The Living Dead Boy and the Zombie Hunters

A Young Adult Zombie Novel

By: Rhiannon Frater

Narrated by: Erik Sandvold

Length: 5 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

Josh Rondell is 12 years old and known as the "living dead boy" due to his rampant love of all things zombie. As the head of the Zombie Hunters Club, he's obsessed with preparing for the zombocalypse. Though no one around him really believes that zombies will one day rise to devour the living, Josh is convinced it just might happen.

When zombies do shamble into his schoolyard, Josh finds himself the leader of the dwindling band of zombie hunters, and he is charged with protecting them all. Josh's baby brother, his closest friends, and the love of his young life try to survive as the undead take over their town. Trapped in his treehouse and surrounded by the dead, will Josh be able to save them all?

©2010 Rhiannon Frater (P)2012 Rhiannon Frater

I absolutely couldn't take it any more.

What did you like best about The Living Dead Boy and the Zombie Hunters? What did you like least?

What did I like best? Not much. What did I like least? There are so many children in this book crying out for their parents. And when you listen to "Mama!" and "I want my dad!" over and over and over and over and OVER again it just made me cringe until I shut the book off half way. I don't know how the book ends but I hope the damn kids got eaten.

If you’ve listened to books by Rhiannon Frater before, how does this one compare?

I haven't.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

His children's voice crying out for their parents. Over and over and over again. I just couldn't take it any more.

Did The Living Dead Boy and the Zombie Hunters inspire you to do anything?

Not listen to anymore young adult zombie novels ever again. They're like regular zombie novels only more annoying.

Any additional comments?

If you hate the obnoxious children the next table over in the restaurant then SKIP this book.

Please never let me hear this Narrator again!

What would have made The Living Dead Boy and the Zombie Hunters better?

A different Narrator. The inflections on this guys voice is horrible. I don't know if a sample is offered, but before you purchase, get a sample listen.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Erik Sandvold?

Cassandra Campbell did the "As the World Dies" Trilogy and she did an acceptable job.

Any additional comments?

I really think I could have enjoyed this book more but was too distracted by the Narrator. I found myself mimicking what he was saying back to him while driving alone in my car, I was that annoyed.

Exciting YA Zombie Adventure!!!

I am a big fan of Rhiannon Frater, from her 'As the World Dies" series to her 'Hidden Necromancer' series and really looked forward to sharing her YA Zombie novel with others. I listened to this novel with my 3 nephews and we had a blast. Personally I hated the narrator, but he didn't seem to bother my nephews as they really got into the novel. We all felt the characters were very relatable, we have all had friends like each of the characters which made them feel more realistic than a lot of zombie books. Our favorite character was Josh, most annoying, Sam . . . but who hasn't known a kid like sam. Overall an excellent novel and a good one to share with the YA in your life. We are all looking forward to the next book in the series.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book!

Loved this story about a 12 year old boy who watched the existence of zombies go from his personal fantasy to a very clear reality. I highly recommend this book.

Good YA story (bad narrator?)

This may be only my opinion but the narrator chosen to read this story really made it hard to get into. Maybe he’s not from Texas and that was his version of a Texas drawl. But the narrator read it so slowly that I had to listen to it on 1.25 times speed. He read it as though he were reading hello moon toa three-year-old and I found that really annoying.

My first foray into a ya zombie novel !

Disclaimer: A code for this audiobook was provided by the author on exchange for a honest review.

This was my first journey into a young adult novel in any genre so I admit I was a little hesitant in regards if this would hold my interest. Well it had me from the first chapter until the last chapter. Brief side note - not sure if it was on purpose but gotta love the Drake and Josh siblings. I did not think it was possible to write about a zombie apocalypse and be descriptive enough but keep it rated for ya. The author pulled it off and can't wait to jump into the second book.

good story

I think the story was decent, but the Narrator was awful! it took me multiple tries to listen to this book. he reads it like it's the first time he has ever picked up this book. I think the Narrators performance takes away from the story line, but in my mind I just kept thinking.... ugh this guy is the worst! the only reason I got through the book, is because I like background noise when working. I honestly cannot tell you what is happening with the characters. hopefully the second book is a better listen.

Zombie hunters

What very good book please read or listen to It .what a great zombie book listening to next one now’

Zombies!

Excellent story! Both the writing and the narration are expertly done. I'm looking forward to the next installment.

Series for YA zombie lovers!!!

From the beginning you’ll be rooting for Josh and his friends! Well written with relatable and lovable characters. A great story to get YA into the zompoc. Loved it!!!

Great read/listen

Can’t wait to start the next one, I’m loving the characters and just need to know they’re all ok

Old Adult

While I am no longer a young adult, I still enjoyed this series. It had just as much action, drama and appeal as all the other zombie books I have read, but told from the childrens' perspectives which was a refreshing change. Looking forward to the next instalment.

The Living Dead Boy and the Zombie Hunters

The Living Dead Boy and the Zombie Hunters, Not as good as the later books but its a good story, I did think its aim at a young audience in the writing, but as a set of books it's a good story to set up the plotline of the trilogy.

Great for YA

The Living Dead Boy and the Zombie Hunters is a fantastic YA apocalyptic book that can be enjoyed by all ages. This book is a perfect blend of zombie action, suspense, and drama. It is tame and not too gory or overly violent. Rhiannon Frater is an exceptional author, adding the perfect balance of ingredients in a zombie apocalypse, yet remaining appropriate for teens and still enjoyable by adults. The narration by Erik Sandvold wasn't bad, definitely a better fit for YA listeners.

I was given a free copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

YA Zombies at their best!

This was an excellent YA zombie novel. 12 year old Josh, is the brave leader of the Zombie Hunters, guides his rag tag group of friends to safety through one crisis after another, making the best choices he can to problems even the adults struggle with. I found myself absorbed with his frustration of his circumstances and realisation of what means the most to him and the possibility of losing everything dear to him. His heartbreaking realisation that his longed for dreams of heroism during a zombie apocalypse are so very different in reality - "Be very careful what you wish for" I can't wait to read more!

Worthwhile despite the narrator!

Enjoyed the storyline and characterisation but found the narrator very difficult to listen to.

☺

This is the first audio book in a set of 3 it's very good 5 out of 5

The Living dead boy

This is a story that, while seemingly innocent in the beginning, becomes so much more as the story progresses. Shortly after the Zombie Hunters leave and Josh returns from training to eat dinner with his family

Good for a young adult

Initially the narration put me off, this may be down to personal choice, but I'm an older reader/ listener so it may be fine for the younger zombie fans.
I found the story engaging despite the narration and will go on to listen to the next installment.
I'll recommend this to my youngest daughter as a beginner zombie story but not until she's 13+