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Morningstar Strain #2
Thunder and Ashes
A lot can change in three months: wars can be decided, nations can be forged... or entire species can be brought to the brink of annihilation. The Morningstar Virus, an incredibly virulent disease, has swept the face of the planet, infecting billions. Its hosts rampage, attacking anything that remains uninfected. Even death can't stop the virus-its victims as cannibalistic shamblers.
Scattered across the world, embattled groups have persevered. For some, surviving is the pinnacle of achievement. Others hoard goods and weapons. And still others leverage power over the remnants of humanity in the form of a mysterious cure for Morningstar. Francis Sherman and Anna Demilio want only a vaccine, but to find it, they must cross a countryside in ruins, dodging not only the infected, but also the lawless living.
The bulk of the storm has passed over the world, leaving echoing thunder and softly drifting ashes. But for the survivors, the peril remains, and the search for a cure is just beginning...
Scattered across the world, embattled groups have persevered. For some, surviving is the pinnacle of achievement. Others hoard goods and weapons. And still others leverage power over the remnants of humanity in the form of a mysterious cure for Morningstar. Francis Sherman and Anna Demilio want only a vaccine, but to find it, they must cross a countryside in ruins, dodging not only the infected, but also the lawless living.
The bulk of the storm has passed over the world, leaving echoing thunder and softly drifting ashes. But for the survivors, the peril remains, and the search for a cure is just beginning...
312 pages, Paperback
First published April 21, 2008
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4689 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews
June 6, 2008
What I learned: that in Recht's books, people are more terrifying than zombies. Not an original idea, but well executed here. This book does not suffer from the "middle book" syndrome that book-two-out-of-three-in-a-trilogy entries do. The fast pace and constant action of the first book is present here as well. Now the wait for #3 begins!
August 13, 2008
After reading the first book of this series, I felt compelled to find out what happened with the plot and the characters. I expected the sequel to be about the same or possibly worse than the first, but I really enjoyed the concept of 28 Days Later style infected who turn into shambling zombies after being killed. I was pleasantly shocked to find the sequel to be a great improvement from the first in the writing style and in the story. If you've read the first, you need to read this. If you haven't read the first, I recommend this series.
April 17, 2017
The first thing I need to say before getting into the review is that it will have spoilers to a few things that happen in book one, so if you read this and haven't read book one, it will spoil the story for you! As this is one of my favourite zombie series EVER I urge you to read the books before my reviews if you love zombie action! OK now strap yourself in and lets get into this review.
It picks up exactly where the first one cuts off. Sherman's group get back on the road after the disaster at Hyattsburg and decide to stop at an airport. Mark Styles, bitten on the supply run in town, hides in a comic book store to wait for the end. Anna's group realise that Sawyer knows where they plan to go and is stalking them, ready to ambush them at any moment. Those remaining on the USS Ramage decide to abandon ship and follow the route they think Sherman took, hoping to catch up to them on the road. With everyone now on American soil, they have to be aware of rampaging zombies, unfriendly locals and dangerous bandits.
This book moves at breakneck speed, following three main groups-Sherman, Harris and Anna. The story switches between the three as they all head towards the secure facility, and the tension is pretty much non stop. The action scenes again are brilliantly written, leaving you anxious about your favourite characters. There are zombie attacks, corrupt psycho agents, rescue raids, bandit attacks, and survivors trying to rebuild communities in protected towns. It is not just about the action and zombie gore, it is about groups of people trying to stay alive and remain people, not monsters.
Character wise, I loved the introduction of the community at Abraham, who agree to help Sherman's team repair vehicles damaged by the bandits, if the military men will help to rescue the women that the bandits took hostage. This leads to a whole new danger, not just in the actual raid, but the war that will start between Abraham and the bandits. Anna's group discover that Sawyer has gone rogue and wants to capture Anna because he believes that she already has a cure and he wants it. Her group have to deal with repeated attempts on their lives by Sawyer and his allies, while Sherman is dealing with a full scale combined bandit and zombie attack on the town. There is certainly never a dull moment in this sequel! Harris and his men have to run the gauntlet in Hyattsburg as they correctly guess that Sherman has gone this way and get a few surprises there.
Harris realises that they may have the key to a cure if they can get to the facility safely and they have no way of contacting Anna or Sherman for help or to tell them of their discovery. Sawyer has sent people ahead to the facility to lay a trap for Anna. Anna and Sherman are both en route to the facility...and things are getting very exciting! I'm not going to go into details of the plot or who survives and dies but each time I read this series, I am still caught up in the story even when I know what will happen. It was so good to read and so well written.
It was sad that the author died after completion of this book, at the age of 26, which was tragic on an epic scale for his loved ones. These were his first two books and we can only imagine all the wonderful stories that he had planned for a future that sadly he never got to see. His publisher and author Thom Brannan, agreed to use his notes to complete the trilogy which was a fitting tribute. I can tell you that the third novel does not disappoint and will be reviewed by me shortly.
Zombie fans really need to treat themselves to this brilliant series!
