Book Review: Joanna Fields: The Culling by Wolfren Davis

If Joanna Fields can survive a post-apocalyptic wasteland, then keeping her two best friends from foolishly getting themselves killed should be easy. It’s not. Between kidnappers, a new type of undead, plans that all go awry, and a goat with a funny name, the trio might just be in over their heads. Are they prepared? No. Would literally anyone else be more qualified? Most definitely. Are they going to survive? Well, that’s the question, isn’t it?

My Review

I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy from Reedsy. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

It’s been 30 years since the apocalypse and friends Joanna, Ari, and Jeremiah are in their late teens so they know no other way of life. They are nomadic survivors traveling with a large group who are now on their way to Heaven-Blessed, a community where they can stay. Before they make it to Heaven-Blessed, Ari is kidnapped and taken to Red Valley where the annual Culling occurs when hundreds of undead are killed. Even though Ari is the badass of the group, Joanna and Jeremiah decide they have to save her.

For the first time, Joanna and Jeremiah are on their own when they leave the caravan. Luckily, they aren’t alone for long and have help or they’d never make it. Unfortunately, they’re discovered and end up in Red Valley as well. As I expected, Ari is not happy to see them because she could take care of herself, but now she has them to worry about.

The three main characters are well-developed, and I enjoyed how Joanna and Jeremiah grew in such a short amount of time. It was survive or die for the two of them and they not only survived but thrived. I also liked that they were far from perfect and even a little weird sometimes. There are quite a few other characters, and a list of characters at the beginning of the book would be helpful.

Although there are a lot of post-apocalyptic books out there, this one has its own little twists. Yes, there are undead, but there are also people who were bitten but didn’t die or turn.

This is a quick read that has a lot of excitement, some humor, and even a touch of romance. I enjoyed Joanna Fields: The Culling, and I’m hoping to read the next book, Joanna Fields: Heaven-Blessed, soon. I have to find out what happens next!

About the Author

Wolfren Davis, graduate of ENMU, was raised in beautiful Colorado amongst the colorful leaves of the abundant aspen trees. Despite all the fresh air and endless skyway, she spent all her time tucked into a dark corner with a good book. Her library teacher was heard saying she was relieved when the girl left for college because, on her last remaining days, she’d read all there was to offer. Now she resides in New Mexico with her beloved French Bulldog who, instead of barking like a normal dog, screeches like a seal suffering from the flu, her two cats whose sole purpose is to not let her sleep, and her amazing domestic partner.

Social Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Wolfren-Davis-106069558415209/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DavisWolfren @DavisWolfren

Audiobook Review: Twisted Mind by Kate L. Mary

Born at the beginning of the zombie apocalypse to the head of the CDC and the leader of the new world, Jackson Star has always known that he would one day rule. Only the Stars’ plans go much deeper than simply keeping humanity alive, and the evil that sleeps inside Jackson is darker than even his father knows. Everyone in the settlement is a puppet, and everyone has a purpose in the Stars’ master plan, starting with Megan James.

But as Jackson and his father creep closer to achieving their goals at the CDC, things slowly begin to unravel. Meg isn’t cooperating the way she should be, and the presence of a new person in her life is threatening to blow their plan apart. Jackson must now decide how to deal with the girl he has spent the last nine years trying to manipulate, as well as the family she has left and the man who has taken up residence in her life. To complicate matters even more, the darkness inside Jackson has gotten increasingly persistent, making it difficult for him to control it at times and leading him to wonder if he shouldn’t just give in to his urges once and for all.

Twisted Mind is a dark and disturbing look into Jackson’s brain, and the inner-workings of the CDC. It will give readers a glimpse of the future, as well as answer questions that have plagued us from the very beginning of the Broken World series.

My Review

I chose to listen to this book after receiving a free audio copy. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

I chose to listen to this novella before listening to the first two novels, and I think I’m glad I did. I was able to understand what was going on even though I haven’t listened to the first book. It also has me anxious to start listening to book no. 1.

Jackson is the main character in Twisted Mind and that’s the perfect title for the novella. The man is twisted and evil. The fact that he and his father run the CDC makes things even worse.

Jackson hates Meg’s family. He’s caused so much pain for Meg although she doesn’t know it, and he plans on becoming even closer to her so that he can manipulate her and ultimately destroy her. But there’s a new man in Meg’s life…will Jackson’s plans have to be changed?

Although families have made it through the zombie apocalypse, they have to deal with Jackson Star and his father and their evil intentions. I can’t wait to read the first two novels in the series and get to know the other characters better. I know plenty about Jackson now! I also have a question or two that I’m sure will be answered in the first book.

About the Author

Kate L. Mary is an award-winning author of Adult, New Adult, and Young Adult fiction, ranging from Post-apocalyptic tales of the undead to Speculative Fiction and Contemporary Romance! Her YA book, When We Were Human, was a 2015 Children’s Moonbeam Book Awards Silver Medal winner for Young Adult Fantasy/Sci-Fi Fiction, and a 2016 Readers’ Favorite Gold Medal winner for Young Adult Science Fiction. Her book, Outliers, was a Top 10 Finalist in the 2018 Author Academy Awards for Sci-Fi/Fantasy Fiction, a Finalist in the 2018 Wishing Shelf Book Awards, and a First Place Winner in the 2018 Kindle Book Awards for Sci-Fi/Fantasy Fiction. Tribe of Daughters was recently named as an Honorable Mention in the 2018 SPR Book Awards.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KateLMaryauthor

Website: https://KateLMary.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kmary0622

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombieauthormom/

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gNqeIT

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kate-l-mary

Book Review: The Contaminants by Devin K. Smyth

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About the Book

Title: The Contaminants (New Dakota Series, Volume 1)

Author: Devin K. Smyth

Publication Date: June 9, 2015

Publisher: Firedrake Books, LLC (2nd Edition)

Pages: 230

Recommended Ages: 12+

Amazon *  Smashwords *  Goodreads

 

Summary

When the American government’s attempt to “purify” Earth causes a worldwide nuclear holocaust, teen friends Jessil and Soraj are among the few to escape the planet. Orbiting in a cruiser designed to help regenerate Earth’s ecosystem, they assist Soraj’s father, who leads the process to salvage a location for the cruiser’s safe return.

But when a mysterious distress signal arrives from Earth, Jessil is desperate to discover who sent it. She and Soraj join the reconnaissance team that descends to the planet, a world very different from the one they knew. In such a strange land, can their search-and-rescue effort succeed? And if it does, will it mean failure for Earth’s recovery?

 

My Review

I received a free ecopy of this book for an honest review.

The Contaminants is a post apocalyptic story that really is horrifying. The US decides to nuke the world after sending a few hundred thousand pre-selected people into space to start a new Earth. They have everythin in place to renew Earth in 4 years after the apocalypse. But the best laid plans…

This book is a little different but I like different. Devin K. Smyth’s writing flows well for the most part, although once in a while I had to go back and re-read something. I also confused who was narrating occasionally. I’m not sure why because I usually like when stories are told from different characters’ points of view.

I found The Contaminants interesting and scary. Could we end up like this Earth: overpopulated and using up all of the resources? It also has s suspenseful, action-filled ending. I’m curious what the next book will bring.

 

About the Author

Devin K. Smyth is the pen name of Kevin Speth, a part-time novelist and full-time marketing copywriter in the field of children’s entertainment. He resides in southern Wisconsin with his girlfriend and their herd of cats.

The Contaminants is Devin K. Smyth’s first novel and is the first in the “New Dakota” series.

FiredrakeBooks   |   Goodreads

Book Review: Time of Death: Asylum by Shana Festa

22711078Title: Time of Death: Asylum

Author: Shana Festa

Genre: Horror: zombies

Publication Date: December 9, 2014

Summary

Surviving the journey is just the beginning.

The last two months have brought nothing but death and destruction for Emma Rossi. She survived the initial zombie outbreak with her husband, Jake, and their dog, Daphne, but the cost was steep: Sanibel has fallen.

In a world where the only constant is change, the group is pushed to their limits before reaching the gates of Asylum, a coastal stronghold in Sarasota, Florida.

Once again, Emma must navigate an apocalyptic wasteland filled with relentless hordes of the undead and other menacing horrors that threaten her survival.

Only thing is certain. No one is safe from what lurks on either side of Asylum’s gates. Asylum may offer more than just safety.

Sanity will be tested; and many won’t live to tell the tale.

My Review

I received a free audiobook for an honest review.

Asylum is the second book in the Time of Death series. I liked the first book, Induction, so I was excited to listen to book #2.

I find it interesting that Shana Festa can take a post apocalyptic world full of zombies and find a way to make it humorous at times. It helps soften the horror and so much violence and death.

This book is full of suspense and, once Emma and her family reach Asylum, there are some mysterious things going on. Emma feels like something is wrong with the place but isn’t quite sure what it is. Just when she gets a clue, the book ends!

The characters and their relationships are interesting and evolving (or devolving). I felt bad for Emma because her marriage is failing. I’m hoping that whatever is going on with her husband, Jake, will be explained, hopefully resolved, in the next book.

I definitely recommend Asylum if you like post apocalyptic zombie stories. I do think it would be best to read the book #1 first, though..