Cannibal Warfare: A Post-Apocalyptic Virus Thriller

by Jacob Vaughn

They thought they were saving the world. Instead— they ended it. Through an accident of science tens of millions of Americans have been transformed into ravenous cannibals. But this is far from a zombie apocalypse. So long as they satisfy their hunger for human flesh, these cannibals can still think - and those that do have rebuilt America into a twisted mockery of what once stood before.Now, civilization has been replaced by an anarchy of city states and warring cannibal factions, each pursuing the same dark To harvest human meat. “Meat” like Cotton Wiley and his 12-year-old daughter Jean - two of only a handful of human survivors who still remain free from the cannibalistic affliction. They are on a perilous journey to Alaska, staying one-step ahead of the cannibal hordes thanks to the deadly skills Cotton learned as a Navy SEAL.However, no amount of training could have prepared Cotton and Jean for what they’ll face crossing the lawless expanse now known as the Texas Meat Belt - especially when a new cannibal faction descends on the region and forces Cotton and his daughter to take a stand right alongside their deadliest enemies.Cannibal Warfare is the thrilling first installment in the Cannibal Warfare series - a fresh, taut, and realistic take on the “zombie apocalypse” genre, with a story described by readers as “outstanding” and “completely different then any other zombie book I’ve ever read.”★★★★★ "I loved this book! Couldn’t put it down! There seems to be hundreds of novels about zombies but none were like this one. It’s a totally different take on a genre that has been done time and time again. Full of twists and action. It’s not a book to be passed by." -Louise Canning/ Amazon UK★★★★★ "I didn't know what to expect when I grabbed this book. I have read more than my fair share of zombie and post apocalyptic stuff, could there be anything new, anything fresh still out there? The short answer is yes. The story just starts and it took hold of me immediately. There is no set up, we just jump in on the action and there are a few twists that make this a worthwhile read. I highly recommend this story if you are fan of the genre!" -J. Mosby/ Amazon US

426 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 13, 2021

Reviews

[Elaine and Tess the Springer. I won’t be on GR for a bit. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific.

A thoroughly enjoyable different take on zombies. It is a bone-chilling gory action-packed read that will keep you engrossed from beginning to end.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read and loved Jordan Vezina's Jack Bonafide series, I leapt at the chance to preview read this book. It is a huge departure from his other work and I wasn't sure how I'd like it but it proved to be a compelling read. The protagonists are a father, Cotton, and his twelve year old daughter, Jean. Having survived an apocalyptic event, Cotton and Jean are trying to make it to a place far away from the Cannibals. The cannibals became cannibals after receiving what the government called a vaccine against the mystery disease but instead gave the recipients an unquenchable taste for human flesh. Cotton and Jean encounter roving militias and rogue religious fanatics and are forced to fight to survive.
The action here is well described and the author has a good working knowledge of ordnance. My only problem with the book had nothing to do with the quality of the writing but with the fact that the last few chapters of the book were duplicated in my ARC. This can be easily corrected during editing. It was just unexpected.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Paul Ataua · Rating 2 out of 5]

A zombie like apocalypse in which millions of Americans have been turned into cannibals. Unlike the undead, these people are otherwise normal apart from their desire for human flesh. This sounds like a fascinating take on the zombie genre, there is a lot of action, and I guess most of my fellow zombie lovers will enjoy it. For me, however, I was hit by the not so underlying ‘stance’ that I found less than endearing. It’s a world in which Russia had taken over Canada ready to strike into the US, and China, after taking over most of Asia, is now ready to attack California. The cause of the cannibalism is a vaccine promoted by a government, a government that is now providing human flesh from the countryside to keep things stable in the towns at the expense of the chaos outside. Add to this a Texan hero who did tours in Afghanistan and who has militarized his 12 year old daughter, a man who is willing to let some cannibals pass by with their captive until he realizes that the captive is a woman which means he has to try and save her. It a world vision that I can’t fall in line with and there is only so much I can take.

[Wendy K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read. Basically, a virus or sickness spread across the globe and a lot of people succumbed to the sickness. Very shortly after, a vaccine was created and before it could be fully tested, it was makers and given to the citizens. However, shortly after that, those who took the vaccine began to develop strange symptoms. And those symptoms included the need to consume flesh.

This is a strange and disturbing concept. I actually dug it enough to start the book. In the book, you follow along with a man named Cotton who has a lot of past military experience and he struggles to survive this new world, along with his daughter. I have to say, I really enjoyed reading how well Cotton was in regard to strategizing and in teaching his daughter tactics and how to survive and be strong about it too.

The whole world is in the trash and it gets even crazier when a second vaccine is created in order to help cure the effects of the first one. It really seems like things are about to go completely FUBAR and the new “symptoms” might be even worse than the first. This was a pretty decent read honestly and the whole cannibal concept was strangely believable.

[Ralph Phares · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting Suspense Unlike Other Post-Apocalyptic Books

It seemed confusing when I first started this book. The premise seemed set up pretty well so that, upon reading further, the plot jelled. Unlike other P-A stories there's more humanity in these people. There's an effort here to not immediately go into the whole ,"I want to eat your brains." scenario. There is a good faith reasoning that tries to establish a society rather than a rampaging hoard. I'll be looking forward to the next installment.

[J. T. Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A different twist

I was thoroughly surprised at this different and unique twist on the apocalypse. And this totally blew me away. The story takes place after a vaccine goes terribly wrong, turning people into monstrosities that put zombies to shame. Cotton, an ex navy seal and his young daughter must navigate the dangerous lands that was once the United States.

Believable characters, insane circumstances and a great story kept me interested from the first page to the last. Can't wait to read the next book.

[Andrea Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A different kind of zombiepocalypse!

This was my first experience with this author and I am very impressed. It is well written, well edited and well developed. I absolutely LOVE the fact that it was clearly written by someone who has served. There are some things research just can't teach you and they are loud and proud in this book.

I would absolutely recommend this mostly clean book. It's cannibals folks, there's blood and gore. It's got coarse (not foul) language and gallows humor, as most characters are service members and/or veterans.

[Shanna Tidwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the writing was good, and the story wasn’t bad, I felt there was a little bit too much preaching us in this one for me. Cotton can’t be unkillable. Sure in books like this there’s always the hero that can’t be stopped and seems to do the impossible. In this book it’s Cotton and he comes across more as a superhero than a normal man, but of course he’s not supposed to be just a normal man. Some of the characters need to be fleshed out. I’d love to say that I loved it, but I just liked it.
The narration was excellent .

[Caroline 'relaxing with my rescue dogs' · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listen to a lot of post apocalyptic series and this was a really good listen. It was a little complicated regarding the virus but in the end it made sense. The relationship between the father and the daughter was so good and thought out. The different factions worked well and I liked the way there were little reveals throughout.
The narration suited the book
I went on straight to the next book in the series it was that compelling.

[Gail Parzygnat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

I ordered this book because I love the Black and Bonafide series but did not realize it was a post-apocalyptic story that I don't really care for. But wow! All the topics are spot on. Loved the virus storyline and the addition of the Nephilim was brilliant. And adding the Hellcat, my EDC, was also a plus. Can't wait for book 2!

[Graham Trelfa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, that was a wild ride.

I've read all of Jordan's books so far but this is the most out there so far.
Very different to his usual style but definitely worth 5 stars.
I never comment on the content of a novel so as not to spoil the enjoyment of future readers but this is one of the best novels of this genre I have ever read.

[Corinne Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. It was exciting, thrilling and will have you hooked from the start. Cotton Wiley and his daughter Jean are strong and likeable characters. Very glad I came across this series and can't wait for the next one.

[Rob]

I loved this book and as usual the author never fails to keep you engaged, withy lots of twists in this plot. I always look forward to a new relaese from this author and he is amungst a handfull of authors i would like to meet in person

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Cotton

Thanks for the strong and capable no nonsense main character !!! I feel like Cotton's well rounded fighting skills have served him for the end of the world . Hated for the book to end yet can't wait to read the next.

[Trina · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic

Colton and his daughter are trying to escape the meat belt in Texas. Cornered in a house they run into the army of the King, Cannibals and the others. Drama unfolds. Read to see who wins

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different and better

I was pleasantly surprised at reading this post apocalyptic book. The author has a great imagination and uses it very well. Great storyline and great action! I finished reading in 1 day while on vacation. Looking forward to book 2!

[Mardi Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book of the year

Interesting characters along with a fast moving, unique plot. A few twists and turns, and a main character who is as strong as the villains. Thank goodness it's a series. I'm off to read book two.

[barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Author cant do no wrong loved his other books first class read waiting for next book as in Sam Wick and bonifies books .

[wendi c duncan · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book of his that iv read , a lil different from most zombie poc books which is good. I'll probably finish this series, I liked the characters enough to want to know what happens next

[Joe McCullough · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different

Lots of operators. Different take. This is worth pursuing. Places to go and things to see here. Cannibal crew indeed.

[Scott Holdaway · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something new

Good twist on the typical viruses zombie xi special forces girl in trouble story. Some new things here to keep it interesting and very fast paced.

[Holly Horror · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn good read! Can't wait to get book 2.

[Katie Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did not see that ending coming!

I enjoyed the book anyway, but that ending blindsided me.and now I'm even more excited to read the next book.

[Steve Schlutow · Rating 4 out of 5]

A different tale, and good. This is the first book that I have read from this author, and I will continue.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the Daddy/Daughter pair, Jean is a badass.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a ton of vaccine hesitancy in the world nowadays, and that's without any reports of the vaccine turning people into cannibals. This book reminds me of a cross between I Am Legend (movie and book) and Dawn of the Dead.

As with all of Vezina's books, it has good pacing and action. There's enough exposition blended with thrilling elements to make it "unputdownable." The characters (humans, cannibals, and everything n between) are interesting in their own ways. Definitely a very out there take on what could happen if vaccines go wrong, but a great book over all.

Thank you to the author for an ARC. All opinions are my own.