It picks up exactly where the first one cuts off. Sherman's group get back on the road after the disaster at Hyattsburg and decide to stop at an airport. Mark Styles, bitten on the supply run in town, hides in a comic book store to wait for the end. Anna's group realise that Sawyer knows where they plan to go and is stalking them, ready to ambush them at any moment. Those remaining on the USS Ramage decide to abandon ship and follow the route they think Sherman took, hoping to catch up to them on the road. With everyone now on American soil, they have to be aware of rampaging zombies, unfriendly locals and dangerous bandits.
This book moves at breakneck speed, following three main groups-Sherman, Harris and Anna. The story switches between the three as they all head towards the secure facility, and the tension is pretty much non stop. The action scenes again are brilliantly written, leaving you anxious about your favourite characters. There are zombie attacks, corrupt psycho agents, rescue raids, bandit attacks, and survivors trying to rebuild communities in protected towns. It is not just about the action and zombie gore, it is about groups of people trying to stay alive and remain people, not monsters.
Character wise, I loved the introduction of the community at Abraham, who agree to help Sherman's team repair vehicles damaged by the bandits, if the military men will help to rescue the women that the bandits took hostage. This leads to a whole new danger, not just in the actual raid, but the war that will start between Abraham and the bandits. Anna's group discover that Sawyer has gone rogue and wants to capture Anna because he believes that she already has a cure and he wants it. Her group have to deal with repeated attempts on their lives by Sawyer and his allies, while Sherman is dealing with a full scale combined bandit and zombie attack on the town. There is certainly never a dull moment in this sequel! Harris and his men have to run the gauntlet in Hyattsburg as they correctly guess that Sherman has gone this way and get a few surprises there.
Harris realises that they may have the key to a cure if they can get to the facility safely and they have no way of contacting Anna or Sherman for help or to tell them of their discovery. Sawyer has sent people ahead to the facility to lay a trap for Anna. Anna and Sherman are both en route to the facility...and things are getting very exciting! I'm not going to go into details of the plot or who survives and dies but each time I read this series, I am still caught up in the story even when I know what will happen. It was so good to read and so well written.
It was sad that the author died after completion of this book, at the age of 26, which was tragic on an epic scale for his loved ones. These were his first two books and we can only imagine all the wonderful stories that he had planned for a future that sadly he never got to see. His publisher and author Thom Brannan, agreed to use his notes to complete the trilogy which was a fitting tribute. I can tell you that the third novel does not disappoint and will be reviewed by me shortly.
Zombie fans really need to treat themselves to this brilliant series!
November 17, 2009
The good times started by the Morningstar virus in Plague of the Dead just keep on coming. Society has almost completely crumbled worldwide. Francis Sherman is leading the ragtag remnants of a group of soldiers and refugees across the U.S. from the west coast to hopefully meet up with friend and Morningstar expert, Anna Demilio, in Omaha at a research facility where they hope to develop a vaccine.
Sherman has new problems not limited to zombies. Supplies are low and hard to come by, and gangs of still living people want to take whatever they can. Anna’s group is working its way from D.C. but she has her own issues since she’s being hunted by a rogue group of government intelligence types that have gone off the deep end and want her secured.
Like Plague of the Dead, this is B-level zombie fun with very black-and-white characters and lots of faux-military style jargon and plenty of action. It’s not up to the levels of World War Z or The Walking Dead or Breathers, but if you’re craving a story about flesh eating zombies taking over the world, I’ve read far worse. It’s the equivalent of catching a decent horror movie on cable when you weren’t expecting much out of it and being pleasantly surprised.
Sherman has new problems not limited to zombies. Supplies are low and hard to come by, and gangs of still living people want to take whatever they can. Anna’s group is working its way from D.C. but she has her own issues since she’s being hunted by a rogue group of government intelligence types that have gone off the deep end and want her secured.
Like Plague of the Dead, this is B-level zombie fun with very black-and-white characters and lots of faux-military style jargon and plenty of action. It’s not up to the levels of World War Z or The Walking Dead or Breathers, but if you’re craving a story about flesh eating zombies taking over the world, I’ve read far worse. It’s the equivalent of catching a decent horror movie on cable when you weren’t expecting much out of it and being pleasantly surprised.
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July 26, 2011Succinctly, Z. A. Recht loves the zombie genre, with a military edge. He has developed some interesting twists on the standard elements.
The execution is sophomoric. The characters are almost strictly stereotypes, the tension vehicles are overplayed, and there is no worry that the good guys will win out. No sense that this couldn't be a Hollywood script.
Still, I found it easier to finish than Brian Keene's _The Rising_, which reads as the work of a man who wants to hurt women and make money with as little effort as possible. It was also easier to finish than _The Fall_, book two of _The Strain_ trilogy by Guillermo del Toro. I think Chuck Hogan wrote the first book of that trilogy, as it's much tighter and better-executed than _The Fall_ by far.
_Thunder and Ashes_ is energetic and for all its glaring faults warm and human. The pity is that Recht won't be able to hone his writing and push his enthusiasm further.
The execution is sophomoