Plague of the Undead

Dead Lands, Book 1

By: Joe McKinney

Narrated by: Todd McLaren

Length: 12 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's Summary

For 30 years, they have avoided the outbreak of walking death that has consumed America's heartland. They have secured a small compound near the ruins of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Isolated from the world, they have remained blissfully unaware of what lies outside in the region known as the Dead Lands. Until now.

Led by a military vet who's seen better days, the inexperienced offspring of the original survivors form a small expedition to explore the wastelands around them. A biologist, an anthropologist, a photographer, a salvage expert - all are hoping to build a new future from the rubble. But the infected are still out there. Stalking. Feeding. Spreading like a virus. Wild animals roam the countryside, hunting prey. Small pockets of humanity hide in the shadows: some scared, some mad, all dangerous. This is the New World. If the explorers want it, they'll have to take it. Dead or alive.

©2014 Joe McKinney (P)2014 Tantor

could have been more

Ok I have a confession to make: I have a life… not a real good one, but I do have one. Sadly, this life has got in the way of my ability to listen to audible books for the past two weeks. This life may have influenced my thoughts on Joe McKinney’s “Plague of the Undead” as I was forced to listen to this one in a lot more broken parts than I usually do. So I will do my best not to transfer my anger and bitterness of my lot to my review ;-)

I choose this book on a whim and a prayer. I didn’t read the publisher’s summary. There were no reviews and I had not listened to the author or narrator before. But it was cheap!

The first thing that struck me was how slow the narrator was. It is no problem listening to this one at 1.5x speed. In fact if you listened to it at normal speed you would probably end up pulling out your hair… oh dear no… now I am feeling depressed about my lack of hair on my head! Can anyone tell me why I am loosing my hair off my head but seem to be gaining it on my back?

The second thing that struck me was this is not your usual zombie book. It is really about a couple of key people from a town who have successfully cut themselves off from the outside world after ‘dead return’. It is those key people’s adventure out into the unknown. It is cross between a western/adventure/sci fi type deal.

I was constantly surprised by it all. Some of the ideas in it are brilliant, but on some levels poorly brought about. It almost feels like a story that hasn’t really been edited or had the time spent on it. But like I said, it might be the fact I wasn’t able to listen to this one in long sittings.

On a couple of occasions I felt like putting it down not to return. I didn’t like the stress caused by some of the incidents in which the ladies where involved. I’m not a fan of listening to rape accounts! But every time as I was about to give it up, the scene would end.

I get the feeling that this one could have been so much more! I suspect the next in the series could get better, but personally I am not spending money on it unless it is on special, and it would have to be a BIG SPECIAL! With the slow speed and the need to speed it up so much it certainly does not become value per hour listening.

A great Zombie Read...

Would you listen to Plague of the Undead again? Why?

Of the many "Undead" novels I have listened to and read, this is one of the few I might listen to again. However, as a rule I don't listen to any audiobooks more then once.

What did you like best about this story?

The characters were well developed and "Real!" Instead of impossible luck and kick-ass heros with impossible fighting or survival skills, what Mr. McKinnney gave us was characters who were believable. Characters who made bad, but not totally stupid, decisions. Characters who behaved in a way that I believe many of us might also behave in when faced with unexpected situations.

What about Todd McLaren’s performance did you like?

Nice voice adjustments for various characters. Also, his female characters didn't sound like idiots, which I have noticed some of other male voice over performers sometimes make the female characters sound ridiculous.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, but I don't want to give it away. I like that Mr. McKinney is not afraid to kill off key characters.

Any additional comments?

I am an avid reader and started reading Zombie novels about 8 years ago, when the genre was just really taking off. This book provided everything I like in a good Zombie novel, and quite frankly I believe Joe McKinney is a truly talented writer. I will be looking for more of his future works.

Pretty good story.

The story is pretty good, but the Narrator made all the women sound like chronically constipated emphysema patients.

Yuck

And not in a good way. Nothing to see or hear here. Move along. More fun watching MJ Thriller video.

Terrible

What would have made Plague of the Undead better?

This book should be on the top 10 worst zombie books of all time. The story is terrible and the narrator was even worse. I absolutely couldn't stand this book. I stopped listening when the story changed over to the beginning of the out break as it truly made me wish the zombie apocalypse started in my Jeep.

What was most disappointing about Joe McKinney’s story?

The entire story was badly written.

What didn’t you like about Todd McLaren’s performance?

The performance was boring.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

No it didn't

Any additional comments?

Don't buy this book.