The Road

The Spread #4

by Iain Rob Wright

How do you go on, when there's nothing left?
The fungus has all but won. Only a few remain, surviving however they can.
Aaron and his companions escaped the nightmare of Choirikell, only to enter a brand new hell at an army encampment near Edinburgh named Culdrake. It has big fences and lots of guns, but Aaron can't help but wonder how long before it all comes crashing down. The people in camp aren't protected; they're sitting ducks.

Genres: Horror, Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Post Apocalyptic, Zombies, Fiction, Aliens

244 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 29, 2021

About the author

One 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

Reviews

[Netanella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another emotionally charged, action packed installment of "The Spread," a series of book about a green alien fungus that is threatening all life on earth, and wreaking havoc on a group of survivors in a small village in Scotland. There's less humor in this one, and more action, as events quickly spiral towards their conclusion. I'm not sure how I felt about Helper, Friend, Ally, the strange three-legged blue alien that appears, deus ex machina, to save the day and move the plot along.

Time, and the last book in the series, due out in March 2022, will tell.

This one ends with a strong cliffhanger.

[Anda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am so confused.
I am thorn between never touching this series again and getting the next book whole typing this.
2 things: 1) aliens 2) the writing

1) Why is there a talking alien in this book?
I hated that so so
so so
so much
in the beginning
but honestly grew (pun not intended) on me by the end of the book so ammmm yeah? cool ig?

2) I dont know if I love this person s writing or deeply hate it. There is so many unnecessary sexual references. Just why. Also WHY DO THEY ALWAYS INVOLVE SOME SORT OF CONTEXT WITH CHILDREN. It is pretty subtle but why tf do i know what this 15 yo boy felt down there when this adult woman patted him.
so unnecessary and for what.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The saga continues! And I’m still drawn in and wanting to see where it goes. We’ve lost some people and gained some, and some have futures that look in question. All in all a cliffhanger-filled addition that has me wanting more.

[Kiera ☠ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid continuation of this series. Introduced to more characters & we finally get to learn more about the fungus/alien virus.

Fun, gross, emotional & gut wrenching just like the other books thus far. Can’t wait to read more of this series!

[William Bitner Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Road (The Spread, Book 4)
By Iain Rob Wright

Genre - Fiction/Horror/Science Fiction/British
Format - Print (Paperback)
Pages - 242
Publication Information - Independently Published (October 28, 2021), ISBN-13: 979-8755466639
Overall Rating - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reviewed by William C. Bitner, Jr. (https://booksinmylibraryblog.wordpres...)

Book 4 of The Spread series continues without interruption and is packed with even more mystery, suspense, and action. This series does not disappoint and continues to entertain with fresh new plots and some interesting and engaging characters.

From the back cover - “How do you go on, when there's nothing left?

The fungus has all but won. Only a few remain, surviving however they can.
Aaron and his companions escaped the nightmare of Choirikell, only to enter a brand new hell at an army encampment near Edinburgh named Culdrake. It has big fences and lots of guns, but Aaron can't help but wonder how long before it all comes crashing down. The people in camp aren't protected; they're sitting ducks.”

About the Author - One of Horror's most respected authors, Iain Rob Wright is the writer of more than twenty 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.

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), The Village (The Spread, Book 2) and The Stand (The Spread, Book 3) and Witch: The Cursed Manuscript.

[bookish_emmxx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love this series. Awesome author as well.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

You get to like the characters in this book over time. The Alien is cute.

[HJ Bramma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back on form after the Stand which I felt was a little slower, I am so invested in the characters I can’t stop reading I need to see how it ends

[Jo Morrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok. It’s the 4th in a series and it’s all a bit samey now. Even with the introduction of a new “good” alien - dunno if I care what happens to them all in the end now!

[Asheley · Rating 3 out of 5]

An ok read but I’m finding this series is getting weaker as I read each book. Quick easy read but got a bit bored half way through.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another fabulous book in The Spread series. It introduces some new characters and loses others. It is another fast-paced book with more shocks and unexpected events.

I enjoyed this one as the author gave an account of events from a different perspective. Up to now, the author has stuck with events in Scotland, but it was great to see what was happening in the areas that did not have any mutant fungi or infected people running amok.

Aaron is again struggling to come to terms with what is happening, but with Cameron beside him, he has support. Holed up in a safe position behind fences, with a moat, lookout towers and plenty of weapons they are as safe as they can be. A newcomer to the mix brings another angle to the story and he is referred to as Helper as his English is not great.

Trying to keep going while the alien fungus is creeping closer and the infected animals, birds and once-humans are increasing is a tall order. There is less and less of what there should be and this is becoming a huge problem. There is however some light at the end of this tunnel though as there are still the odd few people who are heading North who have been careful and kept themselves safe. Where there are still people alive there is a chance, but it is getting slimmer and slimmer.

This is a great 4th book and I do like the addition of the Helper character, it was needed to be able to move the story along towards another ending. The fighting is still intense and the author brings out human nature as another force to be reckoned with.

If you are a fan of sci-fi, apocalyptic and horror genres with an alien presence then have a read of this series. I have been really enjoying it and I would definitely, recommend this one.

[Hazel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading Stuff 'n' Things

Well, once again, Iain has excelled with this the fourth in the series of The Spread.

I thoroughly enjoyed getting back into this gripping story and finding out what hazards are set to befall the survivors and who Iain is going to dispatch next and how! It wasn't long before I was hooked.

The Road is absolutely teeming with heart-in-the-mouth moments; the fungus isn't the only enemy as our survivors find out to their cost. The story moves on at pace and is full of tension and numerous scenes of peril that had me holding my breath at times. The characters, both good and bad, are excellent and no one feels like they have been just dropped in to fill the story.

I can't wait for book 5 to see what comes next but I am sure it won't be plain sailing or all sweetness and light but I guess I will just have to wait ... impatiently!!

My thanks must go to Iain for accepting me into his "street team" and for providing me with a copy in return for comments and an honest, unbiased and unedited review.

[cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot wait for book 5 and how it all will work out.

So, Helper. I didn't dream of an alien making an appearance, and that the alien would be a little blue friend. Ally. Helper. Friend. How I like it! This little friend really works well inside the plot, after all, we're talking about an alien invasion, so why wouldn't an alien itself show up?

Talking about characters, I didn't trust any new characters (except Helper and Ranger, of course) because at this point of the chaos, everyone forgot the laws and human rights! And I didn't want our protagonists to die, so I was screaming, both frustrated and worried when they were attacked or scammed.

I just--! I really, really enjoyed this book. I experienced relief, sadness, worry. My heart ached everytime Nancy and Sophie thought of Ryan (and Aaron, but we know what happened in The Stand).

I couldn't put it down at times, and it brought back memories of how I used to love reading at night, when everything is silent.

[Johann · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Insanity Continues!!

The "greens" are everywhere, but small groups of humanity are still alive and kicking. This particular group that is led by a very headstrong fifteen year old from Manchester has been through hell as they learn more about the infestation, they come to realize something they've never had before all this started and that is hope. But is this hope a false one that is leading them all to their doom?

Enjoying this series very much. I'm being vague on purpose so as not to spoil anything but this story follows some survivors that you learn to love along the way.
This is horror at its core. Do not get to attached to anyone because anything, and I mean anything, can happen from chapter to chapter. Just when you think you have the plot figured out...it thickens again and your back to square one.
This is not some typical zombie series but has a lot of unique elements to it's storyline.
Highly recommend reading the whole series if you haven't started already!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW The Road (The Spread, book 4) by Iain Rob Wright continues with the plight of Aaron, Cameron and the rest of the group when Aaron decides to go in search of Sophie and Nancy on his own but he is joined by the rest of the group as they would not let him go on his own.

A shiny blue alien named helper has joined the group and is on their side helping to destroy the fungus and the greens but the land around them is being engulfed with fungus and now birds, rats and foxes have been infected, even a scratch from a cat can spread the deadly fungus.

Unbeknown to Aaron, Sophie and Nancy are making their way from Manchester in search of Ryan and Aaron and it is a perilous journey.

Final aired report that both Nancy and Sophie heard was that earth invasion by alien life form from space in the form of a green fungus spreading to the four corners of the globe.

I loved Ranger the dog who joined the group with her owner, Teddy. I also loved it when Cameron calls Aaron "Little English."

What lies ahead for the remaining group of survivors only time will tell.

[FeedMyReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

The fungus has continued its spread and the undead continue to roam the lands but at least the army have managed to create a station in Edinburgh to hold the evil at bay thanks to the large fences, the moats dug around the encampment and the use of the bleach and chemicals to kill the fungus as much as possible. Each day sees the survivors fear attack from the undead, the animals and even the army itself as people go stir crazy but is this really the best option or are they simply sitting ducks?

Another amazing addition to this horror series that keeps you guessing and new twists coming. The story itself has not dropped in quality and the smallest of editing issues are the bit that holds this from being a five star read but as this is another shining example of the quality of work that Iain Rob Wright is creating and why he is considered to be one of the best in the horror genre.

[Jesse Roeszler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fast paced, action packed entry in The Spread series. Although this one took a very different route to the last. An Alien. A bloody talking alien. And no one seems to care. I understand that it isn’t much of a surprise to our crew, but it’s still hard to wrap my head around.

This book was upsetting due to the absence of Ryan. His younger brother, Aaron, had to step up and become a man. He really became the protagonist everyone needs. A fighter. Someone willing to risk his life to stop the blanket of fungus consuming the earth. I enjoyed this book very much and it’s always a good breather in between larger books. I’m loving this series at the moment and it’s really fun and always interesting.

But the alien. WTF.

[Molly-Jane Eley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok so I got a few pages in and thought this was going to be a DNF, which is surprising as I loved the first three, but the introduction of an actual alien had me shook. But I persisted as I have been invested in this series, and I am so so glad I did!

I haven’t really seen a drop off in storyline, character development or writing yet, which is surprising in the 4th book in a series!

Can’t wait to read the next!

Favourite quote:
“Grief makes us human. Our souls are flowers, and pain the soil around our roots. It’s what makes us grow. Let your pain remind you of the love you once held for the people you’ve lost”

[Chris Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Road follows on from the events of the previous books of the series, which is a good point to note that you really need to have read all the books for this one to make sense to you. This book is a great addition to the story and showcases so much of what I love about Iain Rob Wright's writing. There’s action, tension, peril, horror and even some good doses of humour added to the mix. I won’t spoil this story ()or what happened in the earlier books) but I will say this is a great series with an entertaining take on the apocalypse. Great writing as always from this author.

[Mylene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helper. Friend. Ally

Another masterpiece from Iain Rob Wright.
I realized something as I read each book as they came out. First of all, the story kept growing and getting better and better. Iain knows how to create a universe. Secondly, usually when I read these types of ongoing stories months and sometimes years apart, I tend to forget characters and storylines. I didn’t forget any of it while reading ‘The Spread’… I jumped right in. I am looking forward to Book 5.
Lastly, the inclusion of Helper was terrific! Humanity from
an alien!

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helper

Wow this book was just as good as the last three. I got them just because they are by Iain Rob Wright. That was enough for me as he's a brilliant writer. I've read quite a few of his books and loved them all. I won't say anything about this book because I don't want to give any spoilers away. I will say we have our favourite characters and new ones. Even a German Shepherd called Ranger. I am going straight on to read book 5. This series has kept me gripped from start to finish.

[Jacqui · Rating 3 out of 5]

People needed people to act like people. Alone, they were animals.

The fourth instalment in The Spread series wasn't my favourite. The first half was just Aaron moping about his dead brother and wishing he could leave his friends to be reunited with his dead brother. It became tiresome fast, with a few attacks on the compound breaking up the monotony. Finally the group sets out on their next adventure and things started to get interesting. I'll continue this series but I think things could have ended nicely with book three.

[sasha king · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book... It's part of a series of 5 books if I remember correctly. It's a refreshing change from the 'zombie' books where the disease spreads world wide. This alien black slime arrives along with monsters that digest humans and/or change ppl by infecting them with the black slime that's spreading across the lands. The characters are engaging and believable as a small group of 'vigilanties' find ways of destroying the this alien force. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the entire 6 books in the series.

[Pam Baddeley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 4 sees a slight growth in maturity in the writing with the viewpoint of Sophie, Ryan's fiance, who is making her way to Scotland in the hopes of finding him, accompanied by Nancy, mother of Ryan and Aaron. Meanwhile, Aaron and his surviving friends are coming south, to try to find them. Naturally they don't meet up in the total chaos that Britain has become in the wake of the invasion. It is now confirmed that it is so, with the arrival of friendly blue alien, Helper, who seems to be a refugee from a planet destroyed by the fungus... and those who sent it. Overall, a 3 star read.

[carol mccoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series

From the first guys get together and the cork screw appeared I was hooked. So much has happened, traveling from place to place gaining people and losing people trying to save the world from the fungus. I love Helper, so much I could say but too many spoilers. I am very curious as to what can happen in the next book due to all the happenings in book 4, not sure where it can go from here but I am on board to find out.

[Jemma McLaughlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series, I think I like it more because I’m a Lancashire girl, so it’s pretty local and I love a good apocalypse! Starts out with some lad mates from Manny on a stag weekend in Scotland, just how my mates would. Very easy reading for me and I was immediately hooked and felt attached to the characters. Many ups and downs, I nearly cried in parts, gutted I’ve got to wait till Feb for the next! ❤️

[Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just keeps getting better!

I said the previous book in this series was the best but this one managed to better it. It is a constant roller coaster of shock, surprise and shock again!

I barely have time to write this because I'm rushing to carry straight on with the next book!

This author is definitely in my top 5 favourites!

OMG! I HAVE TO WAIT 2 WHOLE MONTHS FOR BOOK 5? My weekend just fell flat 😯😯

[AGilden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't not finish the series, but it's going on for too long now, and every new volume is getting just a little bit worse. The main reason is that there are too few characters left that we really care about, even though the author still tries to introduce new ones. The action and violence are still present, although possibly a bit less than in the previous volumes, and the end of this specific book is great.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series continues to be good!
The characters are finally starting to figure out what’s going on with the fungus, so I’m waiting for the other foot to fall and cause something else disastrous to happen.
I like that none of the characters feel safe in this series so far. For example, when the characters are in a situation, anyone can be hurt or die, even if it’s a beloved character.
I’m looking forward to continuing and seeing how this story unfolds!

[Ami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read!

This horrific sci-fi apocalyptic tale will make you pray nothing like it EVER becomes a reality, or you're the first victim! I was enthralled throughout and wanted more at the end. I'm looking forward to book 5 and highly recommend the entire series.

Read via Kindle Unlimited