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4.6 out of 5 stars
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shawn chesser zombie apocalypse surviving the zombie stza series back story story line must read another great highly recommend looking forward great story stand alone omega virus early days duncan winters well done well written forward to the next getting better back to the beginning
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Jessica Templet
5.0 out of 5 stars I loved every sentence of it.
Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2016
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I already loved Duncan, from his first appearance in Trudge and thereafter. So my review is admittedly biased.

I want to start with Charlie. Charlie is an awesome character. He cares deeply for his friend (Duncan) and it shows. Chesser throws in a healthy dose of humor into his character which makes him even more likable. Charlie's moral strength cannot be overstated.

Now on to Duncan. His character is so well written, which I already expected from the previous books in the series but you never really know, so it was nice that my expectations were exceeded. Duncan is very relatable, with flaws, demons, empathy, an unbending sense of right and duty, and some really awesome, and occasionally off color, humor.

I really enjoyed reading his backstory and the events that he endured prior to his introduction in Trudge. I will be completely heartbroken - probably even cry - if or when Duncan dies or is killed.

I do admit that I am very curious as to what becomes of Nate (Charlie's cab driver) and kind of hope we see him again.

This book was well worth the purchase and I highly recommend it.

Also, this book can be read prior to Trudge (the first book in the series) without spoilers to the following books. If you aren't already a fan of Chesser or familiar with his work, this book would be a great introduction to his work.
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Heartlady
5.0 out of 5 stars Well done, of course
Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2018
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Months ago (years now actually), Trudge was the first I read in this genre and I was excited, thinking I had found a good alternative to standard science fiction and horror genre’s that I had spent so much time reading. I thought that this was really a good sign, and that surely others were writing more good zombie apocalypse stories like this one...I was wrong! Most disappointing that Shawn Chesser turned out to be so unique and probably the best in this genre. All others paled in comparison! Don’t get me wrong, their are some other writers in this genre who are pretty good but after literally hundreds of books, none measure up! If anyone out there claims to be a fan of zombie apocalypse stories and HASN’T read these, well, they are REALLY missing out! Simply the best, thank you Shawn Chesser for ruining me for all the other writers in this genre, lol, but maybe you are influencing the others and they will improve...I can only hope!
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The Colonel
5.0 out of 5 stars Side Story about Duncan
Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2017
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In my “retirement” after 30 years as a field artilleryman with 13 years overseas including a combat tour in Vietnam followed by 13 years as a high school history teacher, I have become addicted to apocalyptic novels. The first novel in this series, “Trudge,” so totally hooked me on the series that I bought the remainder of the volumes. “Drawl” is a side story that provides background information on one of the major characters in the series but contributes little to the story line.
As a Vietnam veteran, Duncan has always fascinated me, and I welcomed the opportunity to learn more about this complex character. “Drawl” delivers more insights into Duncan before and during the early days of the apocalypse.
I have a few comments:
- In several instances, the word “anarchist” is used by characters who are unlikely to have that word in their vocabulary.
- As in earlier novels, I was troubled by the decision to drop bridges apparently in an effort to contain the spread of the virus. Who would have authorized it?
- The author made the assertion, “China, India, and the Soviet Union had lost seventy-five to a hundred million citizens to famine just since the turn of the last century.” The phrasing is a bit awkward. It would have been better to clearly state that the famines had occurred in the 20th Century.
- The author described artillery pieces slung underneath CH-47s. I was left wondering against whom they would be used.
- Duncan made several errors in judgment concerning leaving his .45 pistol with Charlie and not taking his pump shotgun with him when he leaves the truck.
- The author concludes the book with “To be continued in Trudge: Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse.” Trudge is the first novel is the series. Drawl is the tenth. The author thus places Drawl in its proper chronological context.
Although I enjoyed learning more about Duncan, it is not essential to understanding the series, and I look forward to returning to the main story line in the next volume.
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Cynthia Terrones SSgt/USMC
5.0 out of 5 stars SHAWN CHESSER IS ON FIRE. DEFINITELY A CAN'T MISS STORY.
Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2017
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I loved "Drawl: Duncan's Story" in Shawn Chesser's "Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse Book 10". This is definitely one book and really the whole that I recommend to everyone out there who like to read about Zombies and the people who try to survive through it all. Shawn has taken us on a side trip from his "Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse" to give us "Drawl: Duncan's Story" and what an awesome job he's done. It's great after reading the series to learn something about the characters in this series and what better one to start with than Duncan. Duncan would lay down his life for his family here, but he has a ghost that haunts him constantly, whether awake or asleep, he'said just try to get through each day. I love Shawn Chesser and this awesome series he has going on with the world falling apart. If I could give him more than 5 stars I would as that's what this series, I believe deserves. Kudos to Shawn Chesser, please keep the books coming... If you want to check out this whole series, start with "Trudge", I was hooked with the first page in the first book and I'm not ready to see it end, here's hoping you won't either.
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Top reviews from other countries

amanda Davies
5.0 out of 5 stars and I’m not disappointed. Once I started it was hard for me ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 16, 2017
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Yet again Shawn delivers, and I’m not disappointed.Once I started it was hard for me to stop reading. This story is a great addition to the series it details the happy and sad moments of one man's story from the start to the end of the world from his own eyes.
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Kenny
4.0 out of 5 stars The Prequel to Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 2, 2016
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The missing piece of the jigsaw sees us at the start of the Omega outbreak as society unravels. Duncan has a choice to make.. Crawl back into the bottle or straighten up and get his finger out and head to his brothers little hideaway..

If you're just starting this series, start with this book. Get the full story :)
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Frankko
5.0 out of 5 stars Duncan's Story
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 12, 2020
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Cracking story and brilliant way to find out more about Duncan and his entry into the story,womder how it wouldve panned out if Charlie hadnt died,?
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claire moir
5.0 out of 5 stars Shawn Chesser is one of my favourite authors. This was a brilliant prequel and really ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 4, 2016
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I am an avid lover of post apocalyptic and Zombie fiction and I have followed the whole STZA series from the beginning, Shawn Chesser is one of my favourite authors. This was a brilliant prequel and really gave additional depth to Duncan's character. All I can say is LOVED IT!
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Adrian
5.0 out of 5 stars Another great book in the series
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 23, 2016
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First prequel book of the surviving the zombie apocalypse series and it doesn't dissapoint (George Lucas could learn a thing or two about prequels from this).
Gives the reader a great understanding of one of the best characters in the series. Great to see how the breakdown of society happens after the apocalypse.
If you like the series then this will not disappoint.
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