Dead State: Survival Road

Dead State, Book 2

By: Derek Shupert

Narrated by: B.C. Archer

Length: 4 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's Summary

He survived the first wave. But the road ahead swarms with corpses hungry for flesh...

Fifteen-year-old James remains haunted by what he's had to do to stay alive. His one glimmer of hope remains the idea of reuniting with his mother and sister. But with the chasers spilling blood at every turn, he fears making it to the safe zone in Portland could be impossible.

When a fellow survivor arrives with a working vehicle, James persuades him to arm up and take the long journey westward. Hunted by the ravenous undead, they must rely on dubious allies to keep the quest alive. And each step toward safety seems more dangerous and deadly.

Can James survive to find his family on the other side of an infected wasteland?

Survival Road is the second book in a thrilling post-apocalyptic series. If you like three-dimensional characters, relentless zombies, and gritty action, then you'll love Derek Shupert's survivalist tale. Buy Survival Road to tag along on an undead road trip today!

©2019 Derek Shupert (P)2019 Derek Shupert

Sometimes it’s best not to know!

B. C. Archer is the narrator once again. This series just keeps getting better. The characters are on a roller coaster of emotions, sad, hope, devastation, and heart break. James can not catch a break. James and Duke are now being helped by Lucas, Cassie, and Mack. Really can’t wait to listen to the next book.

Dead State: Survival Road

Second book in this series. YA zombie apocalypse series with a young man and his dog trying to meet up with his mother and younger sister. Story line was interesting and kept me entertained til the end. Narrator did a good job. I received this for free for an honest review.

Great Story

I enjoyed listening to this story. The narrator did a great job bringing the characters to life. Following James as he tries to survive in the new apocalyptic world sometimes was heart breaking. Just when he thinks he has found his mother and sister, he finds out they had to leave the family cabin for a government camp. He is despondent for a long time until a ray of hope arrives in an old pickup truck. A new spark of hope, he ventures out to this camp and will face many dangers along the way. I enjoyed listening and would recommend this story.

Great book and Narrative

I’m a huge fan of zombie books! Loved this book and B.C. Archer! Listen to all the books for a fun ride!

Great Story !

Really enjoying the storyline. Plenty of action and James is a likeable main character. B C Archer is still doing a good job of narrating.

Hell of an ending

One hell of an ending to a new beginning i must say, can't wait for the next one!

Love this series!

The story continues from where if left off. Loved the book, overall a great series. Narrator did a great job.
Hoping book 3 will be released soon as well.

What do I know? I’m just a kid, after all.

Dead State: Survival Road (Dead State, Book 2) by Derek Shupert and narrated by B.C. Archer is a great second book to the series. Recommend for those who enjoy YA zompoc stories. 4 ½ stars for story and narration.

The story picks up where the first book left off and fairly quickly picks up the pace. James, his dog Duke, and new friend Lucas are making their way to a safe zone where James’s sister and mom are said to be. Only Lucas has heard it’s not safe anymore, but nevertheless, they are off to find them. Along the way, they meet Cassie and Mack, the former a potential love interest. There is of course some chaser action throughout. How would I sum up the book? It’s a combo of zombie apocalypse 101 and life lessons. And James, chasers are twenty points...

So why only 4 ½ stars? While it’s an improvement from the first book, there’s still some unneeded dialogue (stating the obvious/repeats). It’s a good YA zombie book and you should def check it out. I appreciate it’s not all rainbows and sunshine.

The narrator, B.C. Archer, did a good job. Better voices this time around, but occasionally too monotone. I asked my BIL (who’s a YA and doesn’t like audiobooks) what his thoughts were on the narrator- he said he’s was good, hence why I’m writing this.

Overall I enjoyed the book and look forward to the third. I do recommend. A little note to Derek: Please don’t Old Yeller Duke or we’re gonna throwdown ;)

A couple of quotes from the book:
“I have now come full circle to what this world wants me to be.”
“But hey, what do I know? I’m just a kid, after all.”

Parental guidance/trigger warnings: it’s a zompoc so themes related to that- death, killing of zombies.
language used: s x1, damn x7, piss/ed x5, hell x14, bastard x3

“I was given this book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”

Even better than the first - Loved it!

You know what’s better than a great Audiobook? A sequel that’s even better,! I’m really loving this series. I’ll listen to both again from the beginning. Can’t wait for the 3rd,

James and Duke’s trip continues

This is a shorter tale of James’ quest to find his family. He meets new people goes to new places. The trip is filled with highs and lows, hope and devastation. The character development of James is simply wonderful. We watch him go from a normal teen to boy who does what he needs to survive. His relationship with Duke is what everyone wants with their pet. I am glad for the addition of Lucas and then Cassie. They add a different element. While we don’t know their stories they decide to help James look for his family. This has a nice flow and the characters are easy to love or hate. I did listen to this on audio. B.C. Archer did another wonderful job.

Great second instalment

I am really enjoying this book series. We continue to follow James on his mission to find his mother and sister following the Zombie outbreak.
the narration has improved dramatically from Book 1 and sounds much more like a teenager. looking forward to book 3.

Survival Road

Definitely 5 star worthy. It’s an awesome read with not too much gore but lots of personality and relationships forming. I’m glad this is a aeries as I’m looking forward to the next instalment

Thrilling sequel to Fallout

“I lost my best friend, killed my father after he got infected, and the only other people in this world right now that mean anything to me are possibly in that safe zone. I have been through too much to stop now.” - James

After great personal loss, James finally reached the cabin only to find evidence that the chasers had ransacked his home. Luckily his mother and sister Cindy had left a note alerting him that they had gone to a military safe zone in Portland. Just as James began to despair, a stranger arrived at the cabin with a working vehicle. Despite Lucas warning him that going to a major metropolitan city where the population is exponentially higher is a suicide mission, James convinces Lucas to accompany him to the safe zone in return for supplies and ammunition.

When chasers collide with their vehicle, James, Lucas and Duke find themselves in a town overrun by chasers. As they try to find a working vehicle, James becomes separated from Lucas after the latter saves him from a horde. James is spotted by one of the town residents, Cassie, who offers him refuge. James is relieved when Lucas makes it out alive and after acquiring a vehicle, James, Lucas and Cassie, set off for the safe zone.

They arrive on the outskirts of Portland to a horrifying sight. Will James find his mother and sister before it’s too late?

Survival Road is the second compelling instalment of the Dead State series. The book picks up straight after the events of Fallout, where a haunted James has been living in the cabin for a month. Sitting in the familiarity of the cabin with memories of happier times and without human interaction, however, has put him in a dark place and on the verge of madness. His only hope rests in being reunited with his mother and sister who are in a safe zone in Portland. Lucas arrives at the cabin and initially they have a standoff in which both try to ascertain the others intentions. Little background or information is given on Lucas other than his love of coffee. For some reason, however, Lucas takes it upon himself to take James under his wing. I hope that the author will elaborate more on his background in the next instalment.

Cassie was a welcome addition to the series. She’s smart, resilient and knows how to handle a weapon. Her story is one of tragedy in that she was rescued by Mack after she became trapped in a closet with her infected parents.

All in all, the author has once again delivered a well crafted, suspenseful instalment which kept me on the edge of my seat. The plot moved along fluidly and while certain scenes crackled with tension, others tugged at my heartstrings. The conclusion was devastating to say the least and a definite turning point for James. I can’t wait to see what the author has in store for the third instalment, Executioner.

I received an advanced free audible copy of Survival Road and I am voluntarily reviewing it. B. C Archer did an excellent job in bringing the characters and the story to life with his clear, concise delivery which made it easy to differentiate between characters.

The Excitment Keeps Building

Just when You think things can't get any worse for James and Duke, James faces more impossible situations and tough decisions. The downside to being a teen in the apocalypse is dealing with puberty and crushes while facing the zombie horde. James and Duke continue to meet good friends in bad situations.

Great Second Book

Great book and can't wait until the next one comes out. Narration was great and kept me entertained.

Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse

Survival Road, the second book in the Dead State series picked up where the first book left off. This was a brilliant followup story. James' survival instincts have grown, and Duke remains loyal as ever. The storyline flows smoothly and a bit faster-paced with the introduction of new characters. The zombies, AKA, the Chasers, remain relentless with their pursuit. The zombie scenes are intense and get the heart pumping with excitement.

Derek Shupert's writing is even was better in this book, particularly the dialogue. He both demonstrated the pain of loss and the need for human connection. I really liked the new characters, especially Lucas. B.C. Archer's narration was better in this book. I was delighted with the various voices of the characters.

Considering that the book is geared more to a younger audience, it's a bit tamed but still terrific. Personally, I enjoyed this audiobook, and I look forward to the third.

*I was given this book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Excellent sequel

I have listened to book his series and I really enjoyed this one much more. The narration really improved in terms of the conversations between characters~just seemed more fluid. The narrator really captures the emotions of the main character.

The storyline has bucket loads of “nail biting” moments and the ending has a great cliff hanger so I definitely will be listening to the next book.

Some good ideas

An enjoyable listen, I hadn't realised that this was book 2 in the series when I listened, but actually there is enough information about previous events that I didn't feel I couldn't get into the story.
As a YA zompoc it delivers a good story line with some interesting characters.

Great narration.

Read the books but enjoyed listening to it again. Just as exciting the second time.