Trudge

Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse, Book 1

By: Shawn Chesser

Narrated by: Chris Patton

Length: 6 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's Summary

For Cade Grayson, husband, father, and former Delta Force operator, that one warm sunny Saturday in July - to be labeled Z-Day by some anonymous person probably long dead - began like all the others before and none since.

With his daughter, Raven, and wife, Brook, away visiting her parents in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Cade hopes his immediate future holds nothing but an easy chair, Mariners on the tube, and paring down a honey-do list a mile long. But those hopes were quickly dashed and his life forever changed when news broke of a clash in downtown Portland between soldiers from the Oregon National Guard and hundreds of anarchist protesters suddenly turned violent and, by one anchor's account, blood-thirsty and cannibalistic.

As the first waves of injured bystanders, guardsmen, and rioters arrived at hospitals, it became apparent that a deadly new disease had been unleashed on the population. Whether the virus was naturally occurring or an escaped lab experiment, Cade hadn't a clue and wasn't especially concerned until he learned of its unprecedented virulence, unusual method of transference, and the fact that, according to the news, it brought the newly dead back to life, semi-mindless, and with an insatiable desire to feed on the flesh of the living.

Armed with this new information and now seeing the bigger cities such as Washington, D.C., New York, and Los Angeles rocked by the rapidly spreading scourge, Cade ignores the volley of contradictory edicts drawn up by the White House and set into motion by FEMA and DHS, dusts off his tools of war, and loads his truck with supplies.

Unable to get ahold of Brook and Raven, and unwilling to leave them at the mercy of some distant politician's inability to hold the nation together, he begins an impossible 3,000-mile journey across a reeling United States with presumably millions of infected in his path and only one acceptable outcome: find Brook and Raven alive - or die trying.

©2011 Shawn Chesser (P)2015 Shawn Chesser

Keep on Trudging, Cade!!

Cade Grayson is the ultimate family man! He worships his daughter and wife. Caring only about getting back to them at all costs, since, for him, there is no life without the people he loves the most in this world.

He is a fighter through and through. . . giving meaning to the term "Manning Up!" Taking it to a WHOLE new level! He has nothing to prove, but when it becomes necessary, he can take down zombies like nobody's business!

Mr. Chesser is an incredibly talented, creative author, and I plan on plowing through his work!

Thanks!

Just plain stupid

This book started out OK, but it just got plain stupid. I made it about a third of the way before I said enough is enough. The biggest problem is this author has never been in the military and it shows. His main character is former Delta Force and super soldier. I stopped when the super soldier knowingly drove his small caravan into a kill zone. He was not surprised. He knew it was right there. He did it...I don’t know why he did it. I already though the story line was contrived and the characters thin, and that chapter did it for me. Just in case the author is reading this, I am going to offer a little bit of constructive advice since I am otherwise being hard on you. ALL military tactics reside on one simple premise. Always take the other guy by surprise, and never let him take you by surprise. A junior ROTC cadet would have had enough sense not to drive into a kill zone.

Zombiefied

I had just finished a zombie series and not ready for a break from the genre and found this while looking an I wasn't disappointed. I liked the characters, style and flow. The reader did a great job. My only complaint was how short it was. I cant wait to continue the story.

WONDERFULLY SUPRISED!

Would you listen to Trudge again? Why?

Absolutely! Loved the story line and

What did you like best about this story?

The relationship between Cade,Raven and Brooke. The story made you feel Cade's desperation find and to be with his family.

What about Chris Patton’s performance did you like?

Chris does an awesome job! Narrators can make or break a book for me sometimes.

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

I do feel bad for the people who get devoured but.....

Very Home hitting

The story yet somewhat cliche`. It leaves the reader very involved with the story. I personally like the very descriptive nature of the book so far. Definitely going to pick up the next one and start immediately.

If a college freshman wrote a zombie story...

This book is verbose; the author unnecessarily describes firearms, gore, and scenes in ways that add nothing to the story. It’s to be expected, but it comes so often that it makes it irritating.

This is compounded by irrelevant political statements that feel like plugs there for the Fox News crowds. We don’t need to know about fuel lines under the Carter Presidency and referring to hijab as “Man Dresses” only adds mild racism to the story.

Characters are simple and shallow with basic motivations and are not confronted with any decisions or problems that aren’t covered in EVERY zombie show, movie, or book.

I wasn’t looking for Voltaire when I bought this, only hoping for a simple survival story. This is only sort of entertaining, and I find myself thinking or doing other things while reading it...

Robert's Review

A good book, you won't be disappointed.
The narrative is great. I really like this first book.
Do get the series.

Great

this is a well written book. I loved it can't wait to get in the rest.

if you like zombie novels this is a good read

great read couldn't put it down, read it in one day lol ending just made me want more so I'm starting book #2 can't wait!!

Trudge

Loved it, Shawn did an awesome job. Can't wait to listen to the next one Soldier on.

sorry but i hated it....

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Before I continue let me add that I love the zombie genre, books, films TV series, even the crappy ones.... I don't know how many books I have read but its in the dozens... long winded doccu types like z nation, and belt along "arisen" and "mountain man" series...I am really easy going .. but this was just. well, boring and nasty, boring because it felt as if it had been written with the help of a couple of books for reference.. and nasty in as much as you expect to have a bunch of zombies chomping on people, but c'mon..' what have you got against pre 7yr olds, the glee with which you slaughter 4 to 7 year olds left me feeling REALLY uncomfortable, what was the ratio.... 15 to 1 adult per page?? I have a policy, if someone can take the time to pen a novel then I will take the time to finish it... but not this time, 30 or 40 pages was more than enough....

What was most disappointing about Shawn Chesser’s story?

The story

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Not the best but considering what he had to work with....

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Trudge?

Enough said already

Any additional comments?

Couldn't find the option to return this book, probably went to far in hoping it would improve

Couldn't get into the story

Would you try another book written by Shawn Chesser or narrated by Chris Patton?

No

What will your next listen be?

No sure, don't want to waste more money

Who might you have cast as narrator instead of Chris Patton?

mark gagliardi

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

No

Any additional comments?

I love Zombie books, I couldn't put down Mark Tufo's or John O'Brians booked, but I couldn't get into this one.

Fantastic

What a fantastic narration, I’ve read the book and it was fantastic to listen to it being read out on my car stereo ! Made very boring drives to London and back fly by. Thank you Shawn and Chris 👍

Gruesome but as it would be so if it were life 5*

Narrator made the book so enjoyable. Perfect for characters too. Brilliantly written book. Thank you

Well worth a listen

Now on book 7 and hooked. Thought it was lazy to listen instead of read but am really enjoying it.

Garbage

Absolute garbage, overtly racist, over the top nationalism (e.g the main characters brother in law disliked him till he found out he volunteered for the military, then is willing to die for him), no build up to break down in society, literally happens over night, bikers gutting children and beheading people within 24hrs, main character getting a free pass wherever he likes because he had a military background (which leads to no problem solving, just "I was in the military" "well ok then go right ahead sir". Every character is either a good guy that knows how to shoot or and absolute maniac who will butcher anyone they cross all this before day 1 is over, that's as far as I got before giving up,

terrible zombie story

no build up on characters background, jumping around between characters. it is really confusing and narrated badly. is kate a male or female? still not sure.

Giving up at Chapter 23

I recently binged on the Mountain Man series.

Thought I would try this story. But after 23 chapters I have had enough. Not going to listen further. I care more the Bronco 4x4 then any of the characters.

Borderline racist lead character makes it even more depressing, nothing worse then a racist character at the end of the world :-)

Gaf