’s was a while and many books ago, so I thought I’d take a quick look through before I wrote a review. Well, nope. I started reading and kept reading right to the end. I enjoyed it as much as the first reading.
This is a stand-alone story set in the world of the Between Life and Death series. After the main series ended, Ann graciously responded to her fans’ demands – um, requests – to please tell us more about some of the characters. Each of these is a prequel to the series, stories of how each character survived the initial destruction of society and eventually found each other. In the book Savannah Slays, a journal plays an important part at one point in that story. Dead Woman’s Journal is the story of that journal and the woman that wrote it. You’ll meet Savannah in the first chapter of this book and read the journal along with her. This book is the backstory of an element from another backstory, and how cool is that?
I enjoy every bit of Ann’s work, but the Between Life and Death series is my favorite of her books – so far. Ann’s greatest strength is her characters, in all of her work, and the characters in the series are all unforgettable. The prequel books are wonderful, adding depth to characters that weren’t the main features in the series. If we were keeping score, I’d have to say that The Book of Sam gets my vote. All the feels, Sam.
Dead Woman’s Journal is the newest prequel, and unique in that the character writing the journal never appeared in the original series. She is amazing, one of the strongest characters I’ve ever met, and I’m glad I got to know her through her journal. Savannah’s glad too. You can certainly enjoy this book without reading the whole series. Try it and see. Bet you can’t read just one.
This is a stand-alone story set in the world of the Between Life and Death series. After the main series ended, Ann graciously responded to her fans’ demands – um, requests – to please tell us more about some of the characters. Each of these is a prequel to the series, stories of how each character survived the initial destruction of society and eventually found each other. In the book Savannah Slays, a journal plays an important part at one point in that story. Dead Woman’s Journal is the story of that journal and the woman that wrote it. You’ll meet Savannah in the first chapter of this book and read the journal along with her. This book is the backstory of an element from another backstory, and how cool is that?
I enjoy every bit of Ann’s work, but the Between Life and Death series is my favorite of her books – so far. Ann’s greatest strength is her characters, in all of her work, and the characters in the series are all unforgettable. The prequel books are wonderful, adding depth to characters that weren’t the main features in the series. If we were keeping score, I’d have to say that The Book of Sam gets my vote. All the feels, Sam.
Dead Woman’s Journal is the newest prequel, and unique in that the character writing the journal never appeared in the original series. She is amazing, one of the strongest characters I’ve ever met, and I’m glad I got to know her through her journal. Savannah’s glad too. You can certainly enjoy this book without reading the whole series. Try it and see. Bet you can’t read just one.
September 22, 2022
I really liked the Between Life and Death series (I read the trilogy) ... now I see there are a couple companion books (featuring Sam and Savannah) and this one, which starts out with Savannah and a team- coming across a house, finding a journal, and THAT is this story. A different character, a "prequel" as it's written history happened as the zombie apocalypse first started to happen (whereas the trilogy happens a little ways in).
The first part (with Savannah) is present tense/3rd person. I don't love present tense, it so often just sounds awkward to me. For the journal part, it shifts to first person/past tense, and Jillian is writing her journal to be read, so she is speaking to the reader (who ends up being Savannah and Co, but is also US, the reader). It's written in a very easy, conversational tone (probably more in depth and better writing than most average people would do writing a journal ... I know I write a journal and while of course there are no zombies and life isn't all that exciting, it don't think anyone would be interested in reading my day to day!)
This was narrated by the author - and she did pretty good. Not a lot of voices, because most of the book is the journal, which is all Jillian. None of the other books in the series have audio (yet?) It had been a while since I'd read the other books, but it was pretty easy to slip back into this world.
The first part (with Savannah) is present tense/3rd person. I don't love present tense, it so often just sounds awkward to me. For the journal part, it shifts to first person/past tense, and Jillian is writing her journal to be read, so she is speaking to the reader (who ends up being Savannah and Co, but is also US, the reader). It's written in a very easy, conversational tone (probably more in depth and better writing than most average people would do writing a journal ... I know I write a journal and while of course there are no zombies and life isn't all that exciting, it don't think anyone would be interested in reading my day to day!)
This was narrated by the author - and she did pretty good. Not a lot of voices, because most of the book is the journal, which is all Jillian. None of the other books in the series have audio (yet?) It had been a while since I'd read the other books, but it was pretty easy to slip back into this world.
July 4, 2022
The zombies in this book are called the "Awakened" and the zombies weren't created by some virus gone wrong but by a malfuntion in nanobots. Nanobots cure a lot of things in this world... bad eye sight, high cholesterol, artritis... and somehow the nanobots are also turning people into "Awakened".
A group of survivors enter a house to rest and one of them finds the journal of the owner of the house. It's her story about the first weeks of the apocalypse and a guide for future people who might find her house after she's gone.
This journal is not your typical zombie story because it is slow-paced and heartwarming. The author of the journal just want to tell the story of this rural cul-de-sac for anyone who might happen to visit it in the future and she tries to do this as matter-of-factly as possible.
A group of survivors enter a house to rest and one of them finds the journal of the owner of the house. It's her story about the first weeks of the apocalypse and a guide for future people who might find her house after she's gone.
This journal is not your typical zombie story because it is slow-paced and heartwarming. The author of the journal just want to tell the story of this rural cul-de-sac for anyone who might happen to visit it in the future and she tries to do this as matter-of-factly as possible.
September 25, 2019
What a way to end a series!!!! I postponed reading it knowing it was the last book, but once started, couldn't put it down. What a journey this was. Ann Christy's writing just sucks you into the story. I felt like I was right there with the other survivors throughout the series with descriptions making the story come 'alive'. I'm so glad I ended the series with this book/journal. It just wrapped up everything in the best way possible. I think, no, I know, I will read this entire series again, it was so good. Thanks Ann for the apolcalyptic journey you took me on!
December 25, 2020
A great addition to the series
Wow! What a great read. I just had to keep reading and as often happens nearing the end of a good book, I did not want it to end. I won't give any spoilers, but the ending made me smile, and I did not expect that.
The main character is just so likeable and I was sitting for her right from the start.
Of you haven't read the others in the series I hehe you too do so! Enjoy
Wow! What a great read. I just had to keep reading and as often happens nearing the end of a good book, I did not want it to end. I won't give any spoilers, but the ending made me smile, and I did not expect that.
The main character is just so likeable and I was sitting for her right from the start.
Of you haven't read the others in the series I hehe you too do so! Enjoy
August 29, 2019
A blizzard of pink notes.
That is what greets Savannah, survivor of the end of the world, as she edges into an abandoned home.
It is as much a home as it can be under the circumstances, thanks to the extraordinary soul who left behind her story.
Ann Christy brings these end times to vivid life for us, along with many seeds of hope for a future. Top notch writing.
That is what greets Savannah, survivor of the end of the world, as she edges into an abandoned home.
It is as much a home as it can be under the circumstances, thanks to the extraordinary soul who left behind her story.
Ann Christy brings these end times to vivid life for us, along with many seeds of hope for a future. Top notch writing.
October 27, 2020
Journal
Liked it, very realistic and many twists and turns. Nice use of a subject who was a!ready disabled and how they dealt with it. Interesting that the disability proved more effective than a real whole person. I enjoyed the writing style and being in short interludes meant I wasn't up half the night .
Liked it, very realistic and many twists and turns. Nice use of a subject who was a!ready disabled and how they dealt with it. Interesting that the disability proved more effective than a real whole person. I enjoyed the writing style and being in short interludes meant I wasn't up half the night .
August 24, 2018
Enjoyable end of the world/zombie apocalypse novel where the characters were mostly decent people, and the arseholes were bit parts. I wasn't convinced by the introductory section, but once the diary started, I was hooked.
December 29, 2018
What a brilliant introduction to this author! I really enjoyed this book, I was sucked into the story directly, brilliant characters, well written. Really looking forward to more in this series as well as more by this writer!
July 24, 2019
A great new take on the zombie apocalypse story
Tbh I wasn't sure at first but I couldn't put this book down in the end I loved it and the new take on it all continually intrigued in the character and her story you fall in love with her definitely one you have to read!
Tbh I wasn't sure at first but I couldn't put this book down in the end I loved it and the new take on it all continually intrigued in the character and her story you fall in love with her definitely one you have to read!
January 15, 2020
Super read!
I read Savannah slays first, so had to read this one next. So pleased this was written because throughout Savanna, I was constantly wondering about the diary writer!
Great read and can't wait to read the rest!!!
I read Savannah slays first, so had to read this one next. So pleased this was written because throughout Savanna, I was constantly wondering about the diary writer!
Great read and can't wait to read the rest!!!
January 10, 2023
BLAD - WOW
Loved how it was written as a journal by a woman who knew from experience what to expect and how she laid it all out for the survivors, whom she was certain of, would follow--or at least what she hoped the future would allow for... Awesome reading!!
Loved how it was written as a journal by a woman who knew from experience what to expect and how she laid it all out for the survivors, whom she was certain of, would follow--or at least what she hoped the future would allow for... Awesome reading!!
July 22, 2019
Excellent five-star!
A well-written rap to this series. I have read and enjoyed reading this series and this ending which is actually a beginning was great.
A well-written rap to this series. I have read and enjoyed reading this series and this ending which is actually a beginning was great.
September 1, 2019
Fantastic background for the next book in the series. Loved it.
August 29, 2019
A different viewpoint on the end of civilization
The story is compelling and keeps your interest the entire time. A good quick and enjoyable read that is very satisfying.
The story is compelling and keeps your interest the entire time. A good quick and enjoyable read that is very satisfying.
September 3, 2019
Quite a journey this book took me. Various types of emotions welled up while reading this story. Not your normal 'end of the world' type adventure. Highly recommend reading.
September 18, 2019
Nice read
This was a very interesting but uncommon book about one version of the Apocalypse that seems rational. I liked it a lot!
This was a very interesting but uncommon book about one version of the Apocalypse that seems rational. I liked it a lot!
November 17, 2019
After I read this book, I found out it was part of a series. I never felt lost in the book or any of the explanations. I plan on reading the entire series just based off this diary.
November 27, 2019
Made me want to keep a diary!
An excellent book where you feel empathy with the journal’s author from the start . Sad but vital reading . Loved it!
An excellent book where you feel empathy with the journal’s author from the start . Sad but vital reading . Loved it!
July 18, 2020
Great read
I don't think there was anything I didn't like about this book. I finished it in less than two days. I couldn't put it down. I can't wait to read the whole series!
I don't think there was anything I didn't like about this book. I finished it in less than two days. I couldn't put it down. I can't wait to read the whole series!
August 11, 2020
Page turner!
I read this in one sitting. I really felt invested in the main character and her neighbors. Now I have to read the rest of them.
I read this in one sitting. I really felt invested in the main character and her neighbors. Now I have to read the rest of them.
November 8, 2021
Very much enjoyed this book. Was a neat take on the zombie virus.
January 11, 2020
I have read the first 3 books in the Between Life And Death series (the original trilogy) and loved it. This novella, timewise set at the beginning of all, can be read as stand alone at any point.
It's a journal of a survivor and though a tinsywee slow at the beginning it gets really interesting in the end when she ventures out. But also seeing the neighbourhood going down was interesting.
The only thing I have to critize is the fact that one of the characters of the other books was reading this journal before the events in the trilogy but nothing transpired from it. Which makes sense because this journal novella was written after although it has happened before. Also it only covers the first 60 days and some apocalyptic features like overgrown yards seem to need longer normally.
I would recommend this to read at any time but I think you should definitely read it before the book Savannah Slays.
But it's also not necessary to start the series here, it might even take away a bit.
It's a journal of a survivor and though a tinsywee slow at the beginning it gets really interesting in the end when she ventures out. But also seeing the neighbourhood going down was interesting.
The only thing I have to critize is the fact that one of the characters of the other books was reading this journal before the events in the trilogy but nothing transpired from it. Which makes sense because this journal novella was written after although it has happened before. Also it only covers the first 60 days and some apocalyptic features like overgrown yards seem to need longer normally.
I would recommend this to read at any time but I think you should definitely read it before the book Savannah Slays.
But it's also not necessary to start the series here, it might even take away a bit.
May 30, 2024
From Audible:
***DNF*** This needs to be rewritten…. I think the finding of the journal to build up to what happened could be done really well especially after reading the author’s other book (Never Ending End of the World) but this is barely a book and more of “this place is setup perfectly for whoever finds it and let me tell you why”. It’s not interesting in the least, I have zero connection to the characters and I’ve tried multiple times to finish it but cannot get past the middle. The author also needs to hire a narrator. She isn’t bad but the way she explains everything is not appealing and just not good in general. It shouldn’t take half a book to explain the housing setup, does the housing/neighborhood setup ever end? Sadly, I’ll never know.
***DNF*** This needs to be rewritten…. I think the finding of the journal to build up to what happened could be done really well especially after reading the author’s other book (Never Ending End of the World) but this is barely a book and more of “this place is setup perfectly for whoever finds it and let me tell you why”. It’s not interesting in the least, I have zero connection to the characters and I’ve tried multiple times to finish it but cannot get past the middle. The author also needs to hire a narrator. She isn’t bad but the way she explains everything is not appealing and just not good in general. It shouldn’t take half a book to explain the housing setup, does the housing/neighborhood setup ever end? Sadly, I’ll never know.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews