The First Days

As the World Dies, Book 1

By: Rhiannon Frater

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

Length: 11 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

Rhiannon Frater's As the World Dies trilogy is an Internet sensation. The first two books, The First Days and Fighting to Survive, have won the Dead Letter Award for Best Novel from Mail Order Zombie. The First Days was named one of the Best Zombie Books of the Decade by the Harrisburg Book Examiner. And AmericanHorrorBlog calls Rhiannon Frater "a writer to watch".

The morning that the world ends, Katie is getting ready for court and housewife Jenni is taking care of her family. Less than two hours later, they are fleeing for their lives from a zombie horde. Thrown together by circumstance, Jenni and Katie become a powerful zombie-killing partnership, mowing down zombies as they rescue Jenni's stepson, Jason, from an infected campground. They find sanctuary in a tiny, roughly fortified Texas town. There Jenni and Katie find they are both attracted to Travis, leader of the survivors; and the refugees must slaughter people they know, who have returned in zombie form.

Fast-paced and exciting, filled with characters who grab your heart, The First Days: As the World Dies is the beginning of a frightening trilogy.

©2008, 2011 Rhiannon Frater (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"One of the few zombie novels fueled by the power of feminine protagonists in an apocalyptic world gone wrong." ( Harrisburg Book Examiner)

I fell in love with the end of the world!

Where does The First Days rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The best series of books that I have gotten from Audible so far! I find myself listening to the story over and over again!

What was one of the most memorable moments of The First Days?

There are so many memorable moments in this series! I found myself on the edge of my seat over and over again! My favorite moment in this book comes with the intro of Nerit- the aging female Israeli sniper. I so want to have her cool factor!

Which character – as performed by Cassandra Campbell – was your favorite?

Cassandra’s characterizations are all top notch! However Katie, Jenny and Nerit are her best

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

This book had me on the edge of my seat and I could not stop listening to it. I would find myself tensing then relaxing again only to hold my breath a moment later!

Any additional comments?

I would suggest reading (As the world dies: Untold stories book 1) before moving on to book 2. Rhiannon is an excellent writer that has rich character development! Her books are about the people in a situation, instead of A situation with people thrown in. I have become an avid fan of hers and this is where it all started!

I liked it.

I enjoyed this series. It isn't a series I listen to over and over but I did enjoy it.
The story was not for hardcore zombie fans in my opinion.
There are better zombie books out there but if you need more to listen to, it's not a waste.
Listen to the preview before purchase to see if the narration suits your listening taste.

The romancing didn't over shadow the story

Yes, its a bit of awkward feeling for a dude to listen to two girls swooning over a guy, but never mind, it was a bit refreshing to see things from a girls perspective and there is still a good story going on which isn't over shadowed. Still plenty of action with guns and gore. Perhaps tone it a tad down for the likely majority male listeners and give them a bone too to chew on too.

The story is about two women surviving the initial outbreak and how they eventually find their way to a survivors compound there they start retaking the city...well, at the end anyways. By far the most powerful part of the book, or perhaps any zombie book I've listened to, is the opening scene which you hear in the audio sample. That was creepy and scary. You start identifying with Jenni right away and relieved that she quickly turns out to be a helluva tough cookie despite what she went through.

I think the narrator did a great job. I don't know much about Israeli accents but it was believable to me.

The writing quality is great, makes me respond emotionally, happy parts and sad parts of the book did what they were supposed to do. Ending was kinda "meh" though.

Going to buy the second installment now.

Surprisingly good!!

I had passed over this book several times after reading some bad reviews. Once I began reading, I could not stop!! This book is for the reader who loves strong female lead characters, an intriguing story, and Zombies!! I cannot wait to read the next book!!!

A new look at zombies.

What did you love best about The First Days?

Cassandra Campbell is a great narrator.

Would you recommend The First Days to your friends? Why or why not?

Yes A new look at the zombie novel.

What about Cassandra Campbell’s performance did you like?

Very nice!!

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

Yes I would.

Any additional comments?

This book was dry in some places, but worth the listen. P.S. I really would like if authors would stop killing people just for the body count in books.

No spoilers

Not your typical zombie apocalypse—yes, has all the elements of a good zombie novel; mayhem, loss & lots of chomping but also has excellent character development. They are unique individuals vs the cookie cutter badass. Looking forward to the next book in line ! Excellent narration—not too sappy or too ‘accenty’. Being from TX I appreciate when it’s not overdone.

Comparisons

This one was much better then Sara Flemming’s City series (in my opinion) better narrator and a lot more zombie action. A little to much of sexual orientation talk, but not nearly as touchie and feelie as the Flemming series. (Tho I did like her 1st series)

Could I say a page turner!!

What did you love best about The First Days?

The story that simple

What did you like best about this story?

That the two ladies are the center stage you dont see that often.

Which scene was your favorite?

At the camp getting jason.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The fall of the gun shop and the death of its owner a little to sad oh and the little fingers!! they dont touch on what happends to little children too often in zombie fiction.

Any additional comments?

Great reader cant wait for the other books

good book

I was surprised at how good the book was. so I'm going to get book 2

waste of time

what started out as a great apocalyptic zombie novel turned into a harlequin romance novel...these women are more concerned about the cute guys than they are surviving and mourning their families