The Harvesting (The Harvesting Series Book 1)

By: Melanie Karsak

Narrated by: Kristin James

Length: 7 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's Summary

It's all fun and games until someone ends up undead.

Layla Petrovich has spent her whole life running away from her hometown of Hamletville. Raised by the town's medium, and dubbed the "weird" girl for her fascination with swords, the last thing Layla wants is to go home.

But when she receives a desperate call to return just as a mysterious outbreak sweeps the country, Layla's instincts urge her to go. Good thing, because the dead are rising.

Layla, however, isn't entirely on her own. With her psychic powers growing, surely everything will turn out okay, right?

Not so fast. Just when Layla believes she might survive the apocalypse, a sinister and ancient force rises from the shadows to finish mankind for good.

Because the truth is, we were never alone in this world.

Begin The Harvesting Series with The Harvesting, Book 1.

©2012 Clockpunk Press (P)2015 Clockpunk Press

BLOODY SALIVA

WHITE ELEPHANT SALE
Our main character is in the middle of a zombie (oops, undead, no zombies in this book), and she starts having a memory of a white elephant sale in which she bought her sword. Often in the middle of action scenes, she reminisces about her past. Not that the fight scenes are that exciting to begin with. Here is how she described one such encounter: I STABBED HER IN THE EYE, SHE FELL. That's it. Pretty much through the first 2 and a half hours, which was all I could take. There was one good scene in which you felt you were there and in which you got that ick feeling. It was when she took her knife out of a cub scouts forehead. It was a showing not telling moment. All the rest were telling moments and were narrated like reading a shopping list.

I WAS NAKED UNDERNEATH
Within two hours of her killing her dear grandma and her ex-boyfriend watching his wife and kids killed, these two are going at it. She is hot for him and he is hard. Now at the last minute she does call it off, but I find it hard to believe it went even that far.

GREEN BURIAL
As another reviewer mentions, it was real hard to believe that this whole town turned to her for leadership. We are not shown anything that would make you believe they had that kind of confidence in this young girl and no older man thought he should be in charge. Then they decided to protect the town from the Undead, Diseased, Sick (not Zombies) by covering the bridge and the two roads coming into town. Cause the undead are not going to walk through the woods?

WITH A FEELING OF DISCONNECT
To top everything off this narrator was very uninspired.

a spin on surviving the zombie apocalypse

The Harvesting by Melanie Karsak is a riveting horror and love story. Layla Petrovich is summoned home by her elderly psychic grandmother. Grandmother Petrovich gives Layla duties to perform and vague instructions; like a dutiful granddaughter, Layla follows them to a T – well, except for the part that makes her deal with her past boyfriend who dumped her to marry someone else.

Shortly after arriving home, Grandmother Petrovich becomes an undead victim of the vicious and deadly virus that has hit humanity. Layla must make hard decisions that may save her small piece of the world or condemn all those she has loved and cared for to die. Inheriting her grandmother’s psychic visions, Layla receives help from many unseen allies – forest sprites, animal totems and grandmother Petrovich.

Layla thought her only concerns were the walking zombies but she soon discovers there are far more deadly monsters out there that want to eat her friends.

The Harvesting is an interesting spin on surviving the zombie apocalypse by using the spirit world for guidance and the tie in of other monsters threatening humankind. I enjoyed the twists and turns, the romance was not sickening but rather presented in a stand-offish manner making it more believable. The dialog was well utilized in every aspect of the book.

I enjoyed the characters – Karsak presented each character with the right cues to make them loved, hated or indifferent. Layla is the sword wielding, Russian warrior who will save her friends regardless of who gets in her way with deliberate and deadly thrusts and slashes of her Shashka. Tough as nails but vulnerable as well, Layla is exciting and what most every girl wants to be when she grows up – a woman warrior! She does not dwarf the other characters, they are allowed to grow and show as much depth as Layla.

The presence of other beings simply affirms Layla’s acceptance of savior and wise, warrior woman.

Kristin James did a good job of narration given the accents and Russian words she had to pronounce. Both Kristin and the book kept my attention! Karsak being a B.R.A.G. medallion winner is icing on the cake – this is a must read for lovers of horror!

There were no issues with production.

Audiobook was provided for review by the author.

Please find this complete review and many others at my review blog

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Yawn Fest! Guilty of the crime of being boring.

This goes to the top of “Worst Book I Have Read This Year” category and I average about four books a week. I knew I was in trouble from the beginning when this supposedly strong and well trained woman was still in love with… are you ready for it … her old cheating, now married boyfriend from HIGHSCHOOL. Ugh..nothing is more pathetic in a person who years later can’t return home because of her broken heart. This lady is supposed to kick some major zombie butt (which by the way never happens). This is a truly dumb love story with zombies as a secondary plot line. Then half way through the tedious story the book turns into a totally different equally as dull and boring new plot. I won’t spoil the twist for you, just in case you fall for all the FIVE STAR reviews for this book like I was a knucklehead to do. To get through this book I listened to it on speed 3x and I still skipped parts. I normally don’t write reviews but after having audible and Kindle shove this book in my face everyday “based on your past purchases area” I felt compelled to write one. If you want good zombie books with compelling storylines included…. try the Zombie Fallout series or The Reapers are the Angels, The Dog Stars and I am Legend.

A paranormal - horror mashup that works!

I loved this book when I read it last year, listening to it just makes it that much better.

The main character Layla has everything going good in her life. Likes her job, loves her city, and finally got a date with the guy she had been eyeing for a while. Then her psychic grandmother calls and tells her to come home immediately. Being the good grandchild, she drops everything and takes off within the hour. When she gets there she finds Grandmother prepping like crazy, but she won't give an explanation as to why. People start coming down with a flu like sickness, and anyone who enjoys zombie books knows that will never end well.

Layla needs to protect the people of the town where she grew up, and she does it well. Then mysterious strangers show up with a deal that sounds way too good to pass up on a 'safe' island in a big, fancy hotel. Layla has to follow the towns folk against her better judgement to keep them safe from the next monsters.

There is no shortage of action in this book,and it has a little of everything included.

This was my first time listening to Kristin James narrate, and I think she did a fantastic job. Different voices and accents for the different characters (loved how she read Grandmother!) and she really relayed the emotions present in the book.

Audio book received for an honest review.

New favorite!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

It is a zombie book and so much more!! It is like Mark Tufo's series with a twist!

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Harvesting?

When Ian did right by his brother! Best sacrifice ever!!

What does Kristin James bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Perfect compliment to the awesome book!

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

Yes!! I started not to get it because it was only 7 hours, but because it was so full of intrigue, it felt like it was a lot longer in the best possible way!

The Harvesting

I enjoyed this book very much. It first when the book start down the Zombie path, I thought I would not like it because I feel Zombies are a bit over done. But I loved it! I want to read more of the series. The Narrator did a great job as well. I love how there voices change with each character and I must say Layla was my favorite. But I loved everything about this book and all the other characters and all of Layla's friends as well. I am excited to read book 2. "This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom dot com."

Really??

One of the enjoyable things about these novel is when a woman can kick ass. Well Layla is able to do that. But her kick ass training is ancient sword fighting at the Smithsonian? Oh, her girlfriend did get her to go to a taekwondo class. While she is fighting an ancient vampire she is thinking how lucky she is that she took the class. Being a sword fighting expert does not mean you can throw a punch or stealth do a search and rescue.

Over a weekend her grandmother gives her a shooting class where she uses various guns and automatics. When she wakes up 2 days later at she can shoots anything in her way. Really?

There are former soldiers who are more qualified to lead the town and a 24 year old girl with no combat experience is leading the townspeople.Really??

There is too much for me to accept as plausible in this story. I am not getting book 2.

So many different paranormals!!

This book was soooo good!!! It has a bit of everything.

When Layla is called home by her grandmother, she knows something must be seriously wrong. Her grandmother doesn't call her home in such a mysterious manner for no reason. When she arrives, she finds her grandmothers home changed! There is a chain link fence all around the property and her windows seemed to be boarded up. Layla wants answers but all her grandmother does is hand her a massive shopping list and tells her to buy everything on it. Layla obeys as she knows her grandmother won't answer questions till she is ready. Layla heads off to get everything from food, bottled water and batteries to odd things like holy water. It reads to Layla like a list for someone preparing to hole up in preparation for a storm.

A storm is coming in the shape of a mysterious virus. As Layla watches events unfold on the news, the virus hits her small town and the dead seem to be rising! Layla realises her grandmother saw this happen, which is why she called Layla back. Laylas grandmother tells her she must protect the town and its inhabitants. What follows is one heck of a ride for both Layla and us!!!

I think the best thing about this book, for me anyway, was Layla!! She was absolutely kick ass and awesome. This is a woman who teaches people how to use old weapons like the Shashka and Katana. Her blade of choice is the Shashka and it comes in extremely useful when a Zombie apocalypse comes ;) She is level headed, brave and smart and it's hard to not to root for her. On top of the Zombies, she is also dealing with the fact that she seems to have inherited her grandmothers physic ability and is now seeing forest spirits talking to her!! Yet she never loses her focus and does everything she can to keep everyone safe.

Another major plus for this book was the world building! We start off with the Zombies but interwoven throughout is the introduction of various other supernatural beings. Like the forest spirits, ghosts and other things! It was spectacularly done!!

This book is such an amazing one that I'm surprised it isn't more popular! The characters were all amazing, especially Layla and her Grandmother, the world may be bleak but it is extremely well built and developed and the whole book is full of twists, turns and action, that I flew through this in no time! I can't wait to dive back into this world and see what happens Layla and her crew!

Kristin James did a great job with the narration. She was easy to follow and had plenty of different cadences. I loved her voice for Grandmother!! I will definitely check out more by her.

*I received a copy of this for review. This in no way affected my thoughts.*

Don't believe the hype

With all the 5 star ratings I thought this book would be great or at least decent. I was wrong. I don't ever write reviews but I feel like I've been lead astray. I found the book to be boring, predictable, and not the least bit believable. The main character Layla comes back home at the drop of a dime at the request of her crazy Russian grandma. Grandmas bought all these supplies and weapons with no explanation and Layla just shrugs like that's my grandma. Then once grandma abruptly dies Layla turns into a one man undead army. Gets elected town leader with no reason given why these ppl would even follow her but the fact that she singlehandedly killed a horde of 50+ undead not zombies....I kept listening hoping it would get better, but no. Which brings me to the narration. It was terrible. Every time she read any of the male characters parts. She made them all sound like idiots. No matter what was happening she made them sound like complete idiots. Do yourself a favor and just steer clear of this one.

So much more than an apocalyptic zombie story!

What did you love best about The Harvesting?

What could I not love? Layla is a strong woman with knowledge to make the suggestions available to the people of her town. The wood spirits are a wonderful addition to the world with their helping. The fact that we stay in Hamletville long enough and move on to another place and a new situation that needs to be solved is bold and wonderful!

Then the voice of Kristin blended with Melanie's writing. Splendid! She brings Layla and her world to life.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Harvesting?

Hmm, this is hard as I don't want to spoil the story. But I think the loss of the closest to Layla early on, then the shift to the new 'situation' and what we learn there. There are so many memorable moments. Buddy at the mirrors, Frenchy with her daughters, Layla talking to the spirits on a few occasions. So much to love here.

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

I've not listened to Kristin's work before, but I'm planning on trying to get all her stuff now. The emotions she puts into her words and voice are amazing. She yells when needs to and soft when the moment calls for it. Her acting brought the story and characters to life.

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

I did tear up, which is hard to do when I'm listening. Kristin's performance with Melanie's written words were full of emotion and feeling that I felt for the characters at times. I even had the heart racing moments as Kristin's talked sped up with the rush of the moment of actions.

Any additional comments?

Just when I thought I was settling in, the story has a turn that brings us to something new! Oh this was wonderful! This story has so much more than I was ever expecting to read. We struggle through in Hamletville with Layla and those that survive, but then to come upon another obstacle in their lives and choices they made. Oh a new foe appears and is exciting to see!

There is a bit of love in the book as well. Layla returns home, where her ex-boyfriend and the love of her youth still lives. But there is a potential other interest. It's not a three way that we all see all the time. Actually, Layla has her mind made up early on, it's that one of them has to get it through their skull that there's not a chance with her. And, I'm thrilled with the one she picks. He's TOTALLY the right choice.

If you haven't read or listened to this one, you SHOULD! I listened to that audio and man... this is an AMAZING combo of writing by Melanie and voice by Kristin. If you are a UF fan, you'll will enjoy this.

Edge of your seat read

What can I say! The narrator nailed it... excellent story and couldn’t stop listening. I really recommend this book you won’t be disappointed.. somehow has a ring to current times!

Great characters and back-story's

I enjoyed this book so much, the portrayal of the main characters had so much detail and it was so accurate (in relation to the old immigration wave, older generation immigrants). I will be waiting for book 2 in audio, because for me personally, the audio version of the story is so much better. Who knew, that by complete chance, I will be able to find a gem!