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After Life
Since the seventh grade, Alex, a retail slave, has secretly been in love with his best friend, Morgan, a web cartoonist. Unable to overcome social awkwardness, they both find themselves in very separate lifestyles as they reach adulthood. Amidst these distanced and inhibited lives, Alex and Morgan are suddenly faced with the literal end of the world. Corpses around the globe begin to hunger for the flesh of the living, and society crumbles quickly under the shock of the attacks. With the animated dead filling the streets, Morgan has no choice but to hide in Alex's apartment, surviving on canned food, soda, and a huge supply of illegally downloaded movies. While death is waiting outside the apartment every hour of the day, the two friends force themselves to rethink every social rule and emotional response in order to keep their sanity. Both of them will ultimately decide whether they should struggle to hold onto the life that they lost, or adapt to the change. In a world where only the numb can survive, Alex and Morgan must face their true feelings for the first time. Love, blood, and the undead.
268 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2009
27 people are currently reading
1114 people want to read
About the author
Jaron Lee Knuth
17 books27 followersJaron Lee Knuth was born in western Wisconsin in 1978. Suffering from multiple illnesses as a young child, he was forced to find an escape from his bedridden existence through the storytelling of any media he could find. Science fiction and fantasy novels, television programs, films, video games, and comic books all provided him with infinite worlds for his imagination to explore. Now he spends his days creating stories and worlds in the hope that others might find somewhere to escape as well.
He would love to reply to any questions or comments you may have for him at jaronleeknuth@gmail.com
He would love to reply to any questions or comments you may have for him at jaronleeknuth@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
June 23, 2010
Jaron Lee Knuth, After Life (CreateSpace, 2009)
With the current glut of zombie lit, which is not only coming at us from the major labels and the specialty presses (there's even one, Permuted, devoted solely to zombie lit) but the self/vanity publishing world as well, it's pretty much guaranteed that a lot of it is going to range from the mediocre to the terminally bad. While After Life is paint-by-numbers, it's much closer to the “mediocre” than the “terminally bad”, so if you're jonesing for zombies and you've read everything you can get your hands on, this isn't the worst place you could go.
Plot: zombie apocalypse. Yep. That's it. There's nothing here you haven't seen before, from the slightly-scary-seeming survivors to the unrequited-love plot to no one realizing what the zombies are until it's too late to the clearing out of the apartment building to... you get the idea. You've got stock characters in stock situations, and the whole thing will seem very familiar to you. Knuth has some decent ideas about how to flesh out his characters, but never ties these ideas to anything, leading us to cardboard cutouts with some streamers hanging off them flapping in the breeze. And those cardboard cutouts react just as you would expect them to in the situations they're given.
All that said, there's a lot worse zombie lit out there. There is something to be said for the comfort of the safe, predictable novel, which is why Danielle Steel and the late Barbara Cartland have sold enough novels to circle the world a couple of hundred times. If you're just looking for some undead and a way to kill a few hours, especially given the price it's available for on Kindle, you might as well check it out. * ½
With the current glut of zombie lit, which is not only coming at us from the major labels and the specialty presses (there's even one, Permuted, devoted solely to zombie lit) but the self/vanity publishing world as well, it's pretty much guaranteed that a lot of it is going to range from the mediocre to the terminally bad. While After Life is paint-by-numbers, it's much closer to the “mediocre” than the “terminally bad”, so if you're jonesing for zombies and you've read everything you can get your hands on, this isn't the worst place you could go.
Plot: zombie apocalypse. Yep. That's it. There's nothing here you haven't seen before, from the slightly-scary-seeming survivors to the unrequited-love plot to no one realizing what the zombies are until it's too late to the clearing out of the apartment building to... you get the idea. You've got stock characters in stock situations, and the whole thing will seem very familiar to you. Knuth has some decent ideas about how to flesh out his characters, but never ties these ideas to anything, leading us to cardboard cutouts with some streamers hanging off them flapping in the breeze. And those cardboard cutouts react just as you would expect them to in the situations they're given.
All that said, there's a lot worse zombie lit out there. There is something to be said for the comfort of the safe, predictable novel, which is why Danielle Steel and the late Barbara Cartland have sold enough novels to circle the world a couple of hundred times. If you're just looking for some undead and a way to kill a few hours, especially given the price it's available for on Kindle, you might as well check it out. * ½
August 13, 2016
-Sencillez correcta, pero sencillez al fin y al cabo.-
Género. Ciencia-Ficción.
Lo que nos cuenta. Durante un inesperadamente inclemente día de mayo, se desata una plaga zombi que acorrala a Alex, un joven introvertido, pacifista, fan de los comics y de las figuras de acción, y a su amiga Morgan, metida en el mundo del comic de forma profesional y a la que supuestamente su prometido ha dejado sola en la ciudad para acudir a un casting cinematográfico. Los acontecimientos llevaran a la pareja de amigos hasta el apartamento de Alex, donde serán conscientes de que el fenómeno tiene dimensiones mundiales.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
Género. Ciencia-Ficción.
Lo que nos cuenta. Durante un inesperadamente inclemente día de mayo, se desata una plaga zombi que acorrala a Alex, un joven introvertido, pacifista, fan de los comics y de las figuras de acción, y a su amiga Morgan, metida en el mundo del comic de forma profesional y a la que supuestamente su prometido ha dejado sola en la ciudad para acudir a un casting cinematográfico. Los acontecimientos llevaran a la pareja de amigos hasta el apartamento de Alex, donde serán conscientes de que el fenómeno tiene dimensiones mundiales.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
April 10, 2011
I'm still fairly new to the zombie genre so I'm not sure how much credit my reviews should be given. I've, so far, liked most of the zombies and/or end of the world books I've read.
I liked this as well. It seems as if the author knows exactly what he's doing when he writes about the zombies themselves and how people survive during an attack or outbreak.
The biggest thing I did not like about the book - and this is fairly large in this story - is the relationship aspect. I just can't stop thinking that any normal person, young or not, wouldn't act as Morgan and Alex acted. I understand crushes and love and all that good stuff but when zombies are trying to eat me? Yeah, I'm not giving a shit about a crush, love, OR sex. I'm giving a shit about not being torn to pieces by flesh eating monsters. So, I thought those parts of the book were horribly unrealistic and unfortunately there are many parts of the book that deal with this.
I think I can see where the author was going. Trying to add a twist in to the zombie genre and I suppose it could even be done well. Strike that - it has been done well. The first book(s) that come to mind that do the relationship aspect realistically are Rhiannon Frater's As the World Dies trilogy which includes The First Days, Fighting to Survive, and Siege. Those books hold a very realistic relationship (more than one actually) that have stayed in my minds through the past few years.
I'd like to actually state some differences between the relationships in Frater's trilogy and Knuth's After Life but I can't. I have to chalk it up to it's just the feeling I got.
That being said, I do believe Knuth has a knack for zombie writing. I mean, let's face it, it's not easy no matter what some people want to believe. Saying you can write or can write better than someone is definitely easy but actually doing said writing is a lot more difficult.
My favorite part of the book - and the most suspenseful IMO - was the time in the Wal-Mart. I sort of thought I knew where Knuth was headed but was off a little a time or two and it could be called 'edge of your seat' reading during those parts.
I'd very much like to read a more "typical" zombie book by Knuth, one not so focused on the characters finding love. But maybe that's because I haven't worked my way through the genre like more knowledgeable readers.
I liked this as well. It seems as if the author knows exactly what he's doing when he writes about the zombies themselves and how people survive during an attack or outbreak.
The biggest thing I did not like about the book - and this is fairly large in this story - is the relationship aspect. I just can't stop thinking that any normal person, young or not, wouldn't act as Morgan and Alex acted. I understand crushes and love and all that good stuff but when zombies are trying to eat me? Yeah, I'm not giving a shit about a crush, love, OR sex. I'm giving a shit about not being torn to pieces by flesh eating monsters. So, I thought those parts of the book were horribly unrealistic and unfortunately there are many parts of the book that deal with this.
I think I can see where the author was going. Trying to add a twist in to the zombie genre and I suppose it could even be done well. Strike that - it has been done well. The first book(s) that come to mind that do the relationship aspect realistically are Rhiannon Frater's As the World Dies trilogy which includes The First Days, Fighting to Survive, and Siege. Those books hold a very realistic relationship (more than one actually) that have stayed in my minds through the past few years.
I'd like to actually state some differences between the relationships in Frater's trilogy and Knuth's After Life but I can't. I have to chalk it up to it's just the feeling I got.
That being said, I do believe Knuth has a knack for zombie writing. I mean, let's face it, it's not easy no matter what some people want to believe. Saying you can write or can write better than someone is definitely easy but actually doing said writing is a lot more difficult.
My favorite part of the book - and the most suspenseful IMO - was the time in the Wal-Mart. I sort of thought I knew where Knuth was headed but was off a little a time or two and it could be called 'edge of your seat' reading during those parts.
I'd very much like to read a more "typical" zombie book by Knuth, one not so focused on the characters finding love. But maybe that's because I haven't worked my way through the genre like more knowledgeable readers.
December 15, 2011
The dead have started to come back and eat people. Alex and Morgan are in love but too angsty to say so. They try to survive.. ish. That about sums it up.
It wasn't bad, I just found that it lulled alot in quite a few places. There just wasnt as much surviving as I would have wished. But there was some really intense parts no doubt. I did like the fact that they pretty much looked out for number one. I think that would be the most realistic way that a zombie apocalypse would be done, in the sense that people would look out for themselves and their loved ones before perfect strangers, and as harsh as that sounds, there wouldnt be people risking their lives for others. Thats what I think anyways...
I'm not sure if I just completely missed it, but there was really never any explaination as to what brought them back to life. But then again, its not like you'd have some scientific analysis with you in the middle of it all going "Hmmm yes, I see what is going on here, hmmm... It looks to be a viral blood infection with hmmm extraordinary blood counts that are molecular progressing in an hmm accelerated rate!...." (yes that is my nerd speak, it sounds much better in my head, just picture with a squeaky voice =] Also I'm sure that sentence makes no sense, but whatevs). So that didnt really bother me.
What did bother me though is Alex and Morgan. It was completely nauseating the way they bounced back and forth between "i think i like him/her, but no this is so wrong people want to eat my brains, I shouldnt be focusing on love at a time like this." UMMM?? Then stop being all angsty over it and get your shit done! The ending was too abrupt as well. I was just reading along about them surviving and them BAAM . I was like.. Wait.. What? that's it?
Overall, it wasnt the worst zombie book I've read. But for me, the whole reason I read zombie books is for the survival aspect. I love reading about then travelling, outrunning, hidding and raiding. And the OPPS RYAN JUST GOT OMNOMNOM BY SOME ZOMBIES oh well have a sobfest later, we gotta keep going! <-- Thats why I like zombies, but this just didnt do it for me. Doesnt mean some people wont like it, it just didnt wow me or get my adrenaline going.
It wasn't bad, I just found that it lulled alot in quite a few places. There just wasnt as much surviving as I would have wished. But there was some really intense parts no doubt. I did like the fact that they pretty much looked out for number one. I think that would be the most realistic way that a zombie apocalypse would be done, in the sense that people would look out for themselves and their loved ones before perfect strangers, and as harsh as that sounds, there wouldnt be people risking their lives for others. Thats what I think anyways...
I'm not sure if I just completely missed it, but there was really never any explaination as to what brought them back to life. But then again, its not like you'd have some scientific analysis with you in the middle of it all going "Hmmm yes, I see what is going on here, hmmm... It looks to be a viral blood infection with hmmm extraordinary blood counts that are molecular progressing in an hmm accelerated rate!...." (yes that is my nerd speak, it sounds much better in my head, just picture with a squeaky voice =] Also I'm sure that sentence makes no sense, but whatevs). So that didnt really bother me.
What did bother me though is Alex and Morgan. It was completely nauseating the way they bounced back and forth between "i think i like him/her, but no this is so wrong people want to eat my brains, I shouldnt be focusing on love at a time like this." UMMM?? Then stop being all angsty over it and get your shit done! The ending was too abrupt as well. I was just reading along about them surviving and them BAAM . I was like.. Wait.. What? that's it?
Overall, it wasnt the worst zombie book I've read. But for me, the whole reason I read zombie books is for the survival aspect. I love reading about then travelling, outrunning, hidding and raiding. And the OPPS RYAN JUST GOT OMNOMNOM BY SOME ZOMBIES oh well have a sobfest later, we gotta keep going! <-- Thats why I like zombies, but this just didnt do it for me. Doesnt mean some people wont like it, it just didnt wow me or get my adrenaline going.
April 30, 2010
Sigh. No, really. SIGH. You know, I really, really hate it when I am all ready and excited to sink my teeth (heh) into a new zombie book and it lets me down. I guess there is only so much you can do with the zombie formula at this point, and I always like it when there are some new and different twists.
There really arent't any in this book, but the story had a proper ending, which a lot of these books don't. I think I get what the author was trying to do, but it really just comes across as a zombie romance. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it wasn't what I want out of a zombie book.
Honestly, I'd probably give it 3.5 stars, but the lack of editing in self published works just really irks me and takes away from my enjoyment. When I am having to edit as I go along, I cannot immerse myself in the story the way I want to.
At one point, a character who has just been killed shows up in the next chapter. Really??
The author definitely is off to a good start, just needs a little polishing, and the book is added to my my zombie collection.
There really arent't any in this book, but the story had a proper ending, which a lot of these books don't. I think I get what the author was trying to do, but it really just comes across as a zombie romance. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it wasn't what I want out of a zombie book.
Honestly, I'd probably give it 3.5 stars, but the lack of editing in self published works just really irks me and takes away from my enjoyment. When I am having to edit as I go along, I cannot immerse myself in the story the way I want to.
At one point, a character who has just been killed shows up in the next chapter. Really??
The author definitely is off to a good start, just needs a little polishing, and the book is added to my my zombie collection.
December 17, 2011
One of the best love stories I've year in a year, at least. Sure, it has zombies. Yeah, the world has ended, and people in Wal-Marts across the nation are still crazy whack jobs. But the love story between the two friends, out shines the awesome gore scenes, the dramatic on the edge of your seat parts of them trying to get food from other apartments and having to fight with the inhabitants, or even the funny/silly parts of them getting drunk on the roof.
The world has ended. People are dead and coming back. Red-necks inherit the earth by hiding in Wal-Mart. And people are effed up no matter what. But love still goes on.
The world has ended. People are dead and coming back. Red-necks inherit the earth by hiding in Wal-Mart. And people are effed up no matter what. But love still goes on.
August 21, 2013
This started off quite good, and gruesome.
Though, as it progressed i was bored.
It really annoyed me how long it took for Morgan to accept they were zombies.
When you've just seen someone die, get back up, then eat someone else, i think it's easy to know they're zombies!
Morgan and Alex's relationship did annoy me at points, because i found the story to be more about "i really like you, but we can't.. can we?" than trying to survive.
The bit in Walmart was kind of good, but after being bored for so long, it didn't do enough to make me like the book.
I did like the ending though. It tied things up nicely, and was quite sweet.
Though, as it progressed i was bored.
It really annoyed me how long it took for Morgan to accept they were zombies.
When you've just seen someone die, get back up, then eat someone else, i think it's easy to know they're zombies!
Morgan and Alex's relationship did annoy me at points, because i found the story to be more about "i really like you, but we can't.. can we?" than trying to survive.
The bit in Walmart was kind of good, but after being bored for so long, it didn't do enough to make me like the book.
I did like the ending though. It tied things up nicely, and was quite sweet.
November 9, 2010
After Life By Jaron Lee Knuth was a great quick read! I sat down to read this book with low expectations and was pleasantly surprised! This book was a real page turner and kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I did feel like it kind of ended abruptly like possibly the Author was rushed. but other than that I really liked it. the characters were realistic and likable. i would recommend this book!
November 2, 2010
I agree with what I've read elsewhere that it started slow, but got cranking later. I like this zombie story because it was the first one I've read that I thought included a solid romance as well.
June 28, 2013
It was good, and I love the ending.
April 10, 2017
Just your typical run of the mill zombie story with some very flat characters. Every single character seemed to have been written the same exact way and had the personality of a wet leaf. I've met caterpillars in my garden that had more character.
January 8, 2015
Title: After Life
Author: Jaron Lee Knuth
Rating: 4 stars
One of my biggest fears is zombies. Go ahead and laugh, it's okay, I forgive you. Is it irrational? Perhaps. Silly? Kind of. But I can't help what I fear. Even though I'm terrified of the thought of zombies and a zombie apocalypse, the idea thrills me just as much. I love anything that has to do with zombies - I've seen dozens of zombie flicks and read many zombie books. It's true that I fear them, but somehow they appeal to me just as much. Even the crappy films and books about zombies are fun for me; I'm not sure why. I'm weird, I know. But I will literally read anything about the living dead, which is why After Life seemed like the perfect novel to pick up and read.
After Life is about Alex and his best friend Morgan, who take shelter in Alex's apartment after "things go down," which is code-word for "the end of the world," "the zombie apocalypse," etc. etc. Although Morgan is engaged to her fiance Christopher, Alex can't help but have feelings for her. Holed up in the apartment for days on end, the two have plenty of time to think and reflect on their life in the "old world." They begin to realize the trivialities of things like movies, toys, gossip, and relationships, and begin to discover what kind of things they will do to stay alive.
As far as zombie books go, this one wasn't as action-packed as you might hope for. I, on the other hand, found it refreshing to not have zombie action every other page. I enjoyed seeing the humans struggle with their new reality and their emotions. I liked that the book was told in third-person omniscient - I don't read many books like that. I found myself jealous of the way Alex thought of and felt about Morgan...I hope one day someone feels that strongly about me.
Ending a book is a difficult enough task, but I feel like ending an apocalypse book is even harder. I love seeing how different authors conclude their zombie books, and this one had a unique ending. Sometimes I enjoy the darker novels with everybody dying at the end, and sometimes I enjoy a happy ending with a group of survivors. Please read this excellent novel and find out what kind of ending it had.
Author: Jaron Lee Knuth
Rating: 4 stars
One of my biggest fears is zombies. Go ahead and laugh, it's okay, I forgive you. Is it irrational? Perhaps. Silly? Kind of. But I can't help what I fear. Even though I'm terrified of the thought of zombies and a zombie apocalypse, the idea thrills me just as much. I love anything that has to do with zombies - I've seen dozens of zombie flicks and read many zombie books. It's true that I fear them, but somehow they appeal to me just as much. Even the crappy films and books about zombies are fun for me; I'm not sure why. I'm weird, I know. But I will literally read anything about the living dead, which is why After Life seemed like the perfect novel to pick up and read.
After Life is about Alex and his best friend Morgan, who take shelter in Alex's apartment after "things go down," which is code-word for "the end of the world," "the zombie apocalypse," etc. etc. Although Morgan is engaged to her fiance Christopher, Alex can't help but have feelings for her. Holed up in the apartment for days on end, the two have plenty of time to think and reflect on their life in the "old world." They begin to realize the trivialities of things like movies, toys, gossip, and relationships, and begin to discover what kind of things they will do to stay alive.
As far as zombie books go, this one wasn't as action-packed as you might hope for. I, on the other hand, found it refreshing to not have zombie action every other page. I enjoyed seeing the humans struggle with their new reality and their emotions. I liked that the book was told in third-person omniscient - I don't read many books like that. I found myself jealous of the way Alex thought of and felt about Morgan...I hope one day someone feels that strongly about me.
Ending a book is a difficult enough task, but I feel like ending an apocalypse book is even harder. I love seeing how different authors conclude their zombie books, and this one had a unique ending. Sometimes I enjoy the darker novels with everybody dying at the end, and sometimes I enjoy a happy ending with a group of survivors. Please read this excellent novel and find out what kind of ending it had.
January 3, 2012
Overall, Afterlife is a decently crafted book. I certainly wish I had read it early on in my zombie lit experience because, although a well crafted piece, nothing new was gained in my mind.
Afterlife follows the formula of a good zombie book pretty closely, and manages to throw in a little romance to boot.
I would recommend Afterlife to someone who is just trying out the genre. It's a good "gateway book", and there was nothing in particular that annoyed me. It was engaging, well written, and focused on the human story as opposed to being overly concerned with action, blood, guts and gore. My only criticism is of my own doing-I have read SO much books in this genre of the last year, that I am now seeking different spins on the often formulatic zombie story, and this one would have served me better as an initiation read.
Afterlife follows the formula of a good zombie book pretty closely, and manages to throw in a little romance to boot.
I would recommend Afterlife to someone who is just trying out the genre. It's a good "gateway book", and there was nothing in particular that annoyed me. It was engaging, well written, and focused on the human story as opposed to being overly concerned with action, blood, guts and gore. My only criticism is of my own doing-I have read SO much books in this genre of the last year, that I am now seeking different spins on the often formulatic zombie story, and this one would have served me better as an initiation read.
January 31, 2012
Just finished reading it and I cried my eyes out, I think the ending was sweet but the author should have had more interaction between Alex and Morgan, I think it shouldn't have ended like that and it would have been better with another book, to see what happened after they left his dad's house as it is all rather confusing.
It also does not explain what happened to all of the Zombies and how they managed to find a cottage and live a normal life. It also never explained how Morgan and Alex finally got together, but overall it was enjoyable and I would definitely recommend this book to others.
It also does not explain what happened to all of the Zombies and how they managed to find a cottage and live a normal life. It also never explained how Morgan and Alex finally got together, but overall it was enjoyable and I would definitely recommend this book to others.
July 7, 2013
Hmmm, how do I feel about this story? Well, I guess it wasn't quite what I was expecting, but that isn't to say I didn't like it. There was an enormous amount of blood and gore, with the author giving great detail. I was hoping there would be more about Morgan and Alex as a couple, but that was highly brushed over so don't expect romance because you won't read about it. This was more a story about survival and what people would do in order to assure their survival. I think both Alex and Morgan really grew from their experiences.
April 14, 2013
I found this as a free kindle book, and because of that had low expectations for this read. But... I was mind blow by what a great story it was. Except for the few typos, its excelently writen. The story started a bit slow for me, but by day 4 I was hooked! Great read, if you are a consistant zombie reader, light romancer or even just an action fan. This is one fiction novel you cant pass up. I have every intention to buy this one in print to keep on my shelf to reread!
April 9, 2014
Another can't put down zombie apocalypse book that is a definite recommendation for the science fiction fans out there!
I'm afraid to say anything about this book for fear of messing it up for anyone interested. Just read it!
I'm afraid to say anything about this book for fear of messing it up for anyone interested. Just read it!
April 15, 2011
Nice easy read.
August 12, 2012
Very easy read. The author is very good at writing action. I usually don't read zombie books but this one was really good.
December 15, 2015
LOVED IT!
July 13, 2013
My first zombie book and def not my last. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Reminded me a lot of 28 days and 28weeks later. Both are films I enjoyed
January 5, 2018
I bought this book due to its glowing reviews, and I was disappointed that so few mentioned After Life's glaring mechanical writing issues. The book lacks polish; it's pockmarked with labored descriptions, missing punctuation, embarrassingly misspelled words (a conversational transition is not a "segway"; corpses do not lie "in taters" on the ground), and an overall lack of narrative style. It's extremely uneven in presentation and, for the first quarter of the book, a labor to read. The author hits a better stride as the action picks up, and his take on society's breakdown during the zombie apocalypse feels plausible -- but getting there was, at times, excruciating. Also, prepare for the drama to turn to eye-rolling melodrama at times.
This could really benefit from collaboration with an actual editor, which is not the same as an automatic spell-checker (which is almost certainly the reason that the lead character, while driving a car, "slams on the breaks"). The compelling parts of the narrative and interesting characterizations would shine through if the mechanics and stylistic choices could be addressed, refined, and just flat-out corrected. After Life is not a bad story; it's just in need of a more skilled storyteller.
This could really benefit from collaboration with an actual editor, which is not the same as an automatic spell-checker (which is almost certainly the reason that the lead character, while driving a car, "slams on the breaks"). The compelling parts of the narrative and interesting characterizations would shine through if the mechanics and stylistic choices could be addressed, refined, and just flat-out corrected. After Life is not a bad story; it's just in need of a more skilled storyteller.
October 8, 2024
Very well written and exciting! There were never any dry spots, something was always happening and I was so thankful for that. So many zombie books are filled with nonsense that it is so refreshing to read one so entertaining. Highly recommend for someone wanting a good, spooky zombie story!
June 16, 2017
Its a zombie book!
Was it worth reading yes was it cheap yes did i read it multiple times yes. Would i buy it again yes
Was it worth reading yes was it cheap yes did i read it multiple times yes. Would i buy it again yes
March 15, 2010
Let me start out by saying that I am a huge zombie fan. Zombie movies just cause hours of enjoyment while simultaneously scaring the hell out of me. When it comes to reading zombie books, I'm also a little apprehensive because I'm not seeing the gore and horror on screen. I've only read one previous zombie book (The Forest of Hands and Teeth) and enjoyed it and since I saw that After Life was only 99 cents in Kindle format, I decided to buy it. I thought that it was just okay.
After Life starts out with a bang. The two main characters, Alex and Morgan are in a diner before all hell breaks loose in the form of zombies. Yet while the book was going on, I couldn't help but feel like it was extremely repetitive. Then, there were other instances where absolutely nothing of interest what's happening.
Another aspect that bothered me was the whole romance between Alex and Morgan. Well, not really the "romance" so much as their repetitive whining of it. If you like each other just say it. It's less annoying that way. If you're thinking "But we're in the middle of zombie mayhem! Now is so not the time", well you'd be right. So just put it out of your mind. It's less eye-roll inducing for the rest of us.
Besides the two annoying main characters and their constant relationship woes, the book did have some really good moments. I liked that it showed the way humanity would disintegrate realistically. Let me be honest for a moment and say that if zombies really were to break out in the U.S. most people would be looking out for number 1 (and their own loved ones to that effect). There would rarely be any hero antics happening. After Life emphasized that in Morgan and Alex's behavior. They were going to look after each other...to hell with everybody else. As cynical as the thought may be, a majority of the population would do this if zombies were to break out. (Let me just mention that I'd be one of the first ones gone if zombies were to roam the Earth. I would so not survive.)
So, After Life was an enjoyable read for 99 cents. That being said, I would've been slightly disappointed if I paid $11.99 for it (the current paperback cost) as there wasn't enough closure for my taste. It should've been a bit more longer and explained itself a bit more. Still, "okay" zombie mayhem is better than none at all.
After Life starts out with a bang. The two main characters, Alex and Morgan are in a diner before all hell breaks loose in the form of zombies. Yet while the book was going on, I couldn't help but feel like it was extremely repetitive. Then, there were other instances where absolutely nothing of interest what's happening.
Another aspect that bothered me was the whole romance between Alex and Morgan. Well, not really the "romance" so much as their repetitive whining of it. If you like each other just say it. It's less annoying that way. If you're thinking "But we're in the middle of zombie mayhem! Now is so not the time", well you'd be right. So just put it out of your mind. It's less eye-roll inducing for the rest of us.
Besides the two annoying main characters and their constant relationship woes, the book did have some really good moments. I liked that it showed the way humanity would disintegrate realistically. Let me be honest for a moment and say that if zombies really were to break out in the U.S. most people would be looking out for number 1 (and their own loved ones to that effect). There would rarely be any hero antics happening. After Life emphasized that in Morgan and Alex's behavior. They were going to look after each other...to hell with everybody else. As cynical as the thought may be, a majority of the population would do this if zombies were to break out. (Let me just mention that I'd be one of the first ones gone if zombies were to roam the Earth. I would so not survive.)
So, After Life was an enjoyable read for 99 cents. That being said, I would've been slightly disappointed if I paid $11.99 for it (the current paperback cost) as there wasn't enough closure for my taste. It should've been a bit more longer and explained itself a bit more. Still, "okay" zombie mayhem is better than none at all.
March 27, 2011
I hope most people that see the 3-star rating don't think it's a bad thing. Most sites say that 3-star means that you liked the book and I did like and enjoy "After Life" by Jaron Lee Knuth.
Most of us as readers recognize that many (if not most) zombie books are cookie cutter. A lot of folks find that to be a negative thing, but I don't think it has to be bad in all cases.
Sure, a lot of zombie stories start off with the "event" (plague, virus, aliens, mad cow infected hamburgers...etc), then the zombies rising up, people not recognizing what's going on, lots of death and carnage - and then a small ragtag group of folks fighting to survive.
See, I like that stuff. I really do. My point of view is to see how the author tells his version of the story. It's interesting to me to see how the author unfolds his specific version of the world ending events. To see how his characters behave. How they interact with the world around them.
Key to me is the reflection in the work that the zombies are surely dangerous, but at least their motives are 100% sure - they will eat you if they catch you. My thing, what I enjoy the most, is how will one stranger interact with another at the end of the world? Friend or foe?
As for this book, I enjoyed following Alex and Morgan along their troubled relationship into the zombie apocalypse. I liked meeting the residents of their apartment as the story unfolded.
Quite a few characters paraded through this book, but the main focus was Alex and Morgan. How would they interact with each other? They had a past that didn't quite turn out how they wanted. Life had moved on and they had become numb.
Then the zombies came.
The scenes taking place towards the end of the book at the local Walmart was quite interesting. The ending of the book sent a message abut how we are treating the world.
Good read overall.
Most of us as readers recognize that many (if not most) zombie books are cookie cutter. A lot of folks find that to be a negative thing, but I don't think it has to be bad in all cases.
Sure, a lot of zombie stories start off with the "event" (plague, virus, aliens, mad cow infected hamburgers...etc), then the zombies rising up, people not recognizing what's going on, lots of death and carnage - and then a small ragtag group of folks fighting to survive.
See, I like that stuff. I really do. My point of view is to see how the author tells his version of the story. It's interesting to me to see how the author unfolds his specific version of the world ending events. To see how his characters behave. How they interact with the world around them.
Key to me is the reflection in the work that the zombies are surely dangerous, but at least their motives are 100% sure - they will eat you if they catch you. My thing, what I enjoy the most, is how will one stranger interact with another at the end of the world? Friend or foe?
As for this book, I enjoyed following Alex and Morgan along their troubled relationship into the zombie apocalypse. I liked meeting the residents of their apartment as the story unfolded.
Quite a few characters paraded through this book, but the main focus was Alex and Morgan. How would they interact with each other? They had a past that didn't quite turn out how they wanted. Life had moved on and they had become numb.
Then the zombies came.
The scenes taking place towards the end of the book at the local Walmart was quite interesting. The ending of the book sent a message abut how we are treating the world.
Good read overall.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2014
So there is this guy, who is an Walmart employee (he tried studying IT at college, but man, this was way too boring and easy). He wants to boink his bff, but to his shock and horror, she gets engaged to a rich guy with a career (what a jerk that other guy is!). His neighbor is a nasty racist sexist not-hugging-his-daughter and possibly-not-huggable pr*ck and his life is meaningless (the Walmart guy´s, not the neighbor´s) . But then! The zombie apocalypse comes and all his dreams come true. He becomes a man!
But, darnit, this book could have been awesome without the zombie apocalypse.
But, darnit, this book could have been awesome without the zombie apocalypse.
June 29, 2010
Disappointing. The idea and story line started out good enough. But it was as though at some point there was a whole book and half of it got edited out. the descriptions were lacking, the situations were simplistic, and there was hardly any resolution to those simple conflicts.
Was a Bummer cause I could've spent the time on another book I am finishing.
Was a Bummer cause I could've spent the time on another book I am finishing.
June 30, 2013
3 stars, maybe 2 and a half...
I don't know what to say about this book other than "ok".
While the story itself was reasonable, albeit a little predictable, I found the words used to be very repetitive. There was many times where different adjectives could have been used instead of repeating the same word.
Was an ok read though, I don't regret the time I spent on the book.
I don't know what to say about this book other than "ok".
While the story itself was reasonable, albeit a little predictable, I found the words used to be very repetitive. There was many times where different adjectives could have been used instead of repeating the same word.
Was an ok read though, I don't regret the time I spent on the book.
October 12, 2013
This book was surprisingly good for yet another zombie story. I was pleasantly surprised. He really talked about survival, pushing Alex and Morgan to face death head on. They made the conscious choice of doing what it takes to survive and save the ones you love. Pretty bloody and gory but well worth the read.
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