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Before and After #2
Flesh & Blood
SOME THINGS BEGIN AT THE END OF THE WORLD
Ben Stone is sick to death. He’s sick of all the endless hatred since the wraths arrived. He’s sick of trying to find a refuge for him and his dog Brown to live out what’s left of their lives. But most of all he’s just sick. As Ben’s cancer spreads he’s left searching for a source of hope and warmth at the end of the world. Unfortunately for Ben it’s just started to snow...
Flesh & Blood continues the story of Ben and Brown from the #1 bestseller Before and After, which is now in development to be a major motion picture.
Ben Stone is sick to death. He’s sick of all the endless hatred since the wraths arrived. He’s sick of trying to find a refuge for him and his dog Brown to live out what’s left of their lives. But most of all he’s just sick. As Ben’s cancer spreads he’s left searching for a source of hope and warmth at the end of the world. Unfortunately for Ben it’s just started to snow...
Flesh & Blood continues the story of Ben and Brown from the #1 bestseller Before and After, which is now in development to be a major motion picture.
245 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2021
267 people are currently reading
1361 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Shanahan
14 books324 followersAbout me:
Best-selling author of sci-fi and post-apocalyptic fiction. Books tend to have elements of horror in them too, mostly because I'm pretty degenerate and I like books where there's a smattering of gore.
If you would like to die in one of my books then you can add your name to the HAT OF DEATH by filling in the form here:
http://www.iwillliterarilykillyou.com/
For legal reasons I have to point out that this is a literary, rather than a literal death. You're quite safe.
Best-selling author of sci-fi and post-apocalyptic fiction. Books tend to have elements of horror in them too, mostly because I'm pretty degenerate and I like books where there's a smattering of gore.
If you would like to die in one of my books then you can add your name to the HAT OF DEATH by filling in the form here:
http://www.iwillliterarilykillyou.com/
For legal reasons I have to point out that this is a literary, rather than a literal death. You're quite safe.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 249 reviews
January 1, 2022
I wrote this book so you might want to take my biases into consideration. That said I really liked Bear and the Vengaboys stuff. I also actually gasped out loud when I realised what happened half way through. Hope you enjoy it too.
January 25, 2026
It’s true - Everything happens for a reason and usually ends up for the best in life! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!
January 26, 2022
I'm going through one of those stages at the moment, where it seems damn-near impossible to find something new that has a noticible impact and leaves an impression.
But this one did. Second in the series and like it's parent, wonderfully well written and providing a very fresh slant on an old favourite.
Told from alternating perspectives, a fantastic tale of weirdness and coincidences. Highly recommended…
But this one did. Second in the series and like it's parent, wonderfully well written and providing a very fresh slant on an old favourite.
Told from alternating perspectives, a fantastic tale of weirdness and coincidences. Highly recommended…
April 27, 2022
Reflections and lessons learned:
“The most beautiful thing about the raised view of Manchester is the comfort of the Pennines to the East. It reminds you how small Manchester is in the grand scheme of things”
A continuation of post apocalyptic hope and doom with the ever present threat still lingering in the background. All driven by biscuits, animals, health issues and concerns but an odd desire to keep going nevertheless… nope, no idea why I’ve enjoyed these creeping northern based horrors between the years of 2020 - 2022 - a great mix of horror and humanity with some lovely local nods - an author I would definitely be interested to read more fiction from
“The most beautiful thing about the raised view of Manchester is the comfort of the Pennines to the East. It reminds you how small Manchester is in the grand scheme of things”
A continuation of post apocalyptic hope and doom with the ever present threat still lingering in the background. All driven by biscuits, animals, health issues and concerns but an odd desire to keep going nevertheless… nope, no idea why I’ve enjoyed these creeping northern based horrors between the years of 2020 - 2022 - a great mix of horror and humanity with some lovely local nods - an author I would definitely be interested to read more fiction from
March 6, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyed the references to various Manchester landmarks, including but not limited to Chill Factor and The Christie radiotherapy department
January 12, 2023
bad ending, mid story. sorry :/
April 5, 2023
Another brilliant bad mental health day read. Natalie is a girlboss. Brown is a girlboss. Ben... Well, he's an honorary girlboss.
September 9, 2024
I’m absolutely OBSESSED with this duology!!! Amazon recommended the first book and I bought it on a whim. I loved it and didn’t even realize there was a second book until I was posting my review on instagram. Once I found out there was a second book, I bought it IMMEDIATELY. In both books, I laughed out loud, I cried, there was suspense, I felt connected to the characters, it was gruesome and gory. There was EVERYTHING I could ever want in a book. This duology, dare I say, moved to my top favorite books of all time. This story is perfect and I LOVEDDD it!
April 4, 2023
A great conclusion to the first book. It answers a lot of the questions & is such a fun book. I love the wraths - aren't they only saying what we wish we sometimes could? Too funny. Of course you have to suspend disbelief - stop looking for absolute logic in an apocalypse fantasy book - but overall the story is great, the characters are loveable & the bear is almost tollerable.
June 2, 2023
This book broke my heart a million of times. If you like to feel your heart aching and ripped out your chest and stomped on then put back in your chest. Read this.
May 25, 2024
I didn't enjoy this as much as the first book but it's still a great read. We get a bit more context of what happened in the world within this sequel and Shanahan maintains the dark humour throughout the novel. I love how he takes a dark, bleak and depressing situation and injects light, hope, love and future into it to leave you ending on a high.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2025
"I will look for the patterns that I can recognise in the stars and I will trust that there is a pattern here too. I don’t know if it matters if it’s a pattern that’s been created for us, or one that we find for ourselves. It’s finding the pattern that counts."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2022
Before and After, the previous novel by Andrew Shanahan, was recommended by my sister. I was immediately enthralled from start to finish and was delighted to learn that there would be a sequel.
Flesh and Blood reconnects the reader with Ben and Brown. In Before and After, Ben and his faithful dog Brown, defied all the odds and survived the catastrophic event, which was the apocalypse. In Flesh and Blood we are once again, taken on another rollercoaster ride!
Within the first few pages we are aware that Ben is dying, very painfully, from cancer and Brown is pregnant. Ben is trying desperately to stay alive, long enough, to find a safe haven for Brown and her soon to be born pups.
As he battles wraths, vomiting, diarrhoea and a very annoying toy bear, sometimes all in one day! - You are right there alongside him, cheering him on!
Ben is an unlikely hero, however as he fights to defeat internal and external forces, this is what he becomes.
This is a book about hope, being different and fighting for those you love. This is a story that I did not want to end.
This is such an excellent book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I can't rate it highly enough and it deserves to have more of an audience. If you like to laugh, cry and be thoroughly entertained then read this book!
Flesh and Blood reconnects the reader with Ben and Brown. In Before and After, Ben and his faithful dog Brown, defied all the odds and survived the catastrophic event, which was the apocalypse. In Flesh and Blood we are once again, taken on another rollercoaster ride!
Within the first few pages we are aware that Ben is dying, very painfully, from cancer and Brown is pregnant. Ben is trying desperately to stay alive, long enough, to find a safe haven for Brown and her soon to be born pups.
As he battles wraths, vomiting, diarrhoea and a very annoying toy bear, sometimes all in one day! - You are right there alongside him, cheering him on!
Ben is an unlikely hero, however as he fights to defeat internal and external forces, this is what he becomes.
This is a book about hope, being different and fighting for those you love. This is a story that I did not want to end.
This is such an excellent book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I can't rate it highly enough and it deserves to have more of an audience. If you like to laugh, cry and be thoroughly entertained then read this book!
February 2, 2024
this was my very first dnf book in my lifetime of reading. i will choke down the most insanely poor choices and writing from an author just to say i didn’t give up on the book. if i could give this zero stars and still leave a review, i would. 7% in and i was done. the first book had some promise, but should’ve been fleshed out more and kept to one, longer, higher quality piece. (and truthfully there were parts of the first book that were questionable.)
from the author’s CLEAR cut fatphobia in Before & After, to his obvious lack of research between the two novels - amputation scene, anyone? and i know, “but the guy in utah did it!” but our author clearly didn’t look much into infection-spread rates on necrotic tissue nor into how edibles are made - i just couldn’t stomach another page of this writing. the way Shananan wrote about Brown’s pregnancy in the first pages of Flesh & Blood was enough for me know our guy is also chock FULL of misogyny. this is truly the first piece of published material where i asked, out loud, “HOW did the publishers let this happen?”
big, fat, 600lb YIKES from me, dawg.
from the author’s CLEAR cut fatphobia in Before & After, to his obvious lack of research between the two novels - amputation scene, anyone? and i know, “but the guy in utah did it!” but our author clearly didn’t look much into infection-spread rates on necrotic tissue nor into how edibles are made - i just couldn’t stomach another page of this writing. the way Shananan wrote about Brown’s pregnancy in the first pages of Flesh & Blood was enough for me know our guy is also chock FULL of misogyny. this is truly the first piece of published material where i asked, out loud, “HOW did the publishers let this happen?”
big, fat, 600lb YIKES from me, dawg.
February 3, 2024
[2.5] interesting enough, but the unrealistic nature of some of the healthcare things really took me out of the story a bit.
- statistically twin pregnancies do not make it to 40 weeks (or longer?), especially without prenatal care and the mom having toxoplasmosis
- a month old baby is not babbling or holding a teddy bear
- I really wish the book was less of "we did this. and then we did this. and we walked this way. and the wraths are xx meters behind us." it just felt very repetitive.
- statistically twin pregnancies do not make it to 40 weeks (or longer?), especially without prenatal care and the mom having toxoplasmosis
- a month old baby is not babbling or holding a teddy bear
- I really wish the book was less of "we did this. and then we did this. and we walked this way. and the wraths are xx meters behind us." it just felt very repetitive.
February 7, 2023
I thought this one was amazing, just like the first one. There were a few twists that I wasn’t expecting at all and it made me eager to read it as quick as possible. I also listened along to the audiobook for this one and the first one and I very much recommend them. Bear was probably my favorite character in this book and I would love to give him a hug. I’m hoping that there is another sequel in the works, but I can be patient.
April 11, 2024
A great sequel to a, hopefully soon longer, great series. I was pulled in from the beginning and never left. Gripping, darkly hilarious, with just the right amount of emotion and inspiration.
October 13, 2023
Couldn't put it down!
June 17, 2025
I really enjoyed the before and after but didn’t feel the story was finished so I read this book. I did like that this answered most of the questions I had after the 1st book.
This one just didn’t hit the same l for me. I just don’t think this needed to be 2 books, as much of this one didn’t go anywhere for me. I feel an extra 100 pages in the first book would have satisfied more.
I did like the introduction of another character and it gave some insight into what happened the day of the change seeing as Ben was locked in for this.
1 question. What was the point in the puppies ?
This one just didn’t hit the same l for me. I just don’t think this needed to be 2 books, as much of this one didn’t go anywhere for me. I feel an extra 100 pages in the first book would have satisfied more.
I did like the introduction of another character and it gave some insight into what happened the day of the change seeing as Ben was locked in for this.
1 question. What was the point in the puppies ?
October 11, 2022
The sequel to Before and After;the continuation of Ben's journey through the end of the world.
One of the things I didn't especially like about the first book was the nature of the disease that ends the world. It seemed a bit ill thought out. In fact I was just not in possession of all the facts. It's revealed here, and I found it rather clever.
This book continues the "home made" vibe of the first - Ben and other characters are not superheroes, they struggle and mess things up, and make stupid decisions that they sometimes get away with. I really like this element. It contributes to the enormous relatability of the characters. Ben especially I feel like I want to go for a drink with.
The setting may feel familiar (man survives end of the world, sort of zombies), but it’s very fresh. If you can find another novel where a pregnant woman drives a bulldozer I'd be surprised.
It doesn't have the central concept of the first book (man who is obese trapped in flat while the world ends), but I think it works well without it.
Do yourself a favour, and read this.
One of the things I didn't especially like about the first book was the nature of the disease that ends the world. It seemed a bit ill thought out. In fact I was just not in possession of all the facts. It's revealed here, and I found it rather clever.
This book continues the "home made" vibe of the first - Ben and other characters are not superheroes, they struggle and mess things up, and make stupid decisions that they sometimes get away with. I really like this element. It contributes to the enormous relatability of the characters. Ben especially I feel like I want to go for a drink with.
The setting may feel familiar (man survives end of the world, sort of zombies), but it’s very fresh. If you can find another novel where a pregnant woman drives a bulldozer I'd be surprised.
It doesn't have the central concept of the first book (man who is obese trapped in flat while the world ends), but I think it works well without it.
Do yourself a favour, and read this.
June 15, 2023
After a second 5 star book, I think I’m officially an Andrew Shanahan Fan™️. I could read about Ben and Brown and Natalie and everyone else for years. They are the luckiest unlucky people I might ever read about. The way everything sucks around them and they still manage to make the best out of it was kind of endearing. Andrew has a beautiful writing style that somehow manages to provide a movie-like reading experience without going over the top with details. His characters and plot are so real and emotional that it makes it that more believable (even being a book set in a totally fictional apocalyptic England). As an MRI technologist, I was impressed with the detail put into the radiology/hospital setting and Natalie’s unfortunate experience entering the apocalypse via MRI scanner entrapment. I hope Andrew writes more books and I hope his books become movies so I don’t have to let go of Ben and his family for too long.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2024
I think I like this book more than the first! While the sequel didn’t have as much emotional backstory, I really liked the pace of this book.
This book felt much more like a dystopian story than the first one. Learning about the cause of wrath infection and learning about how the infection works really hooked me. The wraths also felt scarier in this book. Except for the part with the done playing “we like to party” and the wraths chasing it. That was so funny.
Spoiler-the addition of Natalie was excellent and unexpected. I thought her storyline was the most intriguing and I’m so glad the author brought her in.
Loved these two books and I hear there is a movie in the making, so I’m excited to see how they turn this into a film!
This book felt much more like a dystopian story than the first one. Learning about the cause of wrath infection and learning about how the infection works really hooked me. The wraths also felt scarier in this book. Except for the part with the done playing “we like to party” and the wraths chasing it. That was so funny.
Spoiler-the addition of Natalie was excellent and unexpected. I thought her storyline was the most intriguing and I’m so glad the author brought her in.
Loved these two books and I hear there is a movie in the making, so I’m excited to see how they turn this into a film!
January 25, 2024
Oh wow. I never thought I’d recommend a book so hard. I also never thought We Like To Party! (The Vegnabus) by The Vengaboys would make me feel so emotional.
The first book was so amazing and original. Who knew that zombies could be so funny! I found myself laughing, holding my breath, shielding my eyes and crying. You know, all the best stuff a brilliant book should do.
If you’re on the fence, just read it. Read both of them and fall in love with Ben, Brown and Bear.
I think I NEED A HUG after finishing these two… what am I supposed to do now?
The first book was so amazing and original. Who knew that zombies could be so funny! I found myself laughing, holding my breath, shielding my eyes and crying. You know, all the best stuff a brilliant book should do.
If you’re on the fence, just read it. Read both of them and fall in love with Ben, Brown and Bear.
I think I NEED A HUG after finishing these two… what am I supposed to do now?
October 17, 2022
I can't help devour these books because of how easily they read. I feel I can relate to the main character in such a bizarre way and that appeals to me.
The opening of this book had me in stitches. I had the song playing whilst reading. (Intentionally) and it could feel myself in the moment.
Shanahan has a way of writing subliminal messages within his work and the opening is definitely one.
The opening of this book had me in stitches. I had the song playing whilst reading. (Intentionally) and it could feel myself in the moment.
Shanahan has a way of writing subliminal messages within his work and the opening is definitely one.
January 18, 2023
Truly loved this book, read it really quickly as needed to know what happened next. Also read before and after, which was just as good. Had a chance to hear from the author on his books in one of my book clubs. Was really interesting to hear how he has had his fights with weight and how he came to write these books. brown is my favourite.
January 23, 2024
3.75/5
Not the biggest fan of apocalyptic stuff and definitely not of zombies, but I was surprised by how much I liked this series. The premise is very very unique in Before and After, and the story continuation in Flesh and Blood is well done without being too predictable. Not my favorite of all the books I’ve read but a fun read nevertheless!
Not the biggest fan of apocalyptic stuff and definitely not of zombies, but I was surprised by how much I liked this series. The premise is very very unique in Before and After, and the story continuation in Flesh and Blood is well done without being too predictable. Not my favorite of all the books I’ve read but a fun read nevertheless!
January 2, 2022
Second best book ever!
I couldn't wait for this book to be released! I tried to read it slowly...I really did try! Andrew Shanahan absoloutely nails it for a second time! Please, please write a third book 🙏 I need to know what happens to Bear!
I couldn't wait for this book to be released! I tried to read it slowly...I really did try! Andrew Shanahan absoloutely nails it for a second time! Please, please write a third book 🙏 I need to know what happens to Bear!
October 23, 2022
This book pulled on every emotion and heart strings I have, mostly surrounding Brown. The first 100 pages I was either crying or wanting to throw the book across the room (in a good way). I couldn’t read this fast enough to find out what was happening/going to happen. My new favorite series!
February 6, 2023
I love that both books in this series end on a note of finality and hope. There's room for the story to grow and more to be added in further books but if that doesn't happen, I don't feel like I've been left suspended or disappointed in any way.
February 3, 2024
9/50
I really enjoyed this and "Before and after".
The author is quite creative in creating a post apocalyptic world and it's new and refreshing to me.
I do feel content with the way this book rounded off a lot from the first book and honestly I absolutely adore Ben the main character- cos absolutely same in protecting my pet at every cost necessary.
Some great plot twists in there too which I always love.
Big big bonus is it being based in Manchester because I loved being able to visualize the areas described!
Highly recommend- also on Kindle unlimited!!!!
I really enjoyed this and "Before and after".
The author is quite creative in creating a post apocalyptic world and it's new and refreshing to me.
I do feel content with the way this book rounded off a lot from the first book and honestly I absolutely adore Ben the main character- cos absolutely same in protecting my pet at every cost necessary.
Some great plot twists in there too which I always love.
Big big bonus is it being based in Manchester because I loved being able to visualize the areas described!
Highly recommend- also on Kindle unlimited!!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 249 reviews