What do you think?
Rate this book
Memorial Trilogy #2
Ashton Memorial
It is the day after the end of the world. Angie Land and her two children are homeless, desperate and on the run from the hordes of corpses that have risen to consume the living. Parker Welch, a local hunter who also survived the end, is on a mission to find his estranged daughters. All are headed to the city of Ashton, which has also fallen to the undead. And conditions at Ashton Memorial Zoo are going downhill from there...
314 pages, Paperback
First published July 16, 2010
5 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
About the author
Robert R. Best
12 books36 followersRobert R Best writes stories in which horrible things happen to people. Works include the werewolf novel New Year’s Day, the zombie-themed Memorial Trilogy and others. He has a habit of sneaking up on people who are reading his bio. Watch out.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 17, 2010
Ashton Memorial starts off where Lakewood Memorial left off, with Angie, her two kids, and Parker, the man they met at the hospital in the first book, on the run as the zombie apocalypse has begun. Robert Best continues to heap plenty of action onto this saga, with rarely a page going by without some sort of zombie mayhem taking place. Maylee and Dalton, the two kids in this tale, have learned how to deal with the undead-particularly Maylee, who has become somewhat of an expert with the use of a baseball bat.
The quartet make their way to Ashton, a larger city where Park's twin teenage daughters live with their mom and step dad. They figure out upon their arrival that the girls have made their way to the Ashton Memorial Zoo, where Gregory, the step dad of the girls, works. The story works well as an study of how people react to intense situations and start to crumble under pressure and fear. I do think that perhaps a few of the folks were a bit over the top in how zealous they were and how devolved they were in the face of the horrible situation they faced, but still this was a intriguing journey for the main characters with how they dealt with the undead, the living, and the animals, which have gone berserk as the dead have risen. The changes in the animals was the most interesting part of the book for me. They aren't infected, or so it seems, and they don't have any interest in the undead, but they want to kill the living human beings, as if they blame them for what has happened to their world. It would be interesting to see if that plays a part in the third book or not, but I thought it was a highly interesting and creative approach to involving the rest of the animal kingdom in the zombocalypse.
Mr. Best has also done an interesting job of embracing swearing in both books in this trilogy. I know there are some authors out there, and plenty of readers, who would prefer that there be no swearing or cussing in their stories, but Robert has gone the opposite route, making an effort to have his characters become master vulgarians. It serves as comic relief, in my humble opinion, as you read the story. Certainly, I think the story could have been done with less cursing, but some of the verbal combinations are so creative they are actually impressive. So I guess the key is to note that the cursing is ample here and just embrace it.
Overall, this book, like the last one, are fun, gory, action-packed zombie apocalypse novels filled with mayhem and chaos aplenty. The author has no fear of killing people off, and does toss in some good surprises for the reader along the way. Again, I think there were perhaps a few overreactions by some folks in terms of how desperate they become and how willingly violent they are just a couple days into the zombocalypse, but I certainly wouldn't put it past some folks out there to go completely bonkers within a few hours of seeing the dead rise. Beside that minor gripe, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to the final chapter in the Memorial trilogy.
The quartet make their way to Ashton, a larger city where Park's twin teenage daughters live with their mom and step dad. They figure out upon their arrival that the girls have made their way to the Ashton Memorial Zoo, where Gregory, the step dad of the girls, works. The story works well as an study of how people react to intense situations and start to crumble under pressure and fear. I do think that perhaps a few of the folks were a bit over the top in how zealous they were and how devolved they were in the face of the horrible situation they faced, but still this was a intriguing journey for the main characters with how they dealt with the undead, the living, and the animals, which have gone berserk as the dead have risen. The changes in the animals was the most interesting part of the book for me. They aren't infected, or so it seems, and they don't have any interest in the undead, but they want to kill the living human beings, as if they blame them for what has happened to their world. It would be interesting to see if that plays a part in the third book or not, but I thought it was a highly interesting and creative approach to involving the rest of the animal kingdom in the zombocalypse.
Mr. Best has also done an interesting job of embracing swearing in both books in this trilogy. I know there are some authors out there, and plenty of readers, who would prefer that there be no swearing or cussing in their stories, but Robert has gone the opposite route, making an effort to have his characters become master vulgarians. It serves as comic relief, in my humble opinion, as you read the story. Certainly, I think the story could have been done with less cursing, but some of the verbal combinations are so creative they are actually impressive. So I guess the key is to note that the cursing is ample here and just embrace it.
Overall, this book, like the last one, are fun, gory, action-packed zombie apocalypse novels filled with mayhem and chaos aplenty. The author has no fear of killing people off, and does toss in some good surprises for the reader along the way. Again, I think there were perhaps a few overreactions by some folks in terms of how desperate they become and how willingly violent they are just a couple days into the zombocalypse, but I certainly wouldn't put it past some folks out there to go completely bonkers within a few hours of seeing the dead rise. Beside that minor gripe, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to the final chapter in the Memorial trilogy.
September 18, 2010
Ashton Memorial by Robert R Best takes place immediately after it’s predecessor Lakewood Memorial After a difficult battle, Angie Land and her two children are reunited and on the run from the hordes of undead that are eyeing them like Happy Meals. Parker Welch, who also survived the initial battle, joins them in their escape from the hospital, but has a mission of his own. He needs to get to Ashton where his daughters live with their mother and stepfather. The journey takes them to the Ashton Memorial Zoo where the clichéd term of a chaotic place being referred to as a “zoo” takes on a whole new meaning in a world where the dead walk among us.
Ashton Memorial is very fast paced and action oriented, which, for the most part, worked well for me. Robert R Best did a good job putting the characters in situations where they needed to think their way out and use items that were available to them to clear their path of the shambling masses. Although, there were a few instances here and there where I felt a scene was maybe too easily escaped, especially with no injury or death. I loved that the survivors end up in a zoo. This was a new and very interesting location when dealing with hordes of flesh-eating fiends.
I enjoyed many of the characters, both old and new, and was glad to see that we continued to follow the story of the Land family along with Park as he searches for his daughters. I will admit that the Park storyline left a bit of a sour taste in my mouth, but not because of bad writing or storyline. His story just hit on some personal issues from my life and I found myself wanting to quickly get past certain scenes. There were, also, a couple of characters that we come across that I feel went off the deep end a little too quickly and too easily. I’m not saying some people would not lose it in the event of a zombie apocalypse, but there seemed to be way too many people in this one small area ready to flay an innocent survivor on day 2ish of the outbreak just for some food.
Even with the few things that bothered me, you can chalk one up to another enjoyable read by Robert R Best.
Ashton Memorial is very fast paced and action oriented, which, for the most part, worked well for me. Robert R Best did a good job putting the characters in situations where they needed to think their way out and use items that were available to them to clear their path of the shambling masses. Although, there were a few instances here and there where I felt a scene was maybe too easily escaped, especially with no injury or death. I loved that the survivors end up in a zoo. This was a new and very interesting location when dealing with hordes of flesh-eating fiends.
I enjoyed many of the characters, both old and new, and was glad to see that we continued to follow the story of the Land family along with Park as he searches for his daughters. I will admit that the Park storyline left a bit of a sour taste in my mouth, but not because of bad writing or storyline. His story just hit on some personal issues from my life and I found myself wanting to quickly get past certain scenes. There were, also, a couple of characters that we come across that I feel went off the deep end a little too quickly and too easily. I’m not saying some people would not lose it in the event of a zombie apocalypse, but there seemed to be way too many people in this one small area ready to flay an innocent survivor on day 2ish of the outbreak just for some food.
Even with the few things that bothered me, you can chalk one up to another enjoyable read by Robert R Best.
September 18, 2010
Ashton Memorial by Robert R Best takes place immediately after it’s predecessor Lakewood Memorial (click HERE for my review of Lakewood Memorial) After a difficult battle, Angie Land and her two children are reunited and on the run from the hordes of undead that are eyeing them like Happy Meals. Parker Welch, who also survived the initial battle, joins them in their escape from the hospital, but has a mission of his own. He needs to get to Ashton where his daughters live with their mother and stepfather. The journey takes them to the Ashton Memorial Zoo where the clichéd term of a chaotic place being referred to as a “zoo” takes on a whole new meaning in a world where the dead walk among us.
Ashton Memorial is very fast paced and action oriented, which, for the most part, worked well for me. Robert R Best did a good job putting the characters in situations where they needed to think their way out and use items that were available to them to clear their path of the shambling masses. Although, there were a few instances here and there where I felt a scene was maybe too easily escaped, especially with no injury or death. I loved that the survivors end up in a zoo. This was a new and very interesting location when dealing with hordes of flesh-eating fiends.
