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.

Good book not boring

What did you love best about Plague of the Dead?

No boring sections. It keeps going smoothly.

What other book might you compare Plague of the Dead to and why?

We're Alive and Walking Dead

What about Oliver Wyman’s performance did you like?

Some cha. sound alike except for the main ones. I like the General.

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

They are several feel good for them parts

Zombies from a virology point of view

The Story: Grounded in the science of viral transmission (eerily mirroring current events vis a vis ebola in Africa). Some parts may be a bit hackneyed. Facing potential death or imprisonment a man sets aside his weapon to duke it out with an adversary...meh.
Narration: Oliver Wyman is a champ.

Zombies + Gun Slinging + Cliches Galore

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

The narrator was actually very good, given what he had to work with. This story was "ooookaaay"... it was never particularly awful but it never achieved anything approaching what I would consider an interesting and unpredictable plot-line.

This is Zombie fiction at it's most banal. Not terribly offensive or gory. As a scientist myself, I found some of the explanations and descriptions of the "virus" highly amusing and totally unbelievable. Anyone with a meagre understanding of biology would find a lot of this text hard to swallow.

I have no intention of listening to the trilogy - unfortunately.

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

SO predictable!! There was nothing in this story that was unique, surprising or challenging. Yawn.

Have you listened to any of Oliver Wyman’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I'm not sure I have listened to Oliver Wyman before but he was a good narrator. Great sense of timing and drama. No overly distracting accents or "voices".

Did Plague of the Dead inspire you to do anything?

Die of boredom! No - I'm being too harsh. I tended to listen to this book while engaged in other activities; I found I could keep up even if I missed a sentence or three. This suited me at the time.

Standard zombie. worth it if your a fan.

My biggest gripe us the beginning. The spelling out of the email address's over and over. I am prior military so I think the author is trying to convey military discipline/importance.. after the first 2 or 3 times it is just annoying. hang in their it stops and the story gets exciting.

Don't cough!!

What did you love best about Plague of the Dead?

I love Zombie Apocalypse books and movies and this is a good one. It's not just one big Zombie munchfest, but has character stories that leave you wanting to know more about the people. I think the characters could have been way more developed and that would be the only weak area for me. The title says "Don't Cough". Read the book and you tell me why!

Which scene was your favorite?

I love the part where Stiles is all alone doing recon and he stomps his boot on the floor and realizes the floor sounds hollow in some places in not in others. Then finds the door in the floor. What did he find? Not going to tell ya!! read it.

Any additional comments?

It was pure entertainment and a great way to pass the day while I worked. There was some humor and I would occassionally laugh and my co-workers would look at me like I was nuts, but whatever, at least they leave me alone to listen to all the great books I find here. This book was a little slow starting. It picked up ithe pace as it went along and then it was over and I was wanting more. The reader is extraordinary!! His voices for each character were great and how he kept them all straight like was as entriqueing as the book itself.

Different Take on Zombies

if you ever wondered what if 28 Weeks Later met The Walking Dead, met The Last Ship this is a story for you!

could use a better narrator

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

its an ok read, but save buying it for when there's a sale

Who was your favorite character and why?

non

Would you be willing to try another one of Oliver Wyman’s performances?

not likely

Do you think Plague of the Dead needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

doesnt matter

standard zombie arc

Not the best or worst
right in the middle
I'll listen to the whole series
the narrator took some time for me to enjoy bit I came around after a few chapters

This is the best zombie book

Best zombie apocalypse book ever written the hordes are terrifying the heroes in the series are well written and relatable the narrator does many voices making it very entertaining

Excellent! Spellbinding! A great book!

If you could sum up Plague of the Dead in three words, what would they be?

Thought provoking! Realistic.

What other book might you compare Plague of the Dead to and why?

I haven't really read much in the way of " Zombie" books. But this was even more enjoyable than "Day by Day", by J.L. Bourne.

What about Oliver Wyman’s performance did you like?

It was a captivatiing naration.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Guess whos' coming to dinner?

Any additional comments?

I just bought the second book in the series and am looking forward to listening to it.