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The Spread #2
The Village
The fungus is spreading and life is changing, becoming corrupted...
Continue Ryan and Aaron's story as they flee the cottage by the hill and finally make it to the village where they hope to find safety, but the threat of the quickly spreading fungus is only growing worse, and not everyone in the village welcomes strangers. It's time to meet the locals..
Continue Ryan and Aaron's story as they flee the cottage by the hill and finally make it to the village where they hope to find safety, but the threat of the quickly spreading fungus is only growing worse, and not everyone in the village welcomes strangers. It's time to meet the locals..
199 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 21, 2020
665 people are currently reading
542 people want to read
About the author
Iain Rob Wright
163 books1,813 followersOne of Horror's most respected authors, Iain Rob Wright is the writer of more than forty books, many of them bestsellers. A previous Kindle All-Star and a mainstay in the horror charts, he is a prolific producer of unique and original stories. From his apocalyptic saga The Gates to his claustrophobic revenge thriller ASBO, Iain writes across a broad spectrum of sub genres, creating both beloved series and standalone titles.
With work available in several languages and in audio, Iain Rob Wright is one of the fastest rising stars in horror, but when not writing he is a dedicated family man. Father to Jack and Molly, and husband to Sally, he is often seen sharing his family memories with his fans on Facebook.
To get 6 of his books for free (no strings), just visit: www.iainrobwright.com
With work available in several languages and in audio, Iain Rob Wright is one of the fastest rising stars in horror, but when not writing he is a dedicated family man. Father to Jack and Molly, and husband to Sally, he is often seen sharing his family memories with his fans on Facebook.
To get 6 of his books for free (no strings), just visit: www.iainrobwright.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
November 4, 2022
I was expecting book two to fall short of the first as most often do in a series. However I was blown away. I finished this within 24hrs, could barely put it down. Once again Wright does an amazing job fitting thrills, gore, captivating story line and fantastic character development into 200 pages.
I love how creative his spin on a 'zombie apocalypse' is. Overall this series is a lot of fun to read, I'll be ordering book 3 - left on such a cliffhanger, I need to know what happens next.
I love how creative his spin on a 'zombie apocalypse' is. Overall this series is a lot of fun to read, I'll be ordering book 3 - left on such a cliffhanger, I need to know what happens next.
April 12, 2021
I intend on continuing the series but this book is just a big step down from the first. It’s not even bad, it just has a bunch of problems. People do really dumb things. Repeatedly. The action is sketchy where as in the first book I thought I was done well. The female characters are poorly realized, one of which is introduced as “big boobed teenager”. And there’s just not really a sense of danger or stakes. The ending isn’t so hot either. It’s weird reading this so close after reading Hissers by Ryan C. Thomas, a book that has some similar ideas but does them extremely well. This is like, the book equivalent of a low budget TV movie. I’ve enjoyed several of the author’s books and understand that he writes in a certain style but this just seems below the line.
November 15, 2020
I want to start off this review by saying, I WANTED to like this book, I loved the first installation of this book, but unfortunately I can't say the same for this one.
There are a few redeeming qualities - the new characters are so likeable, the sense of danger was moreso in this book than its predecessor, but unfortunately that's where my positives for this book come to an end.
This book had the opportunity to be amazing but for me, fell short. I am not a fan of plot armour and this book was full of it from all angles, at the end of the book during what should have been the climax of conflict, the tension was taken away due to plot armour, you knew how it would end before reading.
I also couldn't see past the inconsistencies with the writing. If you're going to phonetically write a Scottish accent, keep it up through all dialogue in the book rather than inserting it here and there, almost as if to remind the reader that there's a British/Scottish divide.
My last qualm with this book, but by far the one that annoyed me the most was the drastic difference in the main characters between the last book in the series and this one. I'm not adverse to character changing and evolving, but this was so sudden it came across as unrealistic and left me hating the main characters and wanting to know more about the new, secondary characters that were introduced. Now, maybe this was a good thing, depending on how you look at it. But I went into this book so excited for more of the previous book and to see where Aaron, Ryan and Tom ended up. But by the end I couldn't care.
I wanted to like this book as much as the last, but this just fell so short of what I expected.
There are a few redeeming qualities - the new characters are so likeable, the sense of danger was moreso in this book than its predecessor, but unfortunately that's where my positives for this book come to an end.
This book had the opportunity to be amazing but for me, fell short. I am not a fan of plot armour and this book was full of it from all angles, at the end of the book during what should have been the climax of conflict, the tension was taken away due to plot armour, you knew how it would end before reading.
I also couldn't see past the inconsistencies with the writing. If you're going to phonetically write a Scottish accent, keep it up through all dialogue in the book rather than inserting it here and there, almost as if to remind the reader that there's a British/Scottish divide.
My last qualm with this book, but by far the one that annoyed me the most was the drastic difference in the main characters between the last book in the series and this one. I'm not adverse to character changing and evolving, but this was so sudden it came across as unrealistic and left me hating the main characters and wanting to know more about the new, secondary characters that were introduced. Now, maybe this was a good thing, depending on how you look at it. But I went into this book so excited for more of the previous book and to see where Aaron, Ryan and Tom ended up. But by the end I couldn't care.
I wanted to like this book as much as the last, but this just fell so short of what I expected.
October 24, 2020
"His body had already been beaten, but now his soul was beginning to sicken. If this nightmare didn’t end soon…"
I am not surprised at all!
The story continues and we meet a whole bunch of new people. Several of which I think are brilliant!
There was so much action and so much horror, which is always a bonus!
SPOLIER! (Sort of)
“A beast. An unholy behemoth. Run, lad, run.”
Just when you think it's not going to get any worse something bigger and more horrific comes along 😁
5* without a doubt!
Highly Recommend
Not sure I can wait too long for the next instalment 😬
I am not surprised at all!
The story continues and we meet a whole bunch of new people. Several of which I think are brilliant!
There was so much action and so much horror, which is always a bonus!
SPOLIER! (Sort of)
“A beast. An unholy behemoth. Run, lad, run.”
Just when you think it's not going to get any worse something bigger and more horrific comes along 😁
5* without a doubt!
Highly Recommend
Not sure I can wait too long for the next instalment 😬
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2025
The second installment of The Spread picks up right where we left off, no pause for breath, no mercy. The creeping, corruptive fungus is getting smarter, stronger, and far more horrifying, and the sense of claustrophobic dread in The Village really ramps things up.
dole-queue William Wallace.”
That first death absolutely gutted me—it hit harder than expected and reminded me why Iain Rob Wright is so good at writing human pain amid the chaos. I loved seeing more of Fi’s vulnerability here and the growing bond between her and Ryan. Their dynamic added much-needed heart to all the rot and ruin. Even Cameron, who I wasn’t sure about at first, ended up surprising me by the end.
Fast-paced, emotional, and still drenched in dread—The Village proves this series isn’t slowing down anytime soon. I’m both dreading and desperate for the next part.
dole-queue William Wallace.”
That first death absolutely gutted me—it hit harder than expected and reminded me why Iain Rob Wright is so good at writing human pain amid the chaos. I loved seeing more of Fi’s vulnerability here and the growing bond between her and Ryan. Their dynamic added much-needed heart to all the rot and ruin. Even Cameron, who I wasn’t sure about at first, ended up surprising me by the end.
Fast-paced, emotional, and still drenched in dread—The Village proves this series isn’t slowing down anytime soon. I’m both dreading and desperate for the next part.
January 24, 2024
The fungus infection continues with a rapid pace.
The first book had a more personal and tragic feeling than this second volume, but overall the things weren`t so bad.
People are dying and we`re still struggling to live.
The big question, for me at least, is that this is the only place in the world were this things happen or there are multiple " invasion" sites?!
It remains to be seen.
The first book had a more personal and tragic feeling than this second volume, but overall the things weren`t so bad.
People are dying and we`re still struggling to live.
The big question, for me at least, is that this is the only place in the world were this things happen or there are multiple " invasion" sites?!
It remains to be seen.
January 8, 2021
I really enjoyed book one and although there was more “constant danger” in this one, it felt like there was no story.
And, my biggest pet peeve...the ending sucked.
And, my biggest pet peeve...the ending sucked.
March 24, 2021
The Village: The Spread, Book 2
By Iain Rob Wright
Genre - Fiction/Horror
Pages - 204
Format - Print (Paperback)
Publication Information - Independently Published (October 20, 2020), ISBN-13: 979-8550324622
Rating - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reviewed by - William C. Bitner, Jr. https://booksinmylibraryblog.wordpres...
I’m really enjoying this series. Although I’m only two books in there have been plot changes galore, as well as plots within plots. Iain is very good at tying up the loose ends of one situation only to surprise his reader with yet another. Toward the end of this installment he gives us a sense of something being accomplished while springing more surprises on us and adding more twists to an already winding road. Another thing that Iain does so well is character development. Each of his characters has a backstory. They don’t just exist to fill a part in the action. They have a part in the action, the background and the outcome of the plot(s). Also, Iain is not afraid to kill off a character...he also surprises us with a character surviving unimaginable odds. This is an interesting, entertaining and well re-imagined idea on the zombie theme. And the introduction of a multi-headed (heads of the deceased) creature towards the end of this installment was spine-chilling but very welcome. I’m so looking forward to the continuing books in this series.
From the back cover - The fungus is spreading and life is changing, becoming corrupted...
Continue Ryan and Aaron's story as they flee the cottage by the hill and finally make it to the village where they hope to find safety, but the threat of the quickly spreading fungus is only growing worse, and not everyone in the village welcomes strangers. It's time to meet the locals..
About the Author - One of Horror's most respected authors, Iain Rob Wright is the writer of more than twenty books (I own about 30), many of them bestsellers. A previous Kindle All-Star and a mainstay in the horror charts, he is a prolific producer of unique and original stories. From his apocalyptic saga The Gates to his claustrophobic revenge thriller ASBO, Iain writes across a broad spectrum of sub genres, creating both beloved series and standalone titles.
With work available in several languages and in audio, Iain Rob Wright is one of the fastest rising stars in horror, but when not writing he is a dedicated family man. Father to Jack and Molly, and husband to Sally.
Other books by Iain Rob Wright - Animal Kingdom, A - Z of Horror, 2389, Holes in the Ground (with J. A. Konrath), Sam, ABSO, The Final Winter, The Housemates, Sea Sick, Ravage, Savage, The Picture Frame, Wings of Sorrow, The Gates, Legion, Extinction, Defiance, Resurgence, Rebirth, TAR, House Beneath the Bridge, The Peeling, Blood on the Bar, Escape!, Dark Ride, 12 Steps, Soft Target, Hot Zone, End Play & The Hill (The Spread, Book 1).
By Iain Rob Wright
Genre - Fiction/Horror
Pages - 204
Format - Print (Paperback)
Publication Information - Independently Published (October 20, 2020), ISBN-13: 979-8550324622
Rating - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reviewed by - William C. Bitner, Jr. https://booksinmylibraryblog.wordpres...
I’m really enjoying this series. Although I’m only two books in there have been plot changes galore, as well as plots within plots. Iain is very good at tying up the loose ends of one situation only to surprise his reader with yet another. Toward the end of this installment he gives us a sense of something being accomplished while springing more surprises on us and adding more twists to an already winding road. Another thing that Iain does so well is character development. Each of his characters has a backstory. They don’t just exist to fill a part in the action. They have a part in the action, the background and the outcome of the plot(s). Also, Iain is not afraid to kill off a character...he also surprises us with a character surviving unimaginable odds. This is an interesting, entertaining and well re-imagined idea on the zombie theme. And the introduction of a multi-headed (heads of the deceased) creature towards the end of this installment was spine-chilling but very welcome. I’m so looking forward to the continuing books in this series.
From the back cover - The fungus is spreading and life is changing, becoming corrupted...
Continue Ryan and Aaron's story as they flee the cottage by the hill and finally make it to the village where they hope to find safety, but the threat of the quickly spreading fungus is only growing worse, and not everyone in the village welcomes strangers. It's time to meet the locals..
About the Author - One of Horror's most respected authors, Iain Rob Wright is the writer of more than twenty books (I own about 30), many of them bestsellers. A previous Kindle All-Star and a mainstay in the horror charts, he is a prolific producer of unique and original stories. From his apocalyptic saga The Gates to his claustrophobic revenge thriller ASBO, Iain writes across a broad spectrum of sub genres, creating both beloved series and standalone titles.
With work available in several languages and in audio, Iain Rob Wright is one of the fastest rising stars in horror, but when not writing he is a dedicated family man. Father to Jack and Molly, and husband to Sally.
Other books by Iain Rob Wright - Animal Kingdom, A - Z of Horror, 2389, Holes in the Ground (with J. A. Konrath), Sam, ABSO, The Final Winter, The Housemates, Sea Sick, Ravage, Savage, The Picture Frame, Wings of Sorrow, The Gates, Legion, Extinction, Defiance, Resurgence, Rebirth, TAR, House Beneath the Bridge, The Peeling, Blood on the Bar, Escape!, Dark Ride, 12 Steps, Soft Target, Hot Zone, End Play & The Hill (The Spread, Book 1).
September 28, 2021
I've read a few zombie books where the undead flesh of the dead combine together to make a super mutant giant zombie. Iain Rob Wright does it again here, but with green, gooey fungus. With a few hard, Scottish accents to boot. This was a fun addition to the series. The third book is already out on KU, so I'm going to indulge in the green goodness.
March 1, 2024
4.5
This was a great followup to the first book, the pace and action of the story is great. Fast easy reads when the plot keeps advancing. Looking forward to continuing the series to see how things progress
This was a great followup to the first book, the pace and action of the story is great. Fast easy reads when the plot keeps advancing. Looking forward to continuing the series to see how things progress
April 2, 2022
So much fun!
I’m really enjoying this story by Ian Rob Wright! It’s got wonderful characters and lots of creepy contagion. Ready to see what our band of survivors face next!
I’m really enjoying this story by Ian Rob Wright! It’s got wonderful characters and lots of creepy contagion. Ready to see what our band of survivors face next!
November 7, 2020
Starting to pick up....
Ugh.... the one thing I hate about these types of series stories is that you have to wait so bloody long for the next chapter.
This second book was better than the first. Iain has this incredible ability to create intriguing characters and colourful landscapes for their apocalypse. It’s like a horror soap opera. Completely addictive.
This isn’t my favorite series, by any means, but that’s only because Iain has so many classics to choose from. Anyone new to Iain Rob Wright should start with this series and then move to Hell on Earth, follow it up with the Damian stories, and wrap it up with his one-off tales like “Animal Kingdom”, “Escape”, “Housemates”, “House Beneath the Bridge”.
Ugh.... the one thing I hate about these types of series stories is that you have to wait so bloody long for the next chapter.
This second book was better than the first. Iain has this incredible ability to create intriguing characters and colourful landscapes for their apocalypse. It’s like a horror soap opera. Completely addictive.
This isn’t my favorite series, by any means, but that’s only because Iain has so many classics to choose from. Anyone new to Iain Rob Wright should start with this series and then move to Hell on Earth, follow it up with the Damian stories, and wrap it up with his one-off tales like “Animal Kingdom”, “Escape”, “Housemates”, “House Beneath the Bridge”.
October 24, 2020
Fantastic 2nd book in the series, can't wait to read book 3 when it's released in March
November 17, 2020
Second book to this series and I read it in a day only to find out book 3 doesn’t come out till March 2021! 😭😭
April 25, 2023
4.5 stars
With the bachelor party having fallen by the wayside and survival becoming the main aim for the weekend we now find Ryan focus on protecting his brother and getting as many of his party to safety but having reached the village and finding the green fungus has spread and that they are not very welcome it is going to see them pushed to limits they can't even imagine.
The fact this horror sees a story that flows so well and developing in a way that draws the reader in and desperate to continue the journey with characters who you develop an attachment to thanks to excellent writing. The small markdown is for small editing issues but this is an excellent continuation of this exciting series.
With the bachelor party having fallen by the wayside and survival becoming the main aim for the weekend we now find Ryan focus on protecting his brother and getting as many of his party to safety but having reached the village and finding the green fungus has spread and that they are not very welcome it is going to see them pushed to limits they can't even imagine.
The fact this horror sees a story that flows so well and developing in a way that draws the reader in and desperate to continue the journey with characters who you develop an attachment to thanks to excellent writing. The small markdown is for small editing issues but this is an excellent continuation of this exciting series.
March 1, 2021
The 2nd in the series. After a horrible bachelor's weekend, leaving some dead and some turned into horrible monsters, Tom, Ryan and his brother make it down the hill into the village, hoping for help. There, they barely make it into an old church before "the greens" (the creatures) find them once more. There, they meet some other people hiding out, and plan their escape. Eventually, they think they are on the way home, only to be met by the army, who declares them to be in quarantine. This is where the book ends, leaving you looking for the next book.
February 11, 2022
This is a good follow up to The Hill with some interesting new characters. There is also a scene near the beginning that shocked me and made me have a Game of Thrones feel like anyone could die at any time. A lot of action here which sometimes felt like filler but I am excited to see where this plot goes from here.
May 24, 2025
Ryan links up with some villagers and they flee from one building to another eluding the zombies. More casualties. Reunions. Splits. A helicopter sighting. Friction and faction form. Grievance and vengeance is in the air. On to book 3.
May 7, 2024
3.75 stars
September 27, 2025
Another nail biting instalment!! Teamwork, friendship and terror when up against the infected! The pace and action kept me gripped going. Looking forward to continuing this series!
February 6, 2025
Im gonna start this off with 2 qoutes:
"Her large breasts and hips were at odds with her narrow waist and diminutive height, which gave her an odd overall shape"
"said Chloe, breasts, black bag, and pink hair bouncing and swinging"
Other than the random unnecessary sexualization of this "young girl" (i cant find the age anymore so if anyone sees it pls lmk), the book was pretty great.
If you are a fan of season 2 of the walking dead (the farm one), you might really enjoy it! It's fast-paced, entertaining and got some good characters and plottwists!
Genuinely really enjoyed this!!
"Her large breasts and hips were at odds with her narrow waist and diminutive height, which gave her an odd overall shape"
"said Chloe, breasts, black bag, and pink hair bouncing and swinging"
Other than the random unnecessary sexualization of this "young girl" (i cant find the age anymore so if anyone sees it pls lmk), the book was pretty great.
If you are a fan of season 2 of the walking dead (the farm one), you might really enjoy it! It's fast-paced, entertaining and got some good characters and plottwists!
Genuinely really enjoyed this!!
March 23, 2025
This would have been a four star read for me had there not been at least five instances of the teen girl character's breasts bouncing boobily. I understood why the first book didn't have any physically present female characters due to the stag party plot but I was really hoping this didn't fall into the male horror writers can't write female characters trope. I like Fiona and I like Chloe despite the boob comments but Helen just seems to be a half-assed grab at having human secondary antagonists. A mother losing her child becoming twisted could have been fun if Wright hadn't made her into a Disney villain twirling her mustache.
July 17, 2021
3.5/5
I enjoyed reading the first book in this series, so I gave this one a shot.
Unfortunately, I didn't like it quite as much as the first one, though I did still have plenty of fun along the way.
Continuing from where the first book left off, Ryan and Aaron have arrived at the village expecting to find safety. Instead they find the same deadly fungus that they escaped from up on the hill. Desperate to survive this fungal plague, they continue to fight for their lives to survive and find true safety.
There were some really good elements in this book, though some didn't work quite as well as the first time.
The characters overall made sense. Ryan, Aaron, and those who survived from the first book feel the same, only changed since discovering the fungus. Plenty of new characters are introduced, some of which I enjoyed and others who didn't feel all that important. Still it's an overall good job for the characters. My only qualm is that I wish there was still some more depth from Ryan and Aaron. We got plenty of that in the first book, but this time around the book didn't really build much more on their characters. It feels like they've been maxed out a bit.
The plot was fun, but sometimes I had issues. I felt that the action could get so fast-paced that it was too jumpy from one action to the next. I had trouble forming mental images of what was happening in small spots due to that. I also think that the mentality of characters actions was suspect in a few spots. I'm not going to give specific examples for fear of spoiling things, but there were distinct chapters where I felt the actions chosen didn't make enough sense to me, especially if there's an easier way out of the predicament.
That being said, this book's brisk pace kept my heart pumping. The horror element is very much present throughout with some new surprises along the way, and I'm dying to see what happens next in this scary series!
I enjoyed reading the first book in this series, so I gave this one a shot.
Unfortunately, I didn't like it quite as much as the first one, though I did still have plenty of fun along the way.
Continuing from where the first book left off, Ryan and Aaron have arrived at the village expecting to find safety. Instead they find the same deadly fungus that they escaped from up on the hill. Desperate to survive this fungal plague, they continue to fight for their lives to survive and find true safety.
There were some really good elements in this book, though some didn't work quite as well as the first time.
The characters overall made sense. Ryan, Aaron, and those who survived from the first book feel the same, only changed since discovering the fungus. Plenty of new characters are introduced, some of which I enjoyed and others who didn't feel all that important. Still it's an overall good job for the characters. My only qualm is that I wish there was still some more depth from Ryan and Aaron. We got plenty of that in the first book, but this time around the book didn't really build much more on their characters. It feels like they've been maxed out a bit.
The plot was fun, but sometimes I had issues. I felt that the action could get so fast-paced that it was too jumpy from one action to the next. I had trouble forming mental images of what was happening in small spots due to that. I also think that the mentality of characters actions was suspect in a few spots. I'm not going to give specific examples for fear of spoiling things, but there were distinct chapters where I felt the actions chosen didn't make enough sense to me, especially if there's an easier way out of the predicament.
That being said, this book's brisk pace kept my heart pumping. The horror element is very much present throughout with some new surprises along the way, and I'm dying to see what happens next in this scary series!
November 5, 2024
Following on from the first book in the series, The Hill, the story continues as the original bachelor party—well, those still alive—make their way into the nearby village.
Ryan and brother Aaron now find themselves in the village, a remote Sottish Village that has all the basics but also some of the same fungi-covered humans that they had left behind at the cottage. There are also the same corkscrew-type devices that seem to be the origin of the oil, fungi and four-legged insects!
Ryan and Aaron make their way to the church where they see there are survivors, Aaron doesn't make it and has to take care of himself. Ryan tries all he can to get to his brother and he is sort of helped by Cameron a big Scotsman with a hatred of "the English", a vicar, and a handful of others.
Things in this book take a turn for the worse, the danger of infection from this mutant fungus stuff is still very evident. The chance of being cut and infected becomes an increasing possibility as when humans have been infected they do morph into something other world.
Again the sense of dread and fear is abundant throughout the book, there is a sense of doom as the group try to survive and also piece together any little hint or reason behind this attack or what may work to stop it.
Will help come? Is this a country-wide problem or is it isolated? In any case, how can this be stopped before more people are infected?
Another quick read at less than 200 pages but still addictive and fast-paced. There is a sense of horror to it and I am really enjoying this book and look forward to seeing what happens next. I would happily recommend this book.
Ryan and brother Aaron now find themselves in the village, a remote Sottish Village that has all the basics but also some of the same fungi-covered humans that they had left behind at the cottage. There are also the same corkscrew-type devices that seem to be the origin of the oil, fungi and four-legged insects!
Ryan and Aaron make their way to the church where they see there are survivors, Aaron doesn't make it and has to take care of himself. Ryan tries all he can to get to his brother and he is sort of helped by Cameron a big Scotsman with a hatred of "the English", a vicar, and a handful of others.
Things in this book take a turn for the worse, the danger of infection from this mutant fungus stuff is still very evident. The chance of being cut and infected becomes an increasing possibility as when humans have been infected they do morph into something other world.
Again the sense of dread and fear is abundant throughout the book, there is a sense of doom as the group try to survive and also piece together any little hint or reason behind this attack or what may work to stop it.
Will help come? Is this a country-wide problem or is it isolated? In any case, how can this be stopped before more people are infected?
Another quick read at less than 200 pages but still addictive and fast-paced. There is a sense of horror to it and I am really enjoying this book and look forward to seeing what happens next. I would happily recommend this book.
March 2, 2022
I thought the previous novel was ok, and promised myself if the sequel every went on sale I'd pick it up to see if things got any better. In a way they did - the setting here is more interesting and I was curious enough to see it through to the end. Was it worth it? Honestly no.
Nothing particularly original going on here, think the Walking Dead meets John Carpenter's The Thing and you'll have an idea what to expect. Zombie type creatures with tentacles wandering around trying to infect a ragtag group of survivors as they try to escape the village.
Why the low rating? First, I don't see the need to take the Lord's name in vain and it happens multiple times here. Also the ending cliffhanger was absolutely horrific. I thought the previous one was bad but this topped it, and not in a good way. It's been a long time since a book ending made me angry but this one achieved it. Some of you reading this may think that since it's a series, I should have expected this. Perhaps, but there are much better ways to close a book and have your main story continue, rather then doing it in the middle of an action scene (for the second time now) and forcing your reader to purchase the next one to get any kind of closure. This guy obviously has talent, and I may try something else of his in the future, but I'm not going to keep dealing with these cliffhangers every book. Stopping with this series here.
Nothing particularly original going on here, think the Walking Dead meets John Carpenter's The Thing and you'll have an idea what to expect. Zombie type creatures with tentacles wandering around trying to infect a ragtag group of survivors as they try to escape the village.
Why the low rating? First, I don't see the need to take the Lord's name in vain and it happens multiple times here. Also the ending cliffhanger was absolutely horrific. I thought the previous one was bad but this topped it, and not in a good way. It's been a long time since a book ending made me angry but this one achieved it. Some of you reading this may think that since it's a series, I should have expected this. Perhaps, but there are much better ways to close a book and have your main story continue, rather then doing it in the middle of an action scene (for the second time now) and forcing your reader to purchase the next one to get any kind of closure. This guy obviously has talent, and I may try something else of his in the future, but I'm not going to keep dealing with these cliffhangers every book. Stopping with this series here.
July 24, 2025
In book 2 of the series, Ryan and young brother Aaron have reached the village, but in the cliffhanger at the end of book 1 they discovered it, too, had been invaded by the fungus and there is plenty of danger from attacking 'greens' as people are calling the transformed humans affected by the fungus. They find temporary shelter in a church with others, including their friend Tom, but he has a sort of character transplant in this book, becoming antagonistic. Their shelter is soon breached and they are forced to flee, taking brief shelter in other parts of the village. Meanwhile, an extremely nasty man is in charge of various people at the pub and not above shooting anyone who annoys him.
I was disappointed with the direction taken with Loobey who, at the end of book 1, seemed to be recovering and staying human despite infection. I thought that could have been taken in an interesting direction but instead that possible subplot fizzled out. I also thought there was an 'easy win' in killing off a certain character at the church for shock value and it would have been more of a challenge to the writer - and more interesting to the reader - to enable that character to survive for at least the rest of the book. I also wasn't a fan of various descriptions of the female characters who made their appearance after the all-male cast of book 1: "Chloe, breasts, black bag, and pink hair bouncing and swinging" is one example. All told, I can only rate this a 2 star "OK" read.
I was disappointed with the direction taken with Loobey who, at the end of book 1, seemed to be recovering and staying human despite infection. I thought that could have been taken in an interesting direction but instead that possible subplot fizzled out. I also thought there was an 'easy win' in killing off a certain character at the church for shock value and it would have been more of a challenge to the writer - and more interesting to the reader - to enable that character to survive for at least the rest of the book. I also wasn't a fan of various descriptions of the female characters who made their appearance after the all-male cast of book 1: "Chloe, breasts, black bag, and pink hair bouncing and swinging" is one example. All told, I can only rate this a 2 star "OK" read.
January 27, 2022
Manchester Drunkards + Scotch Villagers vs Alien Zombie Slime Monsters....And each other??
Started off full of excitement for this next installment, changing it to the local village seemed like a good step and there could be dozen of more silly fight scenes.
Unfortunately, a child is killed early in the novel and this casts a LONG shadow over the rest of the book.
The silliness is gone, the constant pining for the younger brother grates after a while and the annoying as hell alpha male scotchy, going on and on and ON about bashing the English, just gets old fast.
They move from the church, to the community centre, to the pub, and finally a petrol station, whilst never thinking once to fortify the doors or windows, and somehow the creatures get inside?
Some one liners are repeated from the previous story (calm down and have a drink) but the aliens are a bit more varied and vicious.
We learn a bit more about the slime, it can be burned out or amputated, and there is a large uber slime monster near the end.
The tensions between the characters appear real and honest - old friends are lost but new friends are made.
A decent bridge from the first novel, and hopefully the third installment brings a good ending but this one, quite literally, sagged in the middle.
Started off full of excitement for this next installment, changing it to the local village seemed like a good step and there could be dozen of more silly fight scenes.
Unfortunately, a child is killed early in the novel and this casts a LONG shadow over the rest of the book.
The silliness is gone, the constant pining for the younger brother grates after a while and the annoying as hell alpha male scotchy, going on and on and ON about bashing the English, just gets old fast.
They move from the church, to the community centre, to the pub, and finally a petrol station, whilst never thinking once to fortify the doors or windows, and somehow the creatures get inside?
Some one liners are repeated from the previous story (calm down and have a drink) but the aliens are a bit more varied and vicious.
We learn a bit more about the slime, it can be burned out or amputated, and there is a large uber slime monster near the end.
The tensions between the characters appear real and honest - old friends are lost but new friends are made.
A decent bridge from the first novel, and hopefully the third installment brings a good ending but this one, quite literally, sagged in the middle.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2022
While reading the first book in this series, The Hill, I thought the exact same thing that I read in another reader’s review of this second book—that it is “like the book equivalent of a low budget TV movie.” I still think the same about the series thus far after finishing the second book The Village.
While the overall premise itself is interesting, it never rises to the point of being clever or fascinating for me. And I do love a good zombie(ish)/dystopian series. I really hope the remainder of the series explains the fungus and all that comes with it. I need the premise to make some kind of sense. But I am struggling to suspend disbelief in order to lose myself in the story. But I do intend to continue with the third book and ultimately finish reading this 6-book series.
While the overall premise itself is interesting, it never rises to the point of being clever or fascinating for me. And I do love a good zombie(ish)/dystopian series. I really hope the remainder of the series explains the fungus and all that comes with it. I need the premise to make some kind of sense. But I am struggling to suspend disbelief in order to lose myself in the story. But I do intend to continue with the third book and ultimately finish reading this 6-book series.
February 18, 2021
This book picks up directly where book 1 left off. The survivors find their way to the village only to find the infection was already there. Of course, Ryan and his brother are strangers to the villagers, less so because they are not from there, but because they are "English" (i.e. not from Scottland). This establishes some further tension (as if there wasn't already enough) as they all try to survive.
There is still individual introspection into the type of people they were and are becoming. They are discovering that they are changing (not directly because of the virus) but because of the circumstances. Some are finding they are willing to help their new-found friends while others are out for themselves. Decent character development.
As expected, the book ends with a cliffhanger, and unlike most reviewers, I don't need to wait for book 3. I actually liked the second book better than the first. On to book 3.
There is still individual introspection into the type of people they were and are becoming. They are discovering that they are changing (not directly because of the virus) but because of the circumstances. Some are finding they are willing to help their new-found friends while others are out for themselves. Decent character development.
As expected, the book ends with a cliffhanger, and unlike most reviewers, I don't need to wait for book 3. I actually liked the second book better than the first. On to book 3.
November 14, 2021
Reading Stuff 'n' Things
Following on from "The Hill", the first in this series and one which I do think you need to have read in order to get the full picture of just what the heck has gone on, this is another great book from Iain Rob Wright.
Here we have the survivors from "The Hill" making their way to "The Village" in the hope of safety and salvation. What they get is quite the opposite.
Iain creates brilliant characters each with their own interesting back story and all with their part to play. He also creates suspense, tension and the unexpected - one thing I have learned with Iain's books is not to get too comfortable with any of the characters no matter how big or small ... no one is safe!
This is an interesting take on the zombie theme and one which I am looking forward to seeing where it goes with subsequent books - I'm here for the ride and I know it's going to be bumpy!
Following on from "The Hill", the first in this series and one which I do think you need to have read in order to get the full picture of just what the heck has gone on, this is another great book from Iain Rob Wright.
Here we have the survivors from "The Hill" making their way to "The Village" in the hope of safety and salvation. What they get is quite the opposite.
Iain creates brilliant characters each with their own interesting back story and all with their part to play. He also creates suspense, tension and the unexpected - one thing I have learned with Iain's books is not to get too comfortable with any of the characters no matter how big or small ... no one is safe!
This is an interesting take on the zombie theme and one which I am looking forward to seeing where it goes with subsequent books - I'm here for the ride and I know it's going to be bumpy!
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