I enjoyed many of the characters, both old and new, and was glad to see that we continued to follow the story of the Land family along with Park as he searches for his daughters. I will admit that the Park storyline left a bit of a sour taste in my mouth, but not because of bad writing or storyline. His story just hit on some personal issues from my life and I found myself wanting to quickly get past certain scenes. There were, also, a couple of characters that we come across that I feel went off the deep end a little too quickly and too easily. I’m not saying some people would not lose it in the event of a zombie apocalypse, but there seemed to be way too many people in this one small area ready to flay an innocent survivor on day 2ish of the outbreak just for some food.
Even with the few things that bothered me, you can chalk one up to another enjoyable read by Robert R Best.
Ashton Memorial is very fast paced and action oriented, which, for the most part, worked well for me. Robert R Best did a good job putting the characters in situations where they needed to think their way out and use items that were available to them to clear their path of the shambling masses. Although, there were a few instances here and there where I felt a scene was maybe too easily escaped, especially with no injury or death. I loved that the survivors end up in a zoo. This was a new and very interesting location when dealing with hordes of flesh-eating fiends.
I enjoyed many of the characters, both old and new, and was glad to see that we continued to follow the story of the Land family along with Park as he searches for his daughters. I will admit that the Park storyline left a bit of a sour taste in my mouth, but not because of bad writing or storyline. His story just hit on some personal issues from my life and I found myself wanting to quickly get past certain scenes. There were, also, a couple of characters that we come across that I feel went off the deep end a little too quickly and too easily. I’m not saying some people would not lose it in the event of a zombie apocalypse, but there seemed to be way too many people in this one small area ready to flay an innocent survivor on day 2ish of the outbreak just for some food.
Even with the few things that bothered me, you can chalk one up to another enjoyable read by Robert R Best.
September 30, 2010
An action-packed follow up to Lakewood Memorial. The zoo. The zoo? THE ZOO? How innovative! Actually, a zoo really COULD be a good place to ride out the zombocalypse when you think about it. If not for all the wild animals, that is. But seriously, the zoo is kind of like the Noah's ark of the zombocalypse.
While I did enjoy this book, the situations that Angie, Parker and the kids got out of time after time when all others they encountered wound up dead got to be a little unbelieveable.
I like both Angie's and Maylee's growth during the story (has it really only been, like, THREE DAYS?), and Maylee has just become REALLY GOOD with that bat.
I hope Parker comes to his senses; I hope Angie finds a home for her kids; I hope Dalton can make people more like him and take back all that humanity has lost....stay tuned.
While I did enjoy this book, the situations that Angie, Parker and the kids got out of time after time when all others they encountered wound up dead got to be a little unbelieveable.
I like both Angie's and Maylee's growth during the story (has it really only been, like, THREE DAYS?), and Maylee has just become REALLY GOOD with that bat.
I hope Parker comes to his senses; I hope Angie finds a home for her kids; I hope Dalton can make people more like him and take back all that humanity has lost....stay tuned.
February 2, 2020
3.5 stars
February 15, 2012
Robert R. Best, Ashton Memorial (CreateSpace, 2010)
After finishing up Lakewood Memorial, the first of Best's projected Memorial trilogy (the third should be released later this year), I wasn't thrilled, but I was intrigued enough to check out the second volume in the trilogy given that while Best wasn't really doing anything new with the material, he could at least write it well enough to keep me interested and minimize the damage from some of the shortcomings. Now I've finished Ashton Memorial, book two, and what I most feared occurred: those shortcomings roared into life, taking center stage and crushing the momentum, and very nearly the life, out of the series.
The first of these shortcomings, which was more restrained in book one than the second, has been mentioned in any number of reviews, so I'll just touch on it here: Best's use of profanity has gotten way, way out of control. While it wasn't at a level in Lakewood Memorial that showed the kind of thoughtful precision I would have liked (a great example of what I mean by that is Joseph Finder's wonderful novel Paranoia), he at least kept it to a dull roar. Not so here, and other reviewers have already posted the most unintentionally amusing examples.
The second is a bit more distressing, and yet it hasn't been addressed by anyone. Best is attempting to make the personalities of his characters age-appropriate, and to an extent that is to be commended. But Best's younger characters tend to sound and act much, much younger than they are; Dalton's age is given a few times as twelve, but without that, I'd have pegged him at seven or eight. Same with the supposedly sixteen-year-old Ella; even now that I've finished the book and know there are no references to it within, I wonder whether Best meant her to be mentally challenged, because there's no way a sixteen-year-old, however immature, would do and say some of the things Ella does.
Those two criticisms can basically be tacked onto my review of the first book and the conglomerate could stand verbatim; other than a change of scenery and an Evil Overlord(TM), there's really not much difference between Lakewood Memorial and Ashton Memorial. Those two criticisms, however, are enough to drag the rating down an entire star. Will have to think for a while about whether I want to pursue this trilogy to its conclusion. **
After finishing up Lakewood Memorial, the first of Best's projected Memorial trilogy (the third should be released later this year), I wasn't thrilled, but I was intrigued enough to check out the second volume in the trilogy given that while Best wasn't really doing anything new with the material, he could at least write it well enough to keep me interested and minimize the damage from some of the shortcomings. Now I've finished Ashton Memorial, book two, and what I most feared occurred: those shortcomings roared into life, taking center stage and crushing the momentum, and very nearly the life, out of the series.
The first of these shortcomings, which was more restrained in book one than the second, has been mentioned in any number of reviews, so I'll just touch on it here: Best's use of profanity has gotten way, way out of control. While it wasn't at a level in Lakewood Memorial that showed the kind of thoughtful precision I would have liked (a great example of what I mean by that is Joseph Finder's wonderful novel Paranoia), he at least kept it to a dull roar. Not so here, and other reviewers have already posted the most unintentionally amusing examples.
The second is a bit more distressing, and yet it hasn't been addressed by anyone. Best is attempting to make the personalities of his characters age-appropriate, and to an extent that is to be commended. But Best's younger characters tend to sound and act much, much younger than they are; Dalton's age is given a few times as twelve, but without that, I'd have pegged him at seven or eight. Same with the supposedly sixteen-year-old Ella; even now that I've finished the book and know there are no references to it within, I wonder whether Best meant her to be mentally challenged, because there's no way a sixteen-year-old, however immature, would do and say some of the things Ella does.
Those two criticisms can basically be tacked onto my review of the first book and the conglomerate could stand verbatim; other than a change of scenery and an Evil Overlord(TM), there's really not much difference between Lakewood Memorial and Ashton Memorial. Those two criticisms, however, are enough to drag the rating down an entire star. Will have to think for a while about whether I want to pursue this trilogy to its conclusion. **
September 20, 2012
I am curious about the escalation of the outbreak. But the sheer number of near misses for characters really escaped plausibility several times.
I am aware I am writing this about a novel with zombies.
I think the big thing that took the score down was a few of the deaths near the end of the book. I am not going to spoil who bites it. But after the insane near misses throughout the book, the first one that goes had me literally saying no way. The next one, I just knew, there was no way this character was going to die. Which just meant they had to.
The next incident, kind had me cheering .... until the end of the book and the revelation for that character - .
I really loved the first book in the series. I will be picking up the third book in the series. I heard on the Night of the Living Podcast/Bloody Good Horror Horror Hound combocast that the 3rd book will jump ahead 3 years. I think that is an excellent idea. That will give the readers a group of people to get invested in and get the surviving characters to a new less whiny place.
I am also looking forward to the in development werewolf novel from Robert R. Best.
I am aware I am writing this about a novel with zombies.
I think the big thing that took the score down was a few of the deaths near the end of the book. I am not going to spoil who bites it. But after the insane near misses throughout the book, the first one that goes had me literally saying no way. The next one, I just knew, there was no way this character was going to die. Which just meant they had to.
The next incident, kind had me cheering .... until the end of the book and the revelation for that character - .
I really loved the first book in the series. I will be picking up the third book in the series. I heard on the Night of the Living Podcast/Bloody Good Horror Horror Hound combocast that the 3rd book will jump ahead 3 years. I think that is an excellent idea. That will give the readers a group of people to get invested in and get the surviving characters to a new less whiny place.
I am also looking forward to the in development werewolf novel from Robert R. Best.
January 11, 2012
I have to start by saying I don't take pleasure in writing a bad review. Just because my site is called Brutally Honest Reviews, that does not mean I sit in a room with a hatchet, waiting to pounce on some poor, unsuspecting writer. That said, there is not one thing I could think of that is nice to say about this book.
To begin with, it barely qualifies as novel-length. I don't know the exact word count, but this is a one day read for a fairly slow reader. However, that is quibbling...the ebook is cheaper. But I can not recommend this title even at the cheaper ebook price.
