Alone

A Zombie Novel

By: Kate L. Mary

Narrated by: Amber C Morton

Length: 9 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

For the past two years, Jules has floated through life.

When the virus was released it changed everything about the world. Jules lost her mom and her home, forcing her to live with the father she barely knows. Now, even as society works to rebuild, Jules still feels like she doesn’t quite fit in.

Then she meets Roman.

Even before the zombies, he only had himself to depend on. Brooding and rebellious, Roman isn’t anyone Jules would have pictured herself with before the zombies came. But now she finds herself willing to give up everything to be with him.

The attraction is too strong for either one of them to ignore, but Roman and Jules soon discover that the uncertainty of their new world extends much farther than just the zombies. When disaster strikes, Roman must race against the most terrifying clock imaginable to save Jules, or once again end up alone.

©2016 Kate L. Mary (P)2019 Kate L. Mary

Good Zombie Story Here!

Maybe I’ve been reading/listening to too many books one after another by Kate L. Mary, but I’ve picked up that “My scalp prickles” or something similarly worded is a common phrase in her stories.

Anyways, I loved this story…until the end. Per the original ending, I was left wondering “What was she thinking? Why would she have ended it like that?” It made me wonder if the author had been going for a Romeo and Juliet-esque type of story. I don’t know. While it was much different than what one would expect to happen–of course you want the main characters to make it to the end in one piece–it seemed too much. Like what was the moral of the story? Don’t even try? I’m not good when it comes to “reading into” a story, so I have no clue what the moral was with the original ending. I understand some authors like to surprise their readers but it was like all this drama and action was going on, Roman made it back to Jules and BAM! I won’t say what happened but it just made me want to leave a less than perfect review. The fact there wasn’t much said about Jules’ father or their friends after the situation didn’t work for me. Thankfully, there was an alternate ending, which was pretty much what I was expecting to have happened. But I couldn’t help but think of the readers who read the original ending and that was it.

I wasn’t too sure how I felt about the narrator. Her Canadian accent came through loud and clear (tell me that was Canadian? Lol). The word “against” stood out like a red flag to me every time it was said…differently from what’s common in the US. I couldn’t help but chuckle when she pronounced the state “Maryland” as “Mary-land.” While I typically don’t mind a narrator having an accent, there was something off this time, no offense to the narrator. I was thinking it had to do with the fact the story was taking place in the States. I’ve listened to plenty of stories in which the narrator has an accent which doesn’t fit with the setting/characters, that was where she fits for me. It didn’t work too well. Overall, she did okay. She doesn’t have a natural flow to her reading, as in it sounds like she was sitting there just reading, which was what she was doing, but the reader shouldn’t be focused on what the narrator was doing per se. She did do good with the voices though. I’d recommend more practice in the end.

Questions/Comments:

Inconsistency Alerts! 1. At one point, Jules was said to have light brown hair – this was when they skipped school after her arrival. Then after she and Roman go for the bike ride to the beach, it was suddenly blonde. 2. Every time the beginning of the zombie outbreak was mentioned, it was two years. Yet, when Roman goes to the vaccine guy’s house, he ended up saying it had been three years.

I don’t like overly stupid characters whether they repeatedly did or said stupid things or had stupid thoughts or it was just a moment in their lives in which they brain farted and didn’t know what was going on. Jules had a moment like that. It was dumb. It took place when Roman showed up at her balcony and she acted clueless as to why he was starring at her chest area. It was pouring outside and she wore a tank top. Did she look down after noticing his starring? Of course not. I just felt that part was dragged out.

I found it strange that when Roman was taken away for his week-long punishment, Jules hadn’t been worried his father would beat him. There was no mention of the idea of that taking place at all.

Again, I’ve been listening to a lot of books by this author pretty much one after another. A common trait between the female characters, at least some of them I’ve encountered, involved the fact when something major was taking place, the female basically just stood there. They might “cry out” in some way, but it was so minor of an action that they might as well of not said or did anything. In this case, it took place when Jules’ father arrested Roman. She could have said or done more than what she did. But she didn’t.

I came across a big inconsistency (in my opinion). I’m not sure how it was missed… When Carmen and Mac were taking Jules to the clubhouse or wherever Roman was locked up, Jules declared that she hadn’t known Carmen and Roman had known each other that well. Huh? Some time prior, Roman had told Jules that he’d grown up with Carmen. That he’d been best friends with her younger brother. Was that poor communication on Roman and Jules part? Had she not been paying attention to what he told her? How rude!

Prior to the locking Roman up, he was in only his boxers. I couldn’t help but wonder if all of his injuries and old wounds were already healed over? Hence, his father was always beating him, but there was no mention of him having any injuries on his torso. Had the bruises from the last beating healed already? Plus, where had Rick been when Roman was released? I just imagined his father fighting the charges even though he had nothing to do with them.

Another area I came across involved a good example of repetition. Jules had decided she was ready to leave with Roman for good. Jules: “If we don’t leave now we’re gonna get caught in the story.” Jules then wondered what she should write on the letter that she planned to leave for her father. Roman: “A storms coming. If we don’t leave soon, we’ll probably get stuck in it.” Really? That was two lines of repeated dialogue. Again, mistakes like that seem big to me, as in I can never understand how they get missed.

When Roman and Jules head out, how could Roman just leave? He had no thoughts of Mac or saying goodbye? Weren’t they best friends? It wasn’t like they could call each other or write letters to stay in contact. Also, when they ride out of town, how had they been able to leave? Weren’t you supposed to get permission first? Who had let them out?

Did anyone else feel Roman wasted an exorbitant amount of time prior to leaving for Atlanta? They didn’t know how long it would take before Jules changed, yet he was doing so much as though he didn’t want to leave or like he had plenty of time. When Jules was in the tub, she was already delirious and suddenly Roman pops in. Why hadn’t he already left? What had he been doing?

One of the worst sentences I came across: “I shut the door shut.”

Here was a very questionable phrase. So, Roman, had his hands clenched as tightly as one could imagine. He then unclenched them. “A second longer and they would have turned black.” What? Black from what?

I found it strange that there always seemed to be someone around the townhall/clubhouse area. Yet, when Roman came back with the vaccine, it was like a “Teacher’s Workday” and everyone was at home still.

If the town knew Jules was on the verge of becoming a zombie, why was no one standing guard outside her room? Why was her door not locked? Obviously some of the zombies can open doors, hence when they’d been at the abandoned house, the one zombie got in.

I received a free audiobook version of this story in exchange for an honest review.

Wasn’t Terrible

But wasn’t great either. I was expecting more as I’ve enjoyed this author’s other books. I really struggled with the narration, I’m pretty sure this is the main reason I wasn’t able to connect with the story. It was strange.

Alone

A YA Zombie book.I believe it would be well recieved by the YA crowd. I found the angst too angsty. Amber C Morton was an ok narrator.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Let down

I enjoy these series of books so I'm gonna try to move from this one but man the readers voice is hard to listen to and all of her other voices are even worse. I might have to just read the book myself . No rate for story yet.

skipped to chapter 19 still nothing really about the apocalypse just a teenage love story. not finishing book....one constant in the books is people still have pursed lips.

Great Read

Alone was a good read by Kate L. Mary. Jules has been floating through life for the past two years. Jules lost her mom and her home when the virus was released. Because of this, she was forced to live with the father she barely knows. Jules meets Roman and feels like everything changes. Roman always only had himself to depend on, even before the zombies. Roman and Jules feel a strong attraction although they can't explain it. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more by the author.

Teen drama and Zombies!

Narrator did a good job; her male voice could use some work, but overall, she did a good job. I enjoyed listening.

This is teenage angst during the zombie apocalypse. Jules is 17 and has daddy issues. They move to a new zombie stronghold type place; her dad has ties to the government that’s in place, so he has a bit of a powerful position. It’s been about 2 years since the zombies started happening. In the new place, Jules meets 18 year old bad boy with daddy issues Roman. There’s a connection there, but Roman is already having a no strings thing with some other chick. Of course, that chick isn’t loving the no strings part of their arrangement, but Roman is being a moron and not seeing it. Loved how perceptive Jules is, but she’s still young, so she doesn’t really think things through. The romance has its sweet moments, but I do wish Roman knew sooner that he wanted Jules and that there was more time between his relationships. They do have a heartfelt connection though. Overall, I really enjoyed their romance and ended up feeling the depth of emotion between them. Of course, I loved all the zombie action and reading more about what different groups are doing during the apocalypse. There’s a major event that happens towards the middle of the book that added some suspense to the story, but the events after did slow the story down a bit too much for me; the Jules chapters during this time felt too repetitive at times. Also, I hate when people are in a hurry, but take all this time to get anything done; you don’t need to be have long conversations about the same things. You are on a time limit people! Get moving! It may be that I just hated waiting to see what was going to happen. I loved the dual POV’s by the way; I appreciate reading from both character’s perspectives so I understand them more. I’m super glad the author did what she did with the ending because I would’ve been so disappointed with it if the author didn’t work it out the way she did. I do wish there was a bit more content to the ending though. Overall, an entertaining read with some cool ideas.

YA Zompoc

This is a fantastic YA zombie book but still enjoyable by all ages. Kate L. Mary has a way with word and is exceptionally talented at writing poignant scenes. The storyline is gripping, and characters are appealing, and the romance is engaging. The narration by Amber C Morton is great, but not excellent. I was given a free copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Teenage love & struggles in the zompoc world

Alone (A Zombie Novel) by Kate L. Mary and narrated by Amber C. Morton is a fabulous YA zombie story! Recommend if you enjoy teen romance stories mixed with the zompoc.

What’s it about? During the zombie apocalypse, Jules and her father go to an established safe town for her father’s job. While there she meets Roman and his father, Rick, who is the town regulator. The town is set up to protect those within the walls and maintains the facade that all is well, but Jules learns that’s far from the truth. The beginning is heavy on the romance/setting up the story, while the second half is more about zombies/surviving. The views alternate between Roman and Jules and the story moves forward at a quick pace. There are two endings and I appreciate Kate did this as it makes me love the story all the more.

The narrator, Amber C. Morton, did an OK job. I hate to write this but need to note there’s a noticeable breathing noise taken before speaking and it’s distracting. With that being said, the more you listen to the story without interruptions, the more you get use to it. If this wasn’t there, it’d be a five star narration in my opinion. I hope Amber continues narrating as she has a lot of potential.

Parental guidance/trigger warnings: This takes place in the zompoc, so think of things relative to this- death, violence, guns, father is physically abusive to son, absentee father, rape accusation (didn’t happen), sex.

*I was given a free review copy of the audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. Thank you for allowing me to listen and review the book! Loved that the story had two endings.

Romeo and Juliet!

What a wonderful story! I have not been a huge fan of “growing up/relationship” tales, but Kate L. Mary has a talent for getting straight to your heart. The two characters of interest, Roman and Jules, were both sort of loners by the environment they grew up in. Roman, described as a juvenile delinquent with daddy issues and a smart ass. Jules, more of an introvert, few friends and lacking confidence. Both had lost their mothers being raised primarily by their fathers. Roman’s father was abusive, Jules’ father indifferent. When these two lost souls found each other, it spawned a romance fierce enough to die for. Reminded me a little of Romeo and Juliet. This is their story, and it’s a great one! I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

The story isn't bad , shame about the narrator.

The narrators voice was nasal and robotic , her attempts at different character voices was painful to listen to .It really spoilt this book for me . She spoke quite quickly so I slowed the speed down but that simply made it sound even worse. I enjoy this author so I shall finish the story by reading the book .

Teen Angst, Dad Troubles and Zombies

I received this book via a promo code and this is my voluntary review.

This is a side story to the Broken World, Oklahoma Wasteland and Twisted World series.

A zombie virus has pretty much destroyed the world. Jules is a teenager and it's been about 2-3 years since the end of everything. Dragged into a new community where her father has been given a new role as judicial officer. She hasn't gotten used to leaving the teen eye-roll at the gates, I guess being a raging hormonal teen attitude happens regardless of circumstances. Even in Coastal Manor, where the New Atlanta government has sent her family there to whip this place into shape.

A lot of Jules persona is that of a bitchy teen. It's here in this new place, with its strict rules that she meets Roman. A juvenile delinquent with an abusive father. He's involved in a situationship with a girl called Rauze that only works as a distraction from his perspective, so I did dislike Roman with his cavalier attitude towards her... its a zombie apocalypse, for a girl to share her body with someone could be a death sentence, like it was for {Spoiler will not be mentioned} I want justice for Rauze.. she deserved better.
Roman forgets all about Rauze when he meets Jules, they fall for one another, a sweet beautiful connection in an ugly world, its all very shakespearian and tragedy strikes when Jules gets injured and getting to New Atlanta for the vaccine is her only hope.

The story is done in dual POV which was good but I would have liked a male narrator for Roman's perspective... personal taste, Amber C Morton still did an amazing job.

This tale has a very daring ending for a something that demanded 9 hours of your time. I've come to expect that kind of tone for this World (Still haven't forgiven Kate for what happened to Joshua, Amira and Hadley...) but if you do get to the end and find it not to your liking, do listen to the alternative, and choose whichever version you prefer.

Very enjoyable book

Great book. As always Kate Mary brings her characters to life and keeps you captivated the whole way through. Very easy to listen and the narrator did a very good job.

intriguing endings

more love story than zombie for my liking's but a good listen anyways,i like the fact that given she gives us many books and has a busy home life kate l mary interacts with her readers,i wonder how she finds the time,but she is great

Great Alternative Endings!!!

I loved the storyline. it covered some very deep subject matters. Ballsey!!! Great Characters and Great Narration. I loved the alternative endings and epilogue's Great idea!! all in all worth a credit. they may have been younger characters but that didn't mean I couldn't connect with them. I smiled, laughed out loud and cried... 5☆'s.

Great Listen

There is far more romance in the story than zombies, but that was fine by me. It tugs at the heart strings.