Dark Recollections

Adrian's Undead Diary, Volume 1

By: Chris Philbrook

Narrated by: James Foster

Length: 7 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

For the first time, the Internet phenomenon is now in print! Beheading a zombie isn't easy in a world where you're more afraid of the living than the dead. Adrian Ring's simple life is thrown into chaos when the world is ripped apart by a plague of undead and legions of desperate survivors. Retreating to Auburn Lake Preparatory Academy, Adrian attempts to rescue friends and family on the way while dancing around his impending insanity over who and what he left behind, and evading maniac survivors. He saves his cat Otis, but shoots his mom. Pretty successful, all things considered.

Dark Recollections is the first part of Adrian's own story of how he survived after "That Day". Told through his eyes as he talks to his laptop, affectionately named 'Mr. Journal", and through short stories that entwine with his tales that bring forth dark visions of a world being eaten alive by an unimaginable evil. Adrian's Undead Diary is an eight-part epic about a solitary, guilt-stricken man who didn't think he deserved to live, but realized very soon that he survived and suffered for a reason. Dark Recollections is the first book in the AUD series. It covers Adrian's journal entries from September 21st 2010, to December 1st, 2010. Intermingled with his personal diary entries, book one also contains the short stories "Phil's Story", "McGreevy's Report", and "Soccer Mom".

©2010 Chris Philbrook (P)2014 Chris Philbrook

Great zombie story

One of my absolute favorite zombie book series. Great characters and great story. This is a legit zompoc series, the “hero” isn’t some super stud who always finds exactly what he needs when he needs them, he has his ups and downs and has to drive on through it to succeed.
I highly recommend this series

get ready

Great book. Took me to this world on my long rides to work. You will love it.

Never liked a journal

90% of the time the book is told by the main character writing his journal. Not my kin of book.

Simply amazing

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If you are a zombie fan at all, then you definitely need to check out Adrian's Undead Diary. Dark Recollections is the first book in the series and James Foster has done a WONDERFUL job at bringing Adrian to life for his listeners.

Who was your favorite character and why?

*AA meeting style:* Hi my name is Jamie and I have a crush on Adrian. Thank you.

What does James Foster bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Hearing Adrian talk about his daily adventures gives the reader the chance to sit back and imagine themselves in his shoes, fighting the undead alongside him, helping to find and secure a place to live after the world falls apart.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book (series) has made me laugh out loud, shed more than a few tears, get so mad I threw something, and so scared that I was afraid to hear what came next. Chris Philbrook has a way of getting into the mind of his readers, drawing them in and weaving through their grey matter until they are completely immersed in the world he has created.

Any additional comments?

I am normally not a big audio book person, I prefer to read the words myself. However, James was able to catch my attention and keep me hooked throughout the story, which is quite a feat. Kudos to him, and to Chris for such a wonderful storyline!!

Hiding from Zombie Apocalypse in an Elite School

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, if my friend was into the Zombie genre. This is a very solid story with good characters and a realistic plot. The narrator gave a convincing performance, and his voice suited the story.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I liked Phil because he was an old, crusty, lovable guy, and he had an endearing relationship with his wife.

Which character – as performed by James Foster – was your favorite?

Well, this question is the same as the last question, so I will pick another character. I also liked Adrian, the main character. He is resourceful, brave, likes kids and has a sweet tooth.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This is an entertaining story, but it is also a zombie apocalypse story. It is not really appropriate for it to cause an extreme reaction. It is not high brow, artsy fartsy literature.

Any additional comments?

It is a great story. The book contains adult language. I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

Better than the usual zombie story

Any additional comments?

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com.The audio narrator acts the story well. The voice is perfectly compatible with the character.This book is really good and deserves a better book cover. The cover did a lot of damage to it and it gives a total different impression. It did the book much injustice.I like the journal formatThere is an overuse of the sh** word. Sometimes it is just the character way of saying things, other times, it's laziness to look for a proper word or a way to describe how he feelsNot the usual zombie story for sure. It focuses on the human side more than the thrill and horror. I loved the focus angle of the plot. I liked the way it shows the gray area between humans and zombies.One thing though in the structure of the novel. It was confusing the switch between the diaries and the third person narrations. Although these were good, but maybe it would have better to dedicate an independent book for them, to tell the story from a third person perspective and fill the gaps in the diaries. It might have been a good idea to change the audio narrator when the narrator changes in the story.Impressive plotting and tight story line. Great attention to details and credibility of the events.

excellent read

loved the story. It had the right amount of comedy and drama. my only problem is the are magazines not clips.

I LOVE THIS BOOK!

Okay, so this story has turned me into a zombie convert. I've always been on the fence about zombies until now. And I'm glad circumstances had it where I had somehow overlooked this book. I had three books with very similar covers and had thought I'd already listened to it. Now I know if I had, I'd never forget it. There is no downside to this but if there has to be one, it's that I'm now hooked and want to listen to the rest in the series. Nothing regarding zombies has ever felt real or believable until I listened to "Adrian's Undead Diary." It's like no other. I LOVE THIS BOOK!

The way in which this story is told is entirely believable. It's mostly told through journal entries and he's even titled it Mr. Journal. And he has a cat named Otis. I'm already looking into book two. His journal is written similar to a ship's logbook containing information about his routine, significant incidents, and day-to-day activities which makes it fully attention holding. This gives it that added extra that makes it more than just about zombies. It's also about him. And he's a pretty interesting and intense guy. He's also very likeable and someone you'd want to be stranded with if there was a zombacalypse.

That being said, this story is the bomb. If someone is reading this and hasn't listened to the book yet, I would highly recommend you do so immediately. You'll love it. I couldn't turn it off. Excellent audiobook.

James Foster is an amazing narrator. I love his style. He sounds like he's reading from his own journal. It was like he was sitting next to me telling the story. I'm so glad to see that he's reading the whole series. That makes me look forward to it even more. He's a natural adding a realistic touch that makes the story a remarkable listen.

AUDIOBOOK GIFTED IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW..

this is a hugely entertaining book

loved it and it left me.wanting much much more. it's a new twist on an old favorite. it's a mature read with adult language throughout

Perfect match of a Narrator and Author

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes I would recommend it to my many undead friends, so that they can have a blueprint for what to do when you run into a guy like Adrian! I mean,come on the undead or as I like to call them the "living challenged" just don't stand a chance against this big, take no prisoners, I love a kitty cat kind of dude. So my dead friends...please by all means read this and don't say I didn't warn you :)

What was one of the most memorable moments of Dark Recollections?

When Otis was still in the car, in his space, chilling out until Adrian found a safer spot for him in the trunk space, after all that is what true hommies do for each other.

Which scene was your favorite?

The clearing of the market from the idiots who held up there, the death of his car, and then being hung up on piles of dead bodies...no traction.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, I have mine time spaced out evenly about 30 mintes twice a day and it ends perfect, just enough to make me want more.

Any additional comments?

In the world of wadding through a lot of zombie books, I can truly say that next to the MOuntain Man series, this is an instant classic and pushes me to read even more.