The dialog is tedious and almost painful to read. An editor would have helped clean up the mechanics, but it wouldn't have helped the words. To use the F-bomb in various incarnations over 260 times...for example, "**** you, you ****ing **** ****er!" said Park, kneeling. "Making me get down on my bad ****ing knee. ***!" He grabbed Chuck's hand and pried the fingers away from Angie's leg. ReallY? Is this necessary? I realize zombie fiction will never be confused with Twain, Hemmingway, or Shakespeare, but there comes a point.
The violence seems repetitious and after a while becomes as mundane as the dialog. Having read the first book in this series (it announces itself as a trilogy) I hoped that the writer might mature. If anything, I believe it got worse.
I can't recommend this book in any way.
To begin with, it barely qualifies as novel-length. I don't know the exact word count, but this is a one day read for a fairly slow reader. However, that is quibbling...the ebook is cheaper. But I can not recommend this title even at the cheaper ebook price.
The dialog is tedious and almost painful to read. An editor would have helped clean up the mechanics, but it wouldn't have helped the words. To use the F-bomb in various incarnations over 260 times...for example, "**** you, you ****ing **** ****er!" said Park, kneeling. "Making me get down on my bad ****ing knee. ***!" He grabbed Chuck's hand and pried the fingers away from Angie's leg. ReallY? Is this necessary? I realize zombie fiction will never be confused with Twain, Hemmingway, or Shakespeare, but there comes a point.
The violence seems repetitious and after a while becomes as mundane as the dialog. Having read the first book in this series (it announces itself as a trilogy) I hoped that the writer might mature. If anything, I believe it got worse.
I can't recommend this book in any way.
February 8, 2012
The second book in planned trilogy was a tremendous letdown. The characters made way too many Rookie mistakes despite the fact by a certain point they should have known better. The main issue is the subplot with Gary its a little out there. My biggest gripe is Angie and the kids they were very annoying for the first 75% of the book which I felt was dragged on a bit too long. In many ways there was too much going on while nothing was actually happening. I know that sounds confusing but a lot was going on plot wise with Gary, Parks Kids, the Keepers, the animals, and the people trapped in the zoo. Yet it seemed the characters spent a good deal of time just hunkering down in misery and nothing of any real substance happened. Overall this book rates 2.5 stars. If you want to read about a woman constantly yelling at her kids, while leading them blindly into danger have at it. This book feels different from its predecessor and not in a good way hopefully the third book will be much better.
October 14, 2013
This second book in the series has even more action than the first. This time Angie and her two children along with Parker head to the city zoo to rescue Park's twin daughters. Not only do they have to worry about zombies, but changed animals and power-crazed or desperate people. The story was constant excitement and the author does not ignore the impact of trauma on each individual. Some of the survivors snap under the pressure, while others , freeze or flee and the heroes fight for their lives. The characters don't all become fast friends, quickly working together and easily defeating the zombies, but have their own issues and quirks that don't just disappear. A good novel with lots of excitement.
July 12, 2011
The first book in the series was okay. an interesting read, (how can you go wrong with a zombie novel, right?), and I was interested in having a strong mom as the heroine. This follow up really, really blew it. I kept hoping the mother would get eaten and then killed..she grew to be so irritating and unbelievbly rediculous, constantly berating and browbeating her kids who did really well on thier own. Anyway..really dislike this book. Dont waste your time, unless you like moms that behave like bratty 10 year olds.
June 26, 2013
I REALLY liked the first of Best's Memorial trilogy, tight plotting, likeable characters and an end of the world premise added up to a really fun read. It's hard to say where the sequel goes wrong but it just didn't grip me in the same way. The zoo setting is clever and used well but the run, fight, run, fight narrative just never really catches fire. The climax is entertaining though and I will be reading the third volume.
March 17, 2011
I dont know why i bothered with this because i really didnt like the first in the series. The action was soooooooo unbelievable it wasnt even funny. Yes, I know its a zombie book so how believable could it be.......but my god how many times do I need to hear, "Mom!" "Maylee!" "Mom!" "Maylee!" I couldnt wait to finish this.
January 13, 2013
Well, I read this even after I wasn't all that impressed with the first one. Still tons of unnatural cursing. Still don't get it. Some good additions, such as the zoo animals being affected. Not the worst of ever read, no where close to being the best.
January 29, 2016
The story and setting are really good, but the characters are dumber than dirt in my opinion. I didn't finish the series.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews