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Patient Zero
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February Group Read (Zombies): Patient Zero by Jonathan Maberry *Spoilers*
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Just started this one and am finding it really interesting. Good pick---Update = Wow, this book is fantastic...... What a heinous plot. I am about 70% through right now. Lisa, you will really miss an interesting read if you pass on this one. It is so engrossing, I am getting The Dragon Factory first chance I get.
I'm about halfway done and I like Joe Ledger. Even if he works by his own set of rules, he gets the job done.Anyone else find some of the scenes hard to read?
(view spoiler)
Mod
This was actually my second Joe Ledger book, having read Assassin's Code first. I found it very interesting going back to the beginning and seeing that Joe Ledger sprung pretty much fully-formed from the author's imagination. Given how much I liked the latter book, I was pleased to see that the very first entry in the series was so well done. The characters are solid, the plot was tight and well-paced and the action terrific.Knowing the fates of some of the characters in the future just added a sense of foreboding to some of the scenes. I really enjoyed this one.
Mod
I like it. It should be a good read (or listen, as audiobooks go.)
Very true...Joe is a jerk in the beginning. Will see if you feel the same way as you get farther into the story. I think Patient Zero is a darker read then MHI.
I liked this book better than his other one Dead of Night. I like that this story takes on the perspective of the peoples awareness inside the zombie body.
Mod
The supporting cast is a lot richer than I would have suspected from "just another zombie book" and the villains...well I want to punch em... and I'm a live and let live guy.
The best spice-character (what I call that supporting cast member that helps the plot and story gell with potent insight) is Rudy Sanchez (pardon if I spelled things wrong, I'm doing the audiobook.) Rudy had a great sililoquy to tie things together and put a human face on evil as well as that nagging question "Why do we do these things?" which I liked (both the way the question was framed and that it was asked in the first place).
I also like the addition of real Acute Stress Disorder behavior and symtomology which makes the inclusion of Doctor Rudy that much more wonderful and Ledger that much more human.
This may be "just another zombie book" but it's well written, well organized and makes connections at a deeper level than fluff television or some other books we've read. thumbs up so far..(and I'm not halfway through yet.
And come on..."Grace"...she's hot isn't she?
...sorry...sorry...retired DOS here... (Dirty Old Sailor).
...where was I... I haven't gotten a good scene including her yet, but, she's well written and, I'm not too deep into it. She's also capable, strong and on equal footing with Joe and his squad (who I like a lot). Joe's "Team" is cool and, even though we've only gotten some background on one or two of them, they are written well enough that we can grow to love them simply by following their actions, thoughts and words.
Good pick... and I was leary of "just another zombie book" when this one came up. Bravo!
I also like getting in on the ground floor, rather than after the appocolypse.
Tony wrote: "I liked this book better than his other one Dead of Night. I like that this story takes on the perspective of the peoples awareness inside the zombie body."I agree, it added so much to the story. I've only read one other Maberry book, Ghost Road Blues which was good. Of the two, I will go on with the Joe Ledger series.
Good analogy, Hugh. Joe does remind me of Alex Hunter, minus the super powers. Finished and I really like this book! I don't know if Grace is "hot".. she is one cool customer and great under pressure. A warror like the rest of the guys on Ledgers team.
Some of the zombie scenes in the beginning upset me. I also have to agree
with you, Hugh. Bringing in Rudy help deal with all the deaths which was a A Plus in my book. If I had another son, I name him Rudy, lol
(I watch the movie "Rudy" everytime is on).
Constant action and it builds and builds till the end. I did cry at the end. I
never I thought I would, it was a zombie book after all.
This is why I joined groups here on Goodreads. I did have this title on my Kindle (picked it up on sale quite some time ago) but it had slid very far down the list. I'm not sure when I might have gotten around to reading it. What a good and surprising read! Really like Ledger. He's kind of a mix of Elvis Cole and Jack Reacher. I loved the scene in the beginning when he meets Mr Church. That Oreo cookie line was great.
That's also great about reading, you never know what's inside till you start that first page.Glad you liked the book, Ctgt!
Mod
I listened too. Didn't the narrator do a fantastic job. Besides liking the story, I think that's why I gave it 5 stars. Listening to this book really added to the story.
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Finished and I really like this book! I don't know if Grace is "hot".. she is one cool customer and great under pr..."
The Audiobook is great. The Narrator does a great job and makes a great Joe Ledger voice.
To add to the terror... I live in Southern Maryland... that would be very close to Baltimore, D.C. and... the meat packing plant is just down the road from where I live...
I'm thinking about becoming a vegitarian.
Mod
Glad you liked it, Hugh! What did you think of the ending? Did guess the traitor?
The final fight scene kept me on the edge of my seat wondering how Ledger was going to survive. Really good ending.
(view spoiler)
Eileen wrote: "Glad you liked it, Hugh! What did you think of the ending? Did guess the traitor?
The final fight scene kept me on the edge of my seat wondering how Ledger was going to survive. Really good en..."
Per your spoiler (view spoiler)
message 21:
by
The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be
(last edited Feb 14, 2013 08:40AM)
(new)
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rated it 4 stars
Mod
I did guess the traitor, but Mayberry did a good job with the shell game so I was never without doubts. I thought the CIA guy was too obvious.
As scenes go, after the crabbery, the final stand so to speak, I found the Philidelphia incident was less intense in some ways. And...I'm an optimist, but I wondered how he was going to do it. I also wondered what Rudy was going to do with that flagpole.
I like the way Mayberry included trauma as part of the mix. That really helped bring Grace into the folds and make her human. It also helped Mayberry outline the difference between being human and alive and undead and something else.
I think this is more the "Monster Control Bureau" (from MHI) meets Jim Knighthorse (J.R. Rain) with some Harry Dresden thrown in. The crabbery reminded me of the Fight with the werewolf in the police station in Fool Moon. Really intense and at the end of the first half of the book.
And yes, (view spoiler)
I saw some reviews that thought this was boring. I think it's an important advertising point (for those of us who liked it..endorsing point?...) to say that this is more like a Police Procedural where they are working the Terrorist angle more than it's an action adventure like James Rollins or MHI.
Sure there is intense action, but this is Ed Mcbain and Elvis Cole plus Zombies and a huge super-secret organization run by Church (who was almost as cool as Rudy when it comes to supporting cast).
MHI is more like a bungy jump, this was more like a roller coaster with the big hill in the middle.
What endeared it to me was the inclusion of how trauma was effecting the DMS staff, and they still got the job done.
And Joe Ledger's pretty cool too.
Mod
I, Curmudgeon wrote: "Oh... brother Ctgt... really (LOL, thats corny but good.)I did guess the traitor, but Mayberry did a good job with the shell game so I was never without doubts. I thought the CIA guy was too obv..."
I knew you would like that, Hugh!!!!
I think my future in stand-up looks very bright!
I kept switching back and forth on the identity of the traitor.
It doesn't fit neatly into any category, does it.
Ctgt wrote: "Eileen wrote: "Glad you liked it, Hugh! What did you think of the ending? Did guess the traitor?
The final fight scene kept me on the edge of my seat wondering how Ledger was going to survive...."
Wish I thought of that, lol!
Just finished Patent Zero. I agree with some others: not a zombie novel but an A/A novel with bad (smelling) guys.
Pros: good dialogue (world class smartass) and character development (for some characters). Good action sequences.
Cons: annoying lapses in equipment descriptions and military terminology. And that BMW, fore and aft machineguns in the foglamps?
Overall, good enough to make me want to read another Maberry book.
Mod
I agree with some others: not a zombie novel but an A/A novel with bad (smelling) guys.
Pros: good dialogue (world class smartass) and character development (for some ..."
Hey, Church knows a guy in the business...
One of my favorite sites has some very good articles on the subject.5 Scientific Reasons a Zombie Apocalypse Could Actually Happen:
http://www.cracked.com/article_15643_...
Of course, they counter with 7 Scientific Reasons a Zombie Outbreak Would Fail (Quickly):
http://www.cracked.com/article_18683_...
For more info:
http://www.cracked.com/zombies/
I felt like a zombie yesterday...not enough sleep the night before.
Jim wrote: "One of my favorite sites has some very good articles on the subject.5 Scientific Reasons a Zombie Apocalypse Could Actually Happen:
http://www.cracked.com/article_15643_......"
Great links. "the creeping buzzkill of logic" is a new buzzphrase (pardon the pun) for my collection.
And thanks for directing me to the Cracked website. I assume that this is the online descendant of the old Cracked magazine of the 70's/80's. I wonder if Alfred E Neumann also has an online presence?
I think it is a decendent, but it's been a while since I read Cracked's history. It's on there somewhere. Warning: It's easy to lose hours there. "I'll read just one more." Sure...;-)
Mod
message 32:
by
Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie
(last edited Feb 18, 2013 08:47PM)
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rated it 5 stars
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Mod
Well, it’s a good book, it has Zombies in it, but it might be premature to call it a “Zombie Novel.” It was more action adventure with a risk of zombie apocalypse…and…it was a GOOD one.
2. Action scenes. How did they work for you? What kicks the action up a notch for you?
The action scenes were good. At times I think we got too much into the “blow by blow” but, I’m not sure I’d cut that part because this is a case where one bite and it’s the end of the world or a bullet to the head (or both).
I really found the cranberry fight to be very intense. It reminded me of the TNT movie Gettysburg and the stand on Little Round Top. That kind of old world pitched battle where the defenders stand in ranks firing into the rushing tide hoping they are not swept away by them. It kind of reminds me of Carl Sanburg. You know…
“Pile the bodies high at Auterlitz and Waterloo….Pile the bodies high at Ypres and Verdon…I’m the Grass, I cover all….Let me work.” Or something like that.
It really reminded me of those Revolutionary War battles or Civil War battles where it’s stand, fire, reload while the next rank fires and the bodies pile up on the ground at your feet. It’s so important to get the “High Ground.”
3. Characters? Who did you like the most, the least? Who was least fleshed out (no pun intended), and who the most?
Wow, I liked the supporting cast, and of course Joe was a great anti-hero/smart ass. I think it’s a tossup between Rudy and Church for most liked. We didn’t get much info on Church, but, I took that to more an artistic choice to keep him a mystery, than a “lack of fleshing out.” I would have liked to know how much like Church, Ledger actually is, because it seems like they have similar roots. I would have said “Grace” but about half way, we got all of the info on Grace to know what we needed to know about her.
I think we could have known more about Ollie, but probably Bunny Rabbit (love the name) was the one we got only a little sketchy info on. I think Top got unfolded gradually and I might have liked maybe an intro story on him at some point (flash back?) though I’m not sure where I’d put it.
So that leaves Toys as the guy who had the biggest role and we had the least information on. We also have a lot of open questions about him.
4. The science. Was it plausible? Did Maberry do a good job of explaining things without slowing the story down?
I don’t think the science slowed things down. I think we barely got enough of it. We got what was important and Maberry was inventive using Rudy to track down some of the info on “Prions” so we weren’t wallowing around lost in the dark when Hu started explaining things.
Plausible… dahhh… works for me? I’ll buy it. Of course, I’m not much of a Neuro-pharmacology expert. In other words, I’m ignorant enough to buy it, like it and enjoy it.
5. Pacing? Too good, not good, perfect?
That depends on what kind of story you consider this. To me this matched up better with books like “The Sentry” (Robert Crais) and “The Pawn” (Steven James), more so The Pawn. This was about trying to catch terrorists before they end the world. Maybe another good comparison is “Hades Factor” by Gale Lynds and Robert Ludlum (mostly Lynds). So, as a Zombie Book, it probably seemed a bit slow and deep on mystery. For an action adventure (Rollins Style) it’s closer in pace but didn’t built to the huge over the top action sequence conclusion like those do (I thought the Craberrie was more tense than the final scenes). And, even though this was not a book of magic and the occult, it was a lot like the Dresden Files in pace. The high pitch in the middle to last third of the book, the end more intense in meaning and answering mysteries, less intense in action.
So, as it appealed to me, it was in the Steven James's "The Pawn" mode most of the time and, the pace was good for that. I won't say "Perfect" but, it's certainly not an issue I'd raise. It was "good."
6. The Department of Military Science. What do you think?
The Monster Control Bureau without Monsters that matched up better with the Shequay from “The Rook” than anything. Church reminded me of “Archangel” from the old “Air Wolf” series. It was very much like “Fringe” the TV Show, which used the FBI and created a pocket division to suit the story needs. “Seen one Top Secret-Super-Secret Police/Spy organization, seen ‘em all”
I happen to like the institution in Action Adventure/Espionage and other type things. They were a heck of a lot easier to like than Larry Correa’s “Monster Control Bureau.”
7. Favorite moments.
Ledger meets his team.
8. Overall rating: out of 1-10 or 1-5 stars?
4 to 4.5 stars out of 5. For me it seemed that Mayberry went out of his way to show the courageous side of humanity as it is, imperfect, scarred and very capable of evil and good. I really liked the PTSD (ish) elements. There were some technical issues but, overall, he got the most important parts about what Trauma does to people right. Alpha Team’s survivors performance going down, not up things like that. Rudy’s inclusion made things work a lot better. It seemed that the difference between what made the good guys “Good” guys and the bad guys “Bad” guys had more to do with a shred of compassion for each other. .. a very small shred. In a genre that might as well have not bothered with this particular side of humanity and still be popular, that’s worth some credit from me.
I get tired of heroes slaughtering mountains of men, witnessing unspeakable horrors and not coming away with anything more staining and debilitating than muddy shoes and somebody else’s problems.
9. Books you'd recommend like this one?
Oh, yeah, I recommend it!
10. Will you continue the series?
Absolutely, in my own methodical way I’m sure to read them as long as they keep the things I like about them going so, count me in on the next book. (I’m not particularly fast at reading series anymore, only one has captured my attention long enough to push through book by book, in a long time, and that may have been a combination of things unusually coming together at the right time for me.)
Geeez, looks like I'll have to break down and buy this one.It seems like everyone enjoyed it.
Mod
I didn't find it boring at all. I couldn't put it down, honestly.
I am a science nerd, especially when it comes to bio-science and infectious disease, and I think Maberry hit the mark with this aspects. I liked the idea of the DMS, but then I like the idea of a group that investigates scientific threats, ala Fringe.
I agree with you about the PTSD and emotional stresses of being a special ops soldier. I can't and don't believe that killing people for a living will be something that does not leave scars on the ordinary human being.
I do disagree with others that say this is not a zombie novel. Well, sort of. I would consider it A/A with zombies. If the difference is 'Did the zombies win and take over the world"?, then in that sense, it's not. But I think it had plenty of zombie actions. I freely admit that even though I love most supernatural fiction, I am not a fan of the zombie theme. But Maberry still won me over with this book. I'd read more of his zombie books.
I definitely want to continue this series.
Mod
1. Did you feel that this was a good zombie novel?
--Good enough for me.
2. Action scenes. How did they work for you? What kicks the action up a notch for you?
--Loved the action scenes. I am an action junkie, and I felt like I got my adrenaline rush off this book, big time. I loved that Joe would take on zombies bare-handed and win. Crazy, and it definitely kicked up the action a notch.
3. Characters? Who did you like the most, the least? Who was least fleshed out (no pun intended), and who the most?
--I didn't like the fanatical crazy bad buys. I didn't understand their motivations. I couldn't. I especially didn't understand Amirah. Her reaction at the end made no sense whatsoever. I found Toys kind of interesting. I can see him popping up again in the future. Joe is the most fleshed out. The least is the other guys in his team. I would like to learn/see more about them. I agree with Hugh that not knowing a lot about Church adds to his mystique.
I liked Joe the most, and Rudy, Grace and Church, and Bunny and Top. I felt bad about Ollie. :(
4. The science. Was it plausible? Did Maberry do a good job of explaining things without slowing the story down?
--The science was very plausible. Well done in how Maberry explained things without bringing the story to a screeching halt.
5. Pacing? Too good, not good, perfect?
--I thought the pacing was good. I felt the end sort of fell apart, plotting-wise, but otherwise, solid writing.
6. The Department of Military Science. What do you think?
--Can I join??? Please! I loved it! Want more of them. Church makes a great boss. Scary but highly competent.
7. Favorite moments.
--I liked meeting all the new team members. It was funny how Joe decided the pecking order. The moments where they confronted the zombies were highly stressful but wonderfully suspenseful.
8. Overall rating: out of 1-10 or 1-5 stars?
8/10. The end was a little weak for me, and the bad guys' motivations didn't quite ring true. I gave it 4.25 stars.
9. Books you'd recommend like this one?
Not sure.
10. Will you continue the series?
Oh yeah!
Discussion Questions (For the Brave)1. Did you feel that this was a good zombie novel?
I thought this was a good novel with some zombie's in it.
2. Action scenes. How did they work for you? What kicks the action up a notch for you?
I thought the action scenes were great and one of the things that really hooked me on this book and this author. The action was well-described so you felt like you were present and that kicked it up a notch. There was a sense of real danger and uncertainty if everyone would survive.
3. Characters? Who did you like the most, the least? Who was least fleshed out (no pun intended), and who the most?
Joe Ledger was my favorite, which is kind of a good thing being the main character to carry a series. Mr. Church is also an interesting character, as is Toys, who has a lot of mystery and hinted at depth to him. Joe I think is the most fleshed out, and Mr. Church probably the least.
4. The science. Was it plausible? Did Maberry do a good job of explaining things without slowing the story down?
I thought the science was more than plausible. It was more than just taking a stab at an explanation with some jargon and then move on to the action. It made me think for a minute that maybe it just could be possible.
5. Pacing? Too good, not good, perfect?
I thought the pacing was just about right. Plenty of character and plot development and then jump right back into the action. Enough time to catch your breath but more than enough action pieces to satisfy.
6. The Department of Military Science. What do you think?
Love the DMS. Again, plausible enough to believe in and shadowy enough to not know it's limitations.
7. Favorite moments.
Joe taking charge of the team. Hands down my favorite moment.
8. Overall rating: out of 1-10 or 1-5 stars?
4.5 out of 5 stars. Great introduction to the series and the main character. Really, really solid effort.
9. Books you'd recommend like this one?
Can't really think of anything quite on the nose. Joe's a great damaged hero and Maberry walks a somewhat unique line between action thriller and horror/monster.
10. Will you continue the series?
Already have.
Assassin's Code was actually my first Ledger novel. Now I need to squeeze in the second and third books at some point as well as the 5th book which is coming out shortly.
Mod
Mod
I thought this was a good novel with some zombie's in it..."
Exactly. I completely agree and it was a "Good" novel too.!
Action/Adventure Aficionados
Books mentioned in this topic
Assassin's Code (other topics)Ghost Road Blues (other topics)
Assassin's Code (other topics)
Discussion Questions (For the Brave)
1. Did you feel that this was a good zombie novel?
2. Action scenes. How did they work for you? What kicks the action up a notch for you?
3. Characters? Who did you like the most, the least? Who was least fleshed out (no pun intended), and who the most?
4. The science. Was it plausible? Did Maberry do a good job of explaining things without slowing the story down?
5. Pacing? Too good, not good, perfect?
6. The Department of Military Science. What do you think?
7. Favorite moments.
8. Overall rating: out of 1-10 or 1-5 stars?
9. Books you'd recommend like this one?
10. Will you continue the series?