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Awake
After waking in a field, naked, battered, bloody, and with no memory of who she was or what happened to her, Olivia “Liv” Stone, discovers that roughly four years have passed and a plague has swept her world, killing some and turning most into creatures only heard about in horror stories. Worse, she fears that during those missing years, she might have been one of the beings. How that was possible, and how she was human again, Liv doesn’t know but aims to find out. Along the way, she joins a war to eliminate the remaining creatures by waking as many of the undead as possible.
372 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 25, 2019
63 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Reynolds
20 books296 followersJennifer Lynn Powell Reynolds is a native of North Alabama.
Jennifer has a Master of Fine Arts degree from National University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Alabama.
Writing has always been a large part of her life. In high school, her local newspaper published a large number of her poems, and she won numerous poetry and short stories awards. Since high school, she has worked on a number of different projects, but her focus was on acquiring her degrees.
She finished the first draft of her first novel, a post-apocalyptic piece titled Alone, around the time she graduated with her B.A. Since then, she has written numerous other novels, short stories, and poems.
Aside from spending her days immersed in the fictional worlds she creates, she works part time at Stained Glass Artistry.
Jennifer has a Master of Fine Arts degree from National University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Alabama.
Writing has always been a large part of her life. In high school, her local newspaper published a large number of her poems, and she won numerous poetry and short stories awards. Since high school, she has worked on a number of different projects, but her focus was on acquiring her degrees.
She finished the first draft of her first novel, a post-apocalyptic piece titled Alone, around the time she graduated with her B.A. Since then, she has written numerous other novels, short stories, and poems.
Aside from spending her days immersed in the fictional worlds she creates, she works part time at Stained Glass Artistry.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 14, 2019
Jennifer Reynolds has done it! Finally, the rest of the story in the world of post-apocalyptic zombie books. More than the rest of the story, it suggests a new beginning for those mindless, flesh-eating monsters, a do-over! A cure has been found for those infected by the zombie plague and this is their story, told by a former zombie who has been cured and is back as a human again! Yes! Settle in and witness the “light at the end of the tunnel.”
AWAKE is the story of Liv and her life after being a zombie. Her confusion, the return of her memories, her determination to do the right thing by aiding the “normal” humans administer the cure to zombies, even though few will survive. Along the way, she will discover fear, loneliness, camaraderie and even love, as well as hope for the future of mankind.
Ms. Reynolds has a built a stark world with a flare of hope that comes alive through her brilliant descriptions from smells, to visuals to the backdrops. Hardships, discoveries and losses riddle this tale with a sense of realism that feels right. Well told, creatively imagined and presented in a riveting way that shines a whole new light on the zombie apocalypse! A MUST read for zombie fans everywhere!
I received a complimentary copy from Jennifer Reynolds! This is my honest and voluntary review.
Publication Date: October 25, 2019
Publisher: Jennifer Reynolds
Genre: Post-Apocalyptic
Print Length: 276 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
AWAKE is the story of Liv and her life after being a zombie. Her confusion, the return of her memories, her determination to do the right thing by aiding the “normal” humans administer the cure to zombies, even though few will survive. Along the way, she will discover fear, loneliness, camaraderie and even love, as well as hope for the future of mankind.
Ms. Reynolds has a built a stark world with a flare of hope that comes alive through her brilliant descriptions from smells, to visuals to the backdrops. Hardships, discoveries and losses riddle this tale with a sense of realism that feels right. Well told, creatively imagined and presented in a riveting way that shines a whole new light on the zombie apocalypse! A MUST read for zombie fans everywhere!
I received a complimentary copy from Jennifer Reynolds! This is my honest and voluntary review.
Publication Date: October 25, 2019
Publisher: Jennifer Reynolds
Genre: Post-Apocalyptic
Print Length: 276 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
June 4, 2021
At first this book was really good. It was a good twist on a zombie apocalypse. But as it went on it became repetitive, as you can imagine. Liv didn't have an ounce of personality either. She was so bland.
November 8, 2019
WOW!!! This is definitely a different take on the zombie apocalypse and I really liked it.
It can't be easy to build a whole world around something like this and keep all the little strings from coming unwound and this author does a great job at it. I would encourage anyone reading it to understand that there are some very graphic and disturbing scenes in the book. But that is what adds meat, no pun intended, to the story.
I loved Liv, she was a very strong but totally sympathetic heroine. And I found some very interesting twists in the story! Definitely a must read for zombie apocalypse fans, which I'm normally not.
It can't be easy to build a whole world around something like this and keep all the little strings from coming unwound and this author does a great job at it. I would encourage anyone reading it to understand that there are some very graphic and disturbing scenes in the book. But that is what adds meat, no pun intended, to the story.
I loved Liv, she was a very strong but totally sympathetic heroine. And I found some very interesting twists in the story! Definitely a must read for zombie apocalypse fans, which I'm normally not.
March 27, 2020
A young girl Olivia “Liv” Stone wakes in the middle of a field naked, alone, confused with no memory of who she is or how she got there. Liv picks her sore, injured bloody body up off the ground and starts to look around her spotting a body not too from her with missing fingers. She asks herself if the missing fingers are the ones she just threw up back there. Yeah well she wasn’t about to go and inspect her throw-up to find out. No way no how.
As Liv awakens and time progresses she starts to have nightmares about what may have happened to her and the world around her. So far in her journey Liv has only seen a few zombies mulling around but none of them seem to want to eat her. But isn’t that what zombies do? Then why do they not want to eat her?
Liv learns from her memories how the world ended and the dead started to walk around attacking and eating people. They also tell her that she may have been a zombie herself. She also remembers her name and parents and that she had a sister.
Liv thinks a lot on being a zombie but now she is not and about being human again. Liv thinks about the people she may have attacked as a zombie and feels remorse and regret for what she has done.
Awake is unlike any zombie book I have ever read before. I have said this before but with this book it is truer than ever. I have read more books than I can count about zombies but I have never ever read a book about zombies and what they felt or thought or what may have went through their minds when they were zombies I didn’t think a zombie had a mind anymore but who knows right?
I really and truly loved reading Awake and would love to read more stories from this world. Awake is the first book by Jennifer Reynolds that I have read but I hope it is not the last as I do believe that I may have found another favorite author as I do love apocalyptic, post-apocalyptic, zombie books. I can’t seem to get enough of zombies or this genre. I do believe that Awake has become one of my favorite books.
If you like apocalyptic, post-apocalyptic books about zombies then I highly, highly recommend Awake. One click your copy today!
As Liv awakens and time progresses she starts to have nightmares about what may have happened to her and the world around her. So far in her journey Liv has only seen a few zombies mulling around but none of them seem to want to eat her. But isn’t that what zombies do? Then why do they not want to eat her?
Liv learns from her memories how the world ended and the dead started to walk around attacking and eating people. They also tell her that she may have been a zombie herself. She also remembers her name and parents and that she had a sister.
Liv thinks a lot on being a zombie but now she is not and about being human again. Liv thinks about the people she may have attacked as a zombie and feels remorse and regret for what she has done.
Awake is unlike any zombie book I have ever read before. I have said this before but with this book it is truer than ever. I have read more books than I can count about zombies but I have never ever read a book about zombies and what they felt or thought or what may have went through their minds when they were zombies I didn’t think a zombie had a mind anymore but who knows right?
I really and truly loved reading Awake and would love to read more stories from this world. Awake is the first book by Jennifer Reynolds that I have read but I hope it is not the last as I do believe that I may have found another favorite author as I do love apocalyptic, post-apocalyptic, zombie books. I can’t seem to get enough of zombies or this genre. I do believe that Awake has become one of my favorite books.
If you like apocalyptic, post-apocalyptic books about zombies then I highly, highly recommend Awake. One click your copy today!
November 2, 2019
A very different zombie perspective. I bought this book after reading the first five chapters for free on another site. I just had to know how the story ended so I came to Amazon and paid the price for the Kindle edition. I wasn't disappointed. WARNING: some of the scenes are vomit-inducing!
The premise starts out with a young girl awakening naked and alone in a field. After the contents of her stomach show her a finger and a dead guy missing a finger next to her...the journey is begun. Olivia or Liv as she's called is a reawakened Zombie who was injected with a "cure" for zombieism and has now gone from human to zombie and back to human again. This is her story and her journey.
The book flows along quite nicely and the inner conversations that Liv has with herself are entertaining. I did think the book was rather rushed at the end and so was the romance but in the middle of a zombie apocalypse, I guess that could be excused...I mean who would have the time to court someone? I wish the book had been longer and more details given in the day to day existence of Liv and the other survivors.
I also hoped there might be a sequel but if there is...it isn't out yet.
There were some grammar mistakes and places where the wrong word was used but not that many and it didn't really distract from the story. I just found it funny at the end of the book where the author thanked her proofreader and editor for a job well done when there some glaring mistakes that should have been caught before the book went to press.
The premise starts out with a young girl awakening naked and alone in a field. After the contents of her stomach show her a finger and a dead guy missing a finger next to her...the journey is begun. Olivia or Liv as she's called is a reawakened Zombie who was injected with a "cure" for zombieism and has now gone from human to zombie and back to human again. This is her story and her journey.
The book flows along quite nicely and the inner conversations that Liv has with herself are entertaining. I did think the book was rather rushed at the end and so was the romance but in the middle of a zombie apocalypse, I guess that could be excused...I mean who would have the time to court someone? I wish the book had been longer and more details given in the day to day existence of Liv and the other survivors.
I also hoped there might be a sequel but if there is...it isn't out yet.
There were some grammar mistakes and places where the wrong word was used but not that many and it didn't really distract from the story. I just found it funny at the end of the book where the author thanked her proofreader and editor for a job well done when there some glaring mistakes that should have been caught before the book went to press.
November 18, 2019
Awake was unlike any other zombie apocalypse novel I’ve ever read!
The story follows a former zombie, after receiving the cure. The opening was absolutely brilliant and sucked me right in.
Throughout the story, you discover the characters history, or as much of it comes back to Liv as she starts having dreams and flashbacks about being a zombie and before she was bitten.
This was a fascinating look at the What If’s of zombies, delving into much more than survival into the rebuilding of society, prejudice, finding love, and starting life again with a fresh start (though not so much a clean slate!) if you love zombie fiction, I highly recommend Jennifer Reynolds’s books, especially this one, if you’re looking for something fresh in the genre!
The story follows a former zombie, after receiving the cure. The opening was absolutely brilliant and sucked me right in.
Throughout the story, you discover the characters history, or as much of it comes back to Liv as she starts having dreams and flashbacks about being a zombie and before she was bitten.
This was a fascinating look at the What If’s of zombies, delving into much more than survival into the rebuilding of society, prejudice, finding love, and starting life again with a fresh start (though not so much a clean slate!) if you love zombie fiction, I highly recommend Jennifer Reynolds’s books, especially this one, if you’re looking for something fresh in the genre!
March 7, 2020
I forgot to post my review! Man... what can I say about this? First of all, it's no secret that I love Jennifer Reynolds stories. It never fails, every time I pick up one of her books, I'm pulled in.
I was definitely taken back by this one. The touch of reality in every page was astounding. I truly felt like I was there with the descriptions. Once again she took a new spin on this topic, I hadn't ever seen/read it! BRAVO!!! Loved this one!
I was definitely taken back by this one. The touch of reality in every page was astounding. I truly felt like I was there with the descriptions. Once again she took a new spin on this topic, I hadn't ever seen/read it! BRAVO!!! Loved this one!
October 7, 2023
I was nothing. I didn’t exist. I was an empty void.
How do I say this gently? Hm… well, this was awful. Yes, I hear your questions now, but my stubbornness made me promise I'd stick to this until at least page 200 or the 50% mark, whichever came first, just in the off chance a qualitative turnaround was forthcoming. Luckily, my suffering was granted a statistical reprieve: the DNF "call it" came at page 203 and even that was about 100 pages too many. But I can promise that I feel no guilt at all at re-shelving this dreadfully dull zombie tale and not even an iota of regret that I didn't stay for the end credits. I thought the main character of Liv was a bore but good golly when Sophia got up and going, well, I kind of wished someone would come along and stab ME in the head to end MY suffering.
I wish I remembered my past. I feel lost and scared all the time.
I mean, first of all, there's so much damn crying. So many damn "whoa is me" examples and regrets and blah de blah de blah! And when Liv announces that "she (her mother) had died attempting to save me, (it) meant the world to me." Ye gods, I almost vomited up a finger myself! Oh you don't like vomit? Hm, might want to consider not even starting then! I think this is easily the whiniest book I've ever checked out. And what is my sexuality, why didn't I do this, why didn't I do that, why don't I … hornk. Oh gods, that was a toe, wasn't it?
I was exhausted and sad. I wanted to crawl into my bed and never wake up.
Hell's bells, it takes 128 pages alone just to meet another human. Though we did have oodles of "dialogue" as for the longest time we were treated to double doses of Liv as she talked to herself incessantly! Plus, I don't know how the entire scenario could have been made any more UNREALISTIC. Walking literally across most of an entire southern state without any kind of conflict involving other humans, animals or even a skinned knee? During the apocalypse? I don't care how long it's been and how many have been eradicated (human or not), that is just ridiculous. And don't get me started about entering an area packed to the gills with full and half-zombies. But she done did need to do her some killin' y'all! D-d-d-d-dUMB!!!
Evidence suggests the cure kills more than it saves.
But so much luck to be found! Why every stop had a comfy bed, a cabinet full of edible 'stuff', a change of clothes and even occasionally whiskey, wine and eternally fresh Spam (a veritable feast fit for an epicure)! Oh and naturally there was enough fresh water for all! Look friends, you couldn't even find half of what's described in this lazy story during the pandemic let alone 4 YEARS!!! after the world ended! How all this bounty of riches just magically remained sitting and waiting on some innocent waif to walk by is just beyond me!
I took comfort that my death hadn’t left my kids orphaned.
Bottom-line: life is too short to read bad books and this is one of the worst zombie tales I've come across in quite some time. Yes, I have this continuing interest - more like an addiction honestly - to find digestible (hahaha... ewww...) z-books. But I guess I burned through my good luck earlier this year with the "Warm Bodies" trilogy. Truthfully, I'd have given "Awake" one star for my own pain and suffering but I promised never to do that if the editing were half-decent. So… yay? Anyway, on to bigger and better things (like maybe reading shampoo bottle labels)…
How do I say this gently? Hm… well, this was awful. Yes, I hear your questions now, but my stubbornness made me promise I'd stick to this until at least page 200 or the 50% mark, whichever came first, just in the off chance a qualitative turnaround was forthcoming. Luckily, my suffering was granted a statistical reprieve: the DNF "call it" came at page 203 and even that was about 100 pages too many. But I can promise that I feel no guilt at all at re-shelving this dreadfully dull zombie tale and not even an iota of regret that I didn't stay for the end credits. I thought the main character of Liv was a bore but good golly when Sophia got up and going, well, I kind of wished someone would come along and stab ME in the head to end MY suffering.
I wish I remembered my past. I feel lost and scared all the time.
I mean, first of all, there's so much damn crying. So many damn "whoa is me" examples and regrets and blah de blah de blah! And when Liv announces that "she (her mother) had died attempting to save me, (it) meant the world to me." Ye gods, I almost vomited up a finger myself! Oh you don't like vomit? Hm, might want to consider not even starting then! I think this is easily the whiniest book I've ever checked out. And what is my sexuality, why didn't I do this, why didn't I do that, why don't I … hornk. Oh gods, that was a toe, wasn't it?
I was exhausted and sad. I wanted to crawl into my bed and never wake up.
Hell's bells, it takes 128 pages alone just to meet another human. Though we did have oodles of "dialogue" as for the longest time we were treated to double doses of Liv as she talked to herself incessantly! Plus, I don't know how the entire scenario could have been made any more UNREALISTIC. Walking literally across most of an entire southern state without any kind of conflict involving other humans, animals or even a skinned knee? During the apocalypse? I don't care how long it's been and how many have been eradicated (human or not), that is just ridiculous. And don't get me started about entering an area packed to the gills with full and half-zombies. But she done did need to do her some killin' y'all! D-d-d-d-dUMB!!!
Evidence suggests the cure kills more than it saves.
But so much luck to be found! Why every stop had a comfy bed, a cabinet full of edible 'stuff', a change of clothes and even occasionally whiskey, wine and eternally fresh Spam (a veritable feast fit for an epicure)! Oh and naturally there was enough fresh water for all! Look friends, you couldn't even find half of what's described in this lazy story during the pandemic let alone 4 YEARS!!! after the world ended! How all this bounty of riches just magically remained sitting and waiting on some innocent waif to walk by is just beyond me!
I took comfort that my death hadn’t left my kids orphaned.
Bottom-line: life is too short to read bad books and this is one of the worst zombie tales I've come across in quite some time. Yes, I have this continuing interest - more like an addiction honestly - to find digestible (hahaha... ewww...) z-books. But I guess I burned through my good luck earlier this year with the "Warm Bodies" trilogy. Truthfully, I'd have given "Awake" one star for my own pain and suffering but I promised never to do that if the editing were half-decent. So… yay? Anyway, on to bigger and better things (like maybe reading shampoo bottle labels)…
May 26, 2020
Liv wakes up naked, battered, and throwing up fingers. Next to her is a dead soldier missing said fingers. This is the first day of her new life as a human that was formerly a zombie. A cure has been created that can turn a small percentage of zombies back into humans. Those that don’t turn are quickly killed by the same cure.
Liv doesn’t know who she is but starts remembering a little about her life prior to being a zombie and while she was a zombie. She wants to make amends and volunteers to help administer the cure. She meets others like her and prejudices from humans that are worried the former zombies will return to their previous life.
I really enjoyed this story, I was hooked from the moment I learned about the soldier with the missing fingers. I really felt for Liv as she tried to put the pieces of her life back together and deal with the things that she did. I loved the twist about bring the zombies back, you don’t see that one when you think zombie story.
This is a great story that I recommend checking out. I am now a huge Jennifer Reynolds fan and can’t wait to get my hands on anything she writes.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
Liv doesn’t know who she is but starts remembering a little about her life prior to being a zombie and while she was a zombie. She wants to make amends and volunteers to help administer the cure. She meets others like her and prejudices from humans that are worried the former zombies will return to their previous life.
I really enjoyed this story, I was hooked from the moment I learned about the soldier with the missing fingers. I really felt for Liv as she tried to put the pieces of her life back together and deal with the things that she did. I loved the twist about bring the zombies back, you don’t see that one when you think zombie story.
This is a great story that I recommend checking out. I am now a huge Jennifer Reynolds fan and can’t wait to get my hands on anything she writes.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
December 8, 2022
Wonderfully different view
What an interesting book this is. I’ve never seen another book with the view from a human turned zombie…then awaken to the dawning horror of realizing they had indeed been a zombie.
I found the story so interesting I didn’t put it down very often. The main character, Liv, gives us such a touching story. Her memories of the long years she was lost, her guilt, remorse,longing, and her need to do something, anything, to atone for her actions makes this seem almost real.
I wholeheartedly recommend this tale to all.
What an interesting book this is. I’ve never seen another book with the view from a human turned zombie…then awaken to the dawning horror of realizing they had indeed been a zombie.
I found the story so interesting I didn’t put it down very often. The main character, Liv, gives us such a touching story. Her memories of the long years she was lost, her guilt, remorse,longing, and her need to do something, anything, to atone for her actions makes this seem almost real.
I wholeheartedly recommend this tale to all.
March 10, 2025
Awake by Jennifer Reynolds is okay, but I didn’t love it. I’m not a big fan of zombies and will never be a fan of zombies, lol. The story had some interesting moments, but it didn’t really stand out. The other book I read by this author was much better. The idea of Liv waking up with no memory was interesting, but the plot didn’t keep me hooked. Either way, if you're a fan of zombies, this book is defo for you.
August 4, 2023
A different point of. view!
Well this book certainly surprised me, I loved the story line, the characters were interesting and the writing was good. Seeing how a person who was a zombie returns to a normal human life and must fight to try and save as many zombies as possible by injecting them with the cure.
Well this book certainly surprised me, I loved the story line, the characters were interesting and the writing was good. Seeing how a person who was a zombie returns to a normal human life and must fight to try and save as many zombies as possible by injecting them with the cure.
August 17, 2021
Unique
ayerscynthia@bellsouth.net
This was an excellent read. It a completely different take on the zombie apocalypse genre, and the author made it an easy and hard to put down read.
ayerscynthia@bellsouth.net
This was an excellent read. It a completely different take on the zombie apocalypse genre, and the author made it an easy and hard to put down read.
March 14, 2023
Zombie apocalypse with thought
I do enjoy a good Zombie/end of the world as we know it apocalypse. This one was the best I’ve read in a few years. Different in subtle ways , kinda 2.0 version. Enjoy.
I do enjoy a good Zombie/end of the world as we know it apocalypse. This one was the best I’ve read in a few years. Different in subtle ways , kinda 2.0 version. Enjoy.
October 11, 2021
Very unique perspective
This is a great book. The author has a very unique take on the usual zombie apocalypse. And it was very well written. I just really enjoyed it!
This is a great book. The author has a very unique take on the usual zombie apocalypse. And it was very well written. I just really enjoyed it!
November 30, 2021
Amazing can’t put down
Beautifully wrote. Can not put this book down!!!!! One of the best post apocalyptic books I’ve read to date!!! Highly recommended
Beautifully wrote. Can not put this book down!!!!! One of the best post apocalyptic books I’ve read to date!!! Highly recommended
December 8, 2021
Awake, A Review.
What a great story! Well written, an easy read, full details, good characters, a story that pulls you in and sounds real.
What a great story! Well written, an easy read, full details, good characters, a story that pulls you in and sounds real.
May 25, 2022
excellent different take
I really enjoyed this book. It was fast moving and kept me up reading way later than it should have. Highly recommended!
I really enjoyed this book. It was fast moving and kept me up reading way later than it should have. Highly recommended!
Read
June 13, 2022I got to 45% and gave up. It’s a really interesting premise but nothing is happening. We don’t know what happened and it’s just wandering in nothingness.
July 8, 2022
This is really a unique take on zombie apocalypse. The first person narrative allows you to read the story as if it is happening to you.
Original!
Original!
July 11, 2022
Fresh take on the Zombie Genre
I've read quite a few Zombie novels, series etc. This one was very unique, well written and had an interesting story to tell.
I've read quite a few Zombie novels, series etc. This one was very unique, well written and had an interesting story to tell.
April 6, 2023
New and refreshing
Usually zombie stories are about survivors fighting zombies, this one is about a cure zombie survivor trying to cure other zombies.
Usually zombie stories are about survivors fighting zombies, this one is about a cure zombie survivor trying to cure other zombies.
May 8, 2024
Chapters were short, but very well written. Some of the elements seemed to be thrust into the story, without enough backstory or introduction. One character is added this way (I actually thought "What? Wait! Where did they come from???"), and then literally abandoned a few chapters later. They are then name-dropped later in the story as an odd element, almost as an afterthought.
Otherwise, the story is well written, compelling, and draws the reader in. I don't do a lot of reading lately, but this book drew me in, and brought me back time and time again, until I completed it. Kudos to the author, writing is a very hard and thankless profession.
Otherwise, the story is well written, compelling, and draws the reader in. I don't do a lot of reading lately, but this book drew me in, and brought me back time and time again, until I completed it. Kudos to the author, writing is a very hard and thankless profession.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews