THE INFECTION Omnibus: The Apocalyptic Zombie Trilogy

by Craig DiLouie, Joe McKinney (Foreword)

In a world teetering on the brink of collapse, a group of survivors learns the cost of survival--and the value of fighting for something even after losing everything.

Craig DiLouie's apocalyptic zombie series The Infection is now available as an omnibus. In this classic trilogy, a mysterious disease strikes millions and drives them to attack, overpower, infect. Others continue to mutate, becoming horrific monsters.

In a dying America, survivors ranging from soldiers to scientists to average people struggle on the razor's edge of survival. Each must ultimately choose how far they’ll go to survive and what they’re willing to lose to save humanity. This is a brutal vision of the apocalypse like no other. Will humanity survive the end of days?

Includes a foreword by Joe McKinney, The Infection, The Killing Floor, The Final Cut, and an afterword by the author.


“Gripping...DiLouie carefully recreates our society and our military...then proceeds to bring the horror, devastation, and heroes we require.” —Fangoria

“Not just another zombie story...a disturbing, nightmarish read.” —David Moody, author of Hater

“An absolute joy to read...If you want a book that will disturb you and give you the creeps, check this one out.” —Peter Clines, author of Ex-Heroes

“A high-octane, nail-biter of a zombie novel. Psychologically complex and emotionally devastating. Craig DiLouie is one of the new masters of zombie fiction.” —Jonathan Maberry, author of Dead of Night

“28 Days Later meets The Mist...a definite page-turner right from the get-go all the way to the insanely intense final scene.” —TheGOREScore.com

“The Infection...is that rare novel...that ‘happens to you.’ You are not merely a reader but a victim of the hell it portrays.” —HorrorReview.com

“One of the best zombie books I’ve read.” —The Fringe

“Inventive and fresh, offering an insider’s perspective on pain and terror.” —Shock Totem

“A fast, powerful journey to the end of the world—and the beginnings of a new one.” —Swamp Dweller

“Craig DiLouie qualifies as a must read. His prose is quick, razor sharp and unflinching. The literary equivalent of getting hit with a heart defibrillator.” — BuyZombie.com

Genres: Horror, Zombies, Audiobook

1008 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 28, 2011

About the author

Craig DiLouie is an author of popular thriller, apocalyptic/horror, and sci-fi/fantasy fiction.

In hundreds of reviews, Craig’s novels have been praised for their strong characters, action, and gritty realism. Each book promises an exciting experience with people you’ll care about in a world that feels real.

These works have been nominated for major literary awards such as the Bram Stoker Award and Audie Award, translated into multiple languages, and optioned for film. He is a member of the HWA, International Thriller Writers, and IFWA.

Reviews

[Elli Lewis]

Good, If Difficult To Follow

🧡 A good, solid multi-storyline post-apocalyptic tale that’s on the bleaker end of the humanity-really-sucks scale.

Soundbite

🎧 This could be a good audiobook, but in my opinion it needs multiple narrators to achieve it. I counted at least 10 separate character viewpoints as well as multiple timelines and locations. So, while Garrett Michael Brown is a decent, expressive narrator, he didn’t stand a chance of helping my addled brain keep track of all that. I think that would have required multiple distinct voices.

🎧 I have to commend the producer’s valiant labelling efforts on the chapter headings. Each one does state which character is talking and the setting.

Find more bird’s eye view audiobooks reviews at Audiobooks Nest.

[Wan]

This is my favorite "zombie" novel. Strange as it seems because it doesn't seem well-known or widely liked. The reason I love it is because of how uncompromising it is. It is filled with hopeless tragedy, sexual violence, and terrible broken characters. It is even more extreme than "The Walking Dead" comics, and actually reminds me of the "Crossed" series, which is about as awful and dark as it gets.

The other reason I love it is because the zombies are much different than your garden-variety walkers, which can get kind of dull after a while. The zombies in this series begin to mutate in weird and imaginative ways until they're pretty much new lifeforms. Saying more would be to spoil it. It goes far beyond your standard zombie mutations(runner/spitter/behemoth/screamer)

[Dawn Brockett]

Felt real

I could imagine this happening since reading these books. Sci-fi at it's best. Was sad it ended but the author brought all three books together brilliantly. I love this series and I'm a fan of this author forever more.

[xdarthkittinx]

Creative as heck!

I honestly don't know what I just read. It was a wild ride, and super creative. Some of the writing bothered me but the story was good enough that it didn't matter much. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and plan to read more from this author in the future.

[Brons Lau]

Great zombie story, interesting take on the infection trope.

[RJ]

The infection came out of nowhere. It appeared to be airborne. One in five people dropped to the ground, screaming in pain, and died. Unknown to the non-infected, three days later the dead arose, killing and infecting everyone they came across. A small group of survivors including an Army Sargeant and a police officer gathered at a U.S. Army Bradley armored fighting vehicle helping ensure their limited survival. One of the survivors, Ann carried a sniper rifle accepting the role of leader for the civilians. The Sargeant takes the lead role for the Bradley and crew. The government, what was left of it, changed roles from saving civilians to destroying the epicenters of infection, namely hospitals. No one was safe, from the infected to the military, and law enforcement. As the story progresses, more survivors enter the scene describing their tale of horror to survive the chaos. Spray-painted messages on houses were used as a communication method. The virus transforms, creating new mutations in human beings; parasites, large worms, and creatures with insect legs. Our small group of survivors in the Bradley is terrorized by what is happening. The minister with our group wonders, “Where are you, God?” They flee Pittsburg on the interstate into the urban territory. The story includes flashbacks for each of the main characters on what they did before the infection. The battle for the bridge from Pittsburg is awesome. The battle for Washington D.C. was next. It’s an amazing story of survival, loyalty, and persistence, if not somewhat drawn out.