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Dead Run: A Post-Apocalyptic Plague Thriller
Plaguers prowl the earth. Humans are their prey. Power must be taken. In the Afterworld, only mercenaries leave the walled cities and have rights to the salvage needed for survival. Sulan can only dream of becoming one of them … … until she discovers the Meat Grinder. It’s a race from one end of San Francisco to the other, through streets infested with flesh-eating plaguers. If Sulan can finish the race, she’ll become a mercenary. Does she have what it takes to survive, or will she be more meat for the Meat Grinder? Dead Run is the first book in the high-octane Afterworld Apocalypse series. If you like the dystopian future of Mad Max and the gritty characters of 28 Days Later , you’ll love this action-packed story. Enter the Afterworld and buy Dead Run today!
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2022
109 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Camille Picott
52 books102 followersCamille loves to read, write, eat, and run obscene distances. (Not always in that order.) She considers sleep to be highly over-rated.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
August 14, 2025
It's quite possible to wrap up all the loose ends in a story and still leave the reader wanting the next in the series. A cliffhanger like this is totally unnecessary, and at least in my case, pisses me off to the extent that I consider NOT reading the next in series as a means of protest. The storyline is interesting enough, and kept my attention throughout. The premise is plausible enough.
I listened to Chirp audible, and the narrator sounds like she had a couple of big hits on a blunt before beginning to speak. Her voice continues in a dragging, inflectionless monotone throughout, and at some point I came to accept and even like it, somewhat. I'm afraid if I narrated a story, I would sound much the same.
I listened to Chirp audible, and the narrator sounds like she had a couple of big hits on a blunt before beginning to speak. Her voice continues in a dragging, inflectionless monotone throughout, and at some point I came to accept and even like it, somewhat. I'm afraid if I narrated a story, I would sound much the same.
May 2, 2022
I received an early copy for an honest review.
The book hooks you in with smooth easy to consume writing. It's set in the Afterworld when Plaguers (aka zombies) overtook what our current world is. Even though it's a post-apocalyptic novel, the zombie backdrop is just that. The main theme is not about survival or escaping zombies. It's mostly a juicy family drama with a love triangle thrown in. That being said, when twins Taro and Sulan are older, they're trained enough to take on plaguers witch is critical to the survival of the world.
The Meat Grinder is referred to throughout the book, but your don't actually get to see it until about 80%-90% of the way through. Lots of bad choices are made, which adds to the drama but it could be annoying because there is a huge lack of communication. I questioned Li Yuan on matters of the heart in so many instances, but what her emotional choices lack she makes up for being a kick-butt mercenary.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and the writing style made it for a quick read. For a first book to a series, I'm intrigued to see how this family will go from the Meat Grinder to saving the world. I will definitely check out more books from this author in the future.
The book hooks you in with smooth easy to consume writing. It's set in the Afterworld when Plaguers (aka zombies) overtook what our current world is. Even though it's a post-apocalyptic novel, the zombie backdrop is just that. The main theme is not about survival or escaping zombies. It's mostly a juicy family drama with a love triangle thrown in. That being said, when twins Taro and Sulan are older, they're trained enough to take on plaguers witch is critical to the survival of the world.
The Meat Grinder is referred to throughout the book, but your don't actually get to see it until about 80%-90% of the way through. Lots of bad choices are made, which adds to the drama but it could be annoying because there is a huge lack of communication. I questioned Li Yuan on matters of the heart in so many instances, but what her emotional choices lack she makes up for being a kick-butt mercenary.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and the writing style made it for a quick read. For a first book to a series, I'm intrigued to see how this family will go from the Meat Grinder to saving the world. I will definitely check out more books from this author in the future.
April 27, 2022
What a good read. Twin babies are born in this after world but get separated at birth. They grow up not knowing about their twin.
In this world warlords rule in walled cities and mercenaries have the right to salvage what is needed for survival.
Dead run is the first book in the series once finished you will want to read the second .
Denise
In this world warlords rule in walled cities and mercenaries have the right to salvage what is needed for survival.
Dead run is the first book in the series once finished you will want to read the second .
Denise
May 8, 2022
Is it possible to enjoy a story/book more the second time around? Of course, and especially when it is an audiobook narrated by Molly Secours. I recently read Dead Run and then this past week listened to a review copy of the audiobook I received from the author. My original review stands, and is copied below, with the addition of saying that Molly’s narration brought the characters and story to life making it an extremely enjoyable experience.
Do you enjoy post-apocalyptic stories that are not only action-packed, but have elements of intrigue that are near impossible to see what is really going on? Dead Run is one of those books and knowing Camille Picott’s writing it is going to be one of those series that keeps you on your toes guessing why and what as each new instance of intrigue is revealed. This story of twins separated for 17 years is not just an original idea but brings a pair of characters who it appears may have several surprises in store for the reader. There are so many parts to this story that the reader cannot help but get caught up in each character’s motivations and own back story/circumstance. I received a review copy of this book from the author and chose to provide my review.
Do you enjoy post-apocalyptic stories that are not only action-packed, but have elements of intrigue that are near impossible to see what is really going on? Dead Run is one of those books and knowing Camille Picott’s writing it is going to be one of those series that keeps you on your toes guessing why and what as each new instance of intrigue is revealed. This story of twins separated for 17 years is not just an original idea but brings a pair of characters who it appears may have several surprises in store for the reader. There are so many parts to this story that the reader cannot help but get caught up in each character’s motivations and own back story/circumstance. I received a review copy of this book from the author and chose to provide my review.
May 2, 2022
A brilliant first book in this exciting & intriguing end of the world series! As always Camille Picott has outdone herself, really well written, I was dragged into the world & felt like I was part of the adventure along side the characters! Excellent! Well worth a read & I do recommend! I can't wait for the next part!
May 2, 2022
Great storyline and characters. I can’t wait for the rest of the series!
May 1, 2022
Absolutely loved this book and the characters. The story is different and the plaguers are different to our normal zombies. Moves along at a fast pace with plenty of excitement throughout the whole story. Really looking forward to the next book.
May 1, 2022
Great read, fast paced and totally engaging, straight on to book 2
April 13, 2022
What’s not to love. This new series by Camille Picott has everything. Warlords and freedom fighters. Turf wars and double-crosses. A prize worth everything to the winner. The hunt in on for the vaccine against plaguers. Separated as babies, could Sulan and Taro have the key? Will they find each other in time? Engrossing story line keeps you turning the pages. Be sure to give this series a read. You won’t be disappointed.
April 25, 2022
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
April 25, 2022
I was given an advanced copy to write my honest review. It took my a few pages to get into the book but once I did I couldn’t stop. I loved the story and the characters in the book. I hadn’t read an apocalypse book like this one where I’m coming into years into the apocalypse. Well worth the read.
August 1, 2022
This is a fast paced look at a future filled with Overlords and "Plaguers", which are pretty much zombies. Sulan is a 17 year old girl, being groomed by her parents to be a Brain, but her only desire is to become Merc like her mother. She has been training with a boy named Gun through Virtual Reality so that she can participate in the Meat Grinder.
Her world is thrown for a loop when a man and his son show up at her home and she is told that they are her cousins. But, when Sulan learns the truth, things really start to heat up. This is a good mix of the zombie and post-apocalyptic genres and should appeal to readers that enjoy those.
This book is full of action and family dynamics like you might see in a soap opera. The author does a great job in world building and character development and I can't wait to see what happens next in this series. My only complaint would be the heavy use of profanity, which I personally found a little overdone.
The narrator did a great job and added a lot to my enjoyment of the book. I was given the chance to listen to this audiobook by the author/publisher/narrator and chose to review it.
Her world is thrown for a loop when a man and his son show up at her home and she is told that they are her cousins. But, when Sulan learns the truth, things really start to heat up. This is a good mix of the zombie and post-apocalyptic genres and should appeal to readers that enjoy those.
This book is full of action and family dynamics like you might see in a soap opera. The author does a great job in world building and character development and I can't wait to see what happens next in this series. My only complaint would be the heavy use of profanity, which I personally found a little overdone.
The narrator did a great job and added a lot to my enjoyment of the book. I was given the chance to listen to this audiobook by the author/publisher/narrator and chose to review it.
August 24, 2022
A family ripped apart by the apocalypse reunites under strange circumstances. Sulan has lived her life with her Mother and Father in one of the few safe places on earth. Plaguers roam everywhere and Sulan’s mother is one of the mercs that scavenge for the community. Sulan dreams of being a merc too and she secretly trains to join the meat grinder, a tough competition that is nearly impossible to survive.
This is a really cool action zombie story of Sulan and her family. When her world gets flipped on it’s end she runs off to prove herself in the meat grinder and everyone has to do what they can to save her. Sulan’s character is tough and smart and she’s a bit reckless. But her story is a good one!
I enjoyed this book and I look forward to finding out what happens next with Sulan’s family drama!
This is a really cool action zombie story of Sulan and her family. When her world gets flipped on it’s end she runs off to prove herself in the meat grinder and everyone has to do what they can to save her. Sulan’s character is tough and smart and she’s a bit reckless. But her story is a good one!
I enjoyed this book and I look forward to finding out what happens next with Sulan’s family drama!
May 19, 2022
Wow, I really enjoyed this opening book for this new series. Imagine cities controlled by warlords, society broken down into a class system, where there are Grunts who do all the dirty jobs, mercenaries who search the bad lands for goods and materials that can be used again and then there’s the warlords and their group who control everything else. Then there’s the Plagiers who are crazied infected humans who’s only goal is to bit a non infected human. Our protagonist wants to become a mercenary and is secretly taking lessons on how to fight the plagiers and to do so she must run and beat the Meat Grinder. This is a great read if you enjoy post apocalyptic reading. I received a free early copy of this ebook for a fair and honest review.
May 11, 2022
Another great start to an apocalyptic series by Camille Picott! The living are in walled cities controlled by warlords and a caste system is heavily prevalent. Camille develops the characters well from various angles, the world is well developed, and the plot and story move at a good pace for the genre. Audio Version: Molly Secours did a great job bringing the story to life with each character. This was my first time listening to her narrate and overall, I was impressed.
May 21, 2022
loved this reimagined
I’ll be honest I was worried about this one. This is a new take on a different series that this author wrote. And I loved the original. Surprise surprise or not so much of a surprise this series was awesome I love the beginning a total new take on characters I already loved who I didn’t think I could love them more and now I do. Definitely worth the purchase!!
I’ll be honest I was worried about this one. This is a new take on a different series that this author wrote. And I loved the original. Surprise surprise or not so much of a surprise this series was awesome I love the beginning a total new take on characters I already loved who I didn’t think I could love them more and now I do. Definitely worth the purchase!!
May 28, 2022
Really good.
This was a really good read. It’s my first time reading anything by this Author and I am not disappointed. It didn’t have much plaguer action, but that’s not a problem because there was plenty of other things going on to keep you entertained. I already went to get the next book and was sad it isn’t out yet, but super excited because it releases in a few days. This book is worth checking out, but don’t take my word for it…READ IT!
This was a really good read. It’s my first time reading anything by this Author and I am not disappointed. It didn’t have much plaguer action, but that’s not a problem because there was plenty of other things going on to keep you entertained. I already went to get the next book and was sad it isn’t out yet, but super excited because it releases in a few days. This book is worth checking out, but don’t take my word for it…READ IT!
August 15, 2023
Well written page burner
This is a really good post-apocalyptic thriller set in a dystopian Zom-poc world. It's the type of book that makes you root for the good gals & guys and hate the bad guys (face it, almost every really bad guy really is a guy). I am so glad I read the prequel first and recommend you do as well. When I get caught up on my wanna read list I plan to finish this series.
This is a really good post-apocalyptic thriller set in a dystopian Zom-poc world. It's the type of book that makes you root for the good gals & guys and hate the bad guys (face it, almost every really bad guy really is a guy). I am so glad I read the prequel first and recommend you do as well. When I get caught up on my wanna read list I plan to finish this series.
September 1, 2025
Good storytelling and world building. But it's incomplete. I get that it's a series, but I feel very strongly that every book in a series should be a complete story in and of itself, beginning, middle, and end. Even if there are some plot points still to be fleshed out in the sequels. This book doesn't even end on a cliffhanger. It just stops midstory. Very annoying. I don't know if I'll continue the series because I'm pretty sure I won't get any satisfying resolution unless I read them ALL.
April 13, 2022
Living in the apocalypse is a really dangerous time and is described in glorious detail in this book.
Nothing is guaranteed and ordinary items taken for granted are highly sought after.
I've been a fan of apocalypse and zombie tales and Camille Picott does a wonderful job writing and involving the reader into the story.
Nothing is guaranteed and ordinary items taken for granted are highly sought after.
I've been a fan of apocalypse and zombie tales and Camille Picott does a wonderful job writing and involving the reader into the story.
May 10, 2022
This was a page turner. I could not stop reading the book and couldn't wait to see what would happen next. The author creates fantastic characters and a believable post apocalyptic world that will keep you on the seat of your pants waiting to find out what happens next. I liked each of the characters and the action. Pick this book up today!!
November 11, 2024
Really loved this book. Kept me interested and the post apocalyptic setting was well defined which I loved. One thing that bugged me was ‘Touch’. It just makes zero sense how that works in this more realistic setting but I’ll go with magic being apart of the world and that’s the answer lmao. I also hope Asten gets over his jealousy, live as a throuple and be happy dammit.
June 29, 2022
What a rush!
Camille Picott has not failed me yet. Whenever I see a new book by her, I rush to read it for two reasons. She fleshed out her characters to the point they feel real and her storylines are very immersive.
Camille Picott has not failed me yet. Whenever I see a new book by her, I rush to read it for two reasons. She fleshed out her characters to the point they feel real and her storylines are very immersive.
July 23, 2022
Great story
I have really enjoyed reading this book, lots of action, suspense and fighting. Taro and Sulan are strong minded kids and are always getting into trouble. Very good story and well written. I recommend this to all that love this kind of fiction.
I have really enjoyed reading this book, lots of action, suspense and fighting. Taro and Sulan are strong minded kids and are always getting into trouble. Very good story and well written. I recommend this to all that love this kind of fiction.
May 13, 2022
How fun is this? Zombies, a contest to win versus zombies and warlords, survival and adventure. I can’t wait to find out what happens next! Write faster!
May 22, 2022
Page turner!
Could not put down. Read it in one sitting. Really enjoyed it as I have all of Camille's other series.
Could not put down. Read it in one sitting. Really enjoyed it as I have all of Camille's other series.
May 28, 2022
Good read
Not the usual zombie apocalypse book. Interesting story . I like the plot and the characters are believable. Looking forward to the next book.
Not the usual zombie apocalypse book. Interesting story . I like the plot and the characters are believable. Looking forward to the next book.
September 1, 2022
Love this series
November 26, 2025
I know it’s hard to write a new zombie story. This one does ok but obviously takes some general tropes and repeats them. Also somewhat predictable. Not badly but not my fav either
February 1, 2026
Pretty good
Well written and interesting. A different spin on the ZomPoc genre but fast paced and action packed. I will read more
Well written and interesting. A different spin on the ZomPoc genre but fast paced and action packed. I will read more
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews