Of Starlight and Plague

By: Beth Hersant

Narrated by: Martin Carroll

Length: 13 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

It began, as big events often do, with small things — a little girl, a little dog, and a microscopic virus that leads to a tragedy no one should ever have to face. Having lost his daughter to rabies, Dr. Aaron Pickman tries to derive some meaning from her death. In his search for a cure, he unleashes a virus that will bring the world to its knees. However, just as great tragedies often have small beginnings, great individuals can have humble origins...

Tammany, an injured woman running with a baby in her arms, has one slim, heart-stopping chance to save him.

Fletch, an infected man, tries desperately to protect his oldest friend.

And Louella, an old woman on her Pennsylvanian farm, offers shelter to survivors and becomes the unlikely leader of Camp North Star – one of the last outposts of uninfected humanity.

They are all frail, flawed, ordinary people who rise to meet the challenge of this deadly new threat. Yes, it is a time of plague; but in that darkness, they are the starlight.

©2021 Beth Hersant (P)2021 Beth Hersant

realistic apocalypse

I found the story to be believable and kept me on the edge of my seat.

Apocalypse Tale

This tale begins with a man’s doomed obsession. It develops around two women who are determined to save as many as they can. The characters are likable and we care about what happens to them. The details as they prep for survival can drag a bit. That is my one negative. In the end this story is full of kindness written in an almost British villagers style. The narrator adds to it. I liked the sprinkled in referenced quotes. Good story.

The graphic depictions of animal cruelty put me off.

I understood the need for the storyline, but still a bit much. Narrator is excellent but odd to pick a brit for the american setting. Good story though and well thought out. Just became a standard zombie plot-line, stock farm, establish order, defend against the usual. I just didn’t care enough about the characters to finish

Not your typical zombie book

I really enjoyed the story, and the reader was great. I’ve certainly listen to quite a few books in this genre. This one stood out.

An enjoyable read!

At first, I thought I wouldn't like this book but I really did. An interesting, relatable scenario for a zombie type apocalyptic event. The author provides a nice backstory that works up to the main group.

I cant believe how good.

Beautifully written apocalyptic book. I’m no writer so I can’t explain exactly why this book was so good. I can only say it was well written. Full of characters you learn to really care for. Such a good book. Thank you.

Story is slow to start, narrator's accents are bad

It's slow to start, but gives a realistic depiction of how a zombie apocalypse might begin. When the narrator is speaking in his native accent it works fine. but I have to be honest in saying that his American accent is rocky at best, and borderline mocking at worst. In fact, all of his accents are very bad. It was a poor choice to have him attempt anything other than his own because his natural voice is very easy to listen to.

More about how it all started.

Last few chapters get into the survival of a group. A bit slow, but not bad.