Dark Recollections

Adrian's Undead Diary, Volume 1

De: Chris Philbrook

Narrado por: James Foster

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

Very fun series!!

What made the experience of listening to Dark Recollections the most enjoyable?

I found the story "In General" very pleasent with some of the mix humor, gore,and actions of the people in the story. I found myself invested in the characters and had a good feel of the real emotional reactions to the events in their lives.
The main character ( Adrian ) is a typical dude of guys and having exmilitary,ex club bouncer , and a big size intimitdating guy with fighting skills. With all that I described the most important thing about ( Adrian ) is that he turns out to be a down to earth nice guy ,as you learn to know him over the time you listen about his thoughts as he goes day to day in his journal entries. The books only faults is that it goes side track with other non important characters lives and gives a account of how they dealt with the moment the SHTF as the zombies arrose. This made me want to skip forward on the story track to my main guy (Adrian) journal accounts as I knew this is the meat and potatoes of the story.
You will not be dissapointed to drop a credit on this one as this Zombie storyline is fun and has a good flow with the narrator.

Surprisingly excellent

I’ll admit, I was a bit skeptical prior to listening. I am surprised to say that this is in my top 5 in the zombie apocalypse genre.

That main character...

Would you consider the audio edition of Dark Recollections to be better than the print version?

No idea, only bought the audio version.

What did you like best about this story?

This book sets up a cool situation. I enjoy a good retelling of the fall of society by a zombie horde.

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

Nope. But I have listened to other readers and James is one of the most enjoyable I have listened to.

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

No strong reaction.

Any additional comments?

It's a long series, eight books! Also you should know that the main story is one that involves divinity and the battle between "good" and "evil". This series is not strictly about zombies and the apocalypse.

Solid writing, interesting premise, OK overall

I listened to the whole audio book; liked the premise and the writing style was solid in the contemporary casual adult language. I thought the story is just OK, slow in actions comparing to most of the post apocalyptic books I have read. Many reviewers seem to like the series, so I am going to try Book2 in near future.

Great narration performed by James Foster, perfect for the tone of the book.

Get Hooked

Where does Dark Recollections rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is tied for being #1 Great Story Great Reader!

What did you like best about this story?

The story takes place in a small town and outlines what you should do if the Zombies ever do come.

Which scene was your favorite?

There is so many good times in this book that I can't just say one.

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

This book made be cry, laugh out loud, and got me angry.

Surprisingly Awesome

I wasn't sure I would like this. I like zombie books. I've read Tufo and a few other less memorable ones. But I am not usually a diary fan. I was hesitant because this book is entirely in diary format. But what a surprise! I love it. I am hooked. Actually, I listened to the sample and I was hooked. This has it all - tactical, procedural, humor and some feels. The world building is fun. We learn about the zombies from Adrian first hand as he is learning about them. He is the only person talking and I never got tired of listening. That right there tells you something. I am going to read the next one for sure!

The narrator was very good. He gave Adrian real personality.

NOW IM HOOKED

Chris Philbrook is an amazing author. Book one in this series is fantastic. very well written. A lot of action suspense etc. I invite you to follow Adrian through book number one as his tale begins. I'm moving on to book number two immediately. I have a feeling once I finish this series... I will read it again.

Third time through!

This whole series is one of my favorite fall back books. Almost wish I could read it for the first time again.

Great

Great story, Great author. It is absolutely worth the purchase and read. It has adventure, humor, drama, all that you want in a book. You wont be disappointed.

A man who is more mystery than anything else

The audiobook intro, you know the part that says “…presents Adrian’s Undead…” made me fear that I was in for a home made tinny hollow sounding narration. Thank God that changed as soon as the real book started.

Dark Recollections is the diary of an everyman named Adrian. A man who is more mystery than anything else and more is revealed throughout the story little by little adding to his interesting character. Told in the journal style that I expected and was happy to hear that it worked very well. This is something, in my mind, that would be difficult to pull off. The author has to remember that it isn’t straight action and what not as many people would leave certain thing like that out of their diary and Philbrook remembered that.

Adrian is alone through most of the story, except for his pal Mr. Journal. Reconstructing the tasks and events that take place for him to build a secure hideout. The day to day work of clearing infected and gathering supplies.

There were a few side stories that veered away from Adrian’s point of view and they were welcomed by me. They added more depth the outbreak epidemic.

While it was slow paced, there are so many different direction the story could go. I want to listen to more and more of Adrian’s adventures and cannot wait for book 2 to come my way.

I wasn’t sure, right away, if I was going to like James Foster’s performance or not. Mostly because of the opening few words that I mentioned above. But the more I listen the more I was mesmerized.

Foster sounds like a regular guy, not a news caster or movie preview guy, not polished. Just real and raw storytelling. Good characterizations, great ability to emphasize humor and terror. I will be looking for more from him.

Audiobook provided for review by the narrator.

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