Midnight

Adrian's Undead Diary, Book 3

By: Chris Philbrook

Narrated by: James Foster

Length: 13 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

The third volume of the number one rated horror series is here at long last.

Tap tap tap went the zombie on the bridge. Things are getting stranger and stranger for Adrian Ring, and far more dangerous. It wasn't enough for the people of Westfield to follow Abby and her family home on Christmas Eve and try to kill them. Now they're back for more. In Midnight, the third installment in the smash hit Adrian's Undead Diary series, the threats to Adrian and his new friends are greater than ever before. Local survivors holed up in an empty factory led by the chief of police are now crossing paths with Adrian and the Williams clan. Meanwhile Sean, the bloodthirsty tyrant from Westfield, seethes for vengeance after Adrian fends off attack after attack to take ALPA and everything he's worked so hard for. If they can't get at Adrian, how long will it be before they go after the ones near him? Who can Adrian trust when everyone is out for themselves? Now, at Midnight the darkest revelation of all comes: why. Why have the dead returned? Why are they killing the living? Why do the living only dream of the dead? What has humanity done to deserve such a fate, and what role does Adrian play in this great game?

©2011 Chris Philbrook (P)2014 Chris Philbrook

Best Book so far of the series so far!

Any additional comments?

So, I was a little wary after the first book. It wasn’t bad, there just didn’t seem to be a direction. I continued with the series, though, because it was entertaining regardless. The second book started to give hints to some grander scheme. Not many, but enough to realize there was more to the story.

Well, Mr. Philbrook produced it in this book. I was extremely happy with the direction of the plot. Learning the “reason” for the undead was completely new to me, and I give lots of kudos for originality.

Book 3 also held more action, story sub plots, and character development than the previous three books.

I really liked that not all the “bad” guys were actually bad. This is something that I think is way over dramatized in apocalyptic novels. There would always be a few who would take advantage of the lawlessness, but realistically, most people would be more worried about feeding themselves and their friends/family than raping and pillaging for the fun of it. Sometimes people have to do bad things for survival, but not because they are evil. I really liked how Mr. Philbrook ended the dispute with the other survival group.

As I said in the previous reviews, I am not a fan of switching from first person to third person. And again, Mr. Philbrook does a stand up job at this. Any other author that wishes to do this should take notes from him.

I will also say, for the first time, the narrator “James Foster” started to grow on me. This happens sometimes with audio books. I didn’t enjoy him that much in books 1 & 2, but now that we’re on book 3, I couldn’t imagine “Adrian” sounding like anyone else.

I kind of wish the first three books were one book. I would have 5 starred them all (feeling guilty now that I am full entrenched in the story). From book 1 to book 3, it tells a complete story with a suitable cliff hanger for the rest of the series.

Highly recommend this series.

The train wreck that we saw start in book 2 has ex

I was difficult for me to think of anything other that listening to this audiobook after finishing book 2. Philbrook has created a magic of sorts that resonated deep within me. I do have to say that it is starting to bug the crap out of me how dreadfully unprepared, not only with skill but the mental fortitude, I would be if I were in Adrian’s position.

Tipping the scales at almost twice as long as the first two books in the series and by far the longest in the series. I thought to myself that Philbrook must have a lot of ground to cover, boy was I right. There is a ton of stuff happening all around Adrian and his crew. Punctuated with side stories and point of view changes that added so much to the dramatic happenings. This also added a whole new dimension to the story as it would take you back through events where you think you know what has happened. You had no idea what the other side was thinking and doing and planning until now.

Adrian is quite the dynamic character, ex-military, college janitor or something (sorry I don’t remember), now leader of the healthiest encampment of survivors he can find. Who happens to have a heart of gold and is extremely emotionally charged in most of his actions and decisions. All of the characters are interesting, well evolved and not one dimensional. We get to know what is in that head of Adrian’s perhaps more than we wanted, but it adds so much intensity.

The train wreck that we saw start in book 2 has exploded. Lots and I mean lots of death and destruction, but there is also some growth and rebuilding. Here is the long and short of it all: enemies are made, defense is justified, traitors are among us, friends are made, friends are lost, more friends are made, revenge is sweet and dreams of the dead. Don’t worry if this doesn’t make any sense, it will once you listen.

It is all the little nuances that James Foster adds to what isn’t written that makes him so successful as Adrian. Whether it be the sighs of exasperation while listing of the ammo count, or the subtle and not so subtle humorous remarks, that could be taken differently, in the journal entries. He is also one of a few narrators that is able to deliver the story at a solid speed that is neither too fast or too slow. With his familiar and soothing voice he will keep you on the edge of your seat while bringing Philbrook’s vision to life.

James Foster is Adrian Ring just as much as Ray Porter is Joe Ledger. I cannot get enough of either of these guys.

Audiobook provided for review by the narrator.

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Well done

This is another great book in what has been a great series thus far. Ups, downs, fighting, crying, and of course Zombies.

Unexpected revelation

The main storyline is alot more dynamic now with new characters and new groups and as usual Philbrook is careful not to over do with too much of a good thing, keeping the short stories short, but powerful.

As before, one of the stories introduces a big new twist to the underlying zombie apocalypse plot line but we're kept in suspense as the book returns back to Adrian Ring's more conventional storyline. The twist was a shocker and I'm not sure if I am too keen on this part of the stories development but so far Philbrook has been an expert in crafting a believable story. The dreams, the zombies behaving a little weird, where will this lead?

The definitive aspects of book 3 are the interactions, negotiations and violence between the survivor groups and we get some resolution for what happened at the end of book two, concluding nicely.

The only part I didn't like was the classic "stupid kid who messes everything up" part, rather than using a more complicated method to bring a bit of sudden and unexpected development in the story. I found the story unpredictable as it was already.

I think that there are 8 books in this series, and I'm not even half way through yet, great! How are they going to get out of what happened at the end of this book? Can't wait!

Great series

Would you listen to Midnight again? Why?

Maybe in a couple years after I've forgotten some of the story

What did you like best about this story?

All of it really.

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

Just this series I believe, but he IS AUD for me

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

yes

Any additional comments?

Book 8 is preordered, if that tell you how much I enjoy this series

Adrian is awesome!

This series has been a fantastic listen so far! I stumbled upon this series quite by accident, although I prefer to listen to apocalyptic storylines, I wasn't looking for one when I found the first installment in this series. I chose it and am so glad that I did!! The author does such an amazing job of creating drama, suspense, horror , and sorrow through his writing. However, he also throws in those wonderful laugh out loud moments which one must have during a crisis of this magnitude! I find myself listening to these books everywhere! So much so that my husband complains that I don't listen to him anymore! Oh well, he will be fine!!

Best in the series so far!

If you could sum up Midnight in three words, what would they be?

Boom! Got ya!

What other book might you compare Midnight to and why?

I really have no idea. This series stands alone in my experience.

Which scene was your favorite?

The factory blowing up.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Zombies are not the only thing hunting them!

Any additional comments?

Best in the series so far. I really enjoyed this book in particular. Sean is a great character opposite of Adrian.

This series is AWESOME!! Loving the more books I read! Michael Talbot move over for Adrian Ring!

Loved this series.... A little slow getting started - but now I can't wait for the next chapter for Adrian!

awesome just awesome

like the narator this is a good series really enjoy em just finished this one in a day

I simply love this series of books

Another great story not to mention top notch narration. Thank you for hours of entertainment