Plague of the Dead

The Morningstar Strain, Book 1

By: Z. A. Recht

Narrated by: Oliver Wyman

Length: 10 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

The end begins with a viral outbreak unlike anything mankind has ever encountered before. The infected are subject to delirium, fever, a dramatic increase in violent behavior, and a one-hundred percent mortality rate. Death. But it doesn't end there. The victims return from death to walk the earth.

When a massive military operation fails to contain the plague of the living dead it escalates into a global pandemic. In one fell swoop, the necessities of life become much more basic. Gone are petty everyday concerns. Gone are the amenities of civilized life. Yet a single law of nature remains: Live, or die. Kill, or be killed. On one side of the world, a battle-hardened General surveys the remnants of his command: a young medic, a veteran photographer, a brash Private, and dozens of refugees, all are his responsibility-all thousands of miles from home. Back in the United States, an Army Colonel discovers the darker side of Morningstar virus and begins to collaborate with a well-known journalist to leak the information to the public...The Morningstar Saga has begun.

©2006 Z.A. Recht (P)2009 Audible, Inc.

Fantastic Zombie Story!

What did you love best about Plague of the Dead?

I liked the combination of infected humans and the undead. Sort of a cross between "28 Days Later" and the "Dead" movies. It made for a great flow in the storyline.

What did you like best about this story?

The human aspect and the fight for survival, how they coped, is what I liked best about this story.

Which character – as performed by Oliver Wyman – was your favorite?

Hard one.....I'd say between Sherman, Stiles and Trevor.

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

Yes

Any additional comments?

Books 2 & 3 are just as great!

Expecting More, But Not Terrible

Perhaps I've been spoiled by Jonathan Maberry's Joe Ledger series, and a few other solid authors writing about this subject, but I found Plague of the Dead a painful book at times.

The book read like a Hollywood B movie, with a predictable story and character actions. The writing style was "young" and I flinched every time a cliche presented itself (and there were many). I found it difficult to be swept into the story given the blatant unrealistic aspects (i.e. copying tonnes of data to a CD taking the merest of moments).

The saving grace were a few of the characters (certainly not the idiot General Sherman, whom I am given pause to wonder how he managed to obtain that rank in the military).

I was hopeful when the book began, but the story devolved quickly, tainted by predictable situations and unrealistic actions.

I'm sorry to say that although I am curious about what happens in the rest of the books, I can't justify spending money or time on the other books.

If, on the other hand, you enjoy B movie style cliche-riddled books, this one's for you.

PS: I'm not trying to be an asshat here, but I found this book difficult to be positive about.

Solid Zombies...

OK, I have to admit I rad a lot of zombie stuff, anyway,and this was overall a ver respectable effort. I don't know why exactly this gets such soaring reviews, but I did enjoy it. I liked it enough to get the second one which was not very zombie-filled, but I digress. Not gore laden, which I'm fine with, pretty decent characters (I don't ask too much from zombie books in this department, but still need something), nice mix of manly men, and yet, some pretty tough babes-who don;t even have to be someone's love interest. Nice plot line, overall I do think it is worth the read, indeed.

More...More

Great read! I listened to the seond immediately after the first. Waiting on the third! Enjoy!

WOW

Absolutely loved this book and the narration was superb.

5 STARS

I read the reviews before i bought this book and i wasnt expecting much from this book other then to listen to something other then music, But i found that the bad reviews i read were not right at all..Yes there was some silly bits but i mean without the funny bits whats the point of just listening to a book that doesnt make you laugh at times?? the book was well written and well read :) all of the characters added there own spice through out the book :) 5 STARS!!!

Good story.

Hey I love zombie books, movies, etc... and I'm pretty picky. This one held my attention and was a good listen. I can't wait for the sequel.

Awesome Series

This is such a great book and start to a great series. Have listened and read this series several times. AUDIBLE 20 REVIEW SWEEPSTAKES ENTRY

Predictable from start to finish

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Probably not. This story does not offer anything significantly different or more exciting than the boatload of other zombie fiction out there.

What was most disappointing about Z. A. Recht’s story?

Story was predictable, not engaging, I never really started to care what happened to the characters. Not that being predictable is a complete deal-breaker... I've seen plenty of movies where I knew exactly what was about to happen, but still enjoyed the experience. That was not the case here. There was nothing particularly exciting or suspenseful to really engage me in the story.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No

Not just one but two types of Zombies, Live=Run

ZA really tells the story of how a Plague could overtake the planet. His Two types of zombies are original, you'll love it as they add a twisted detention to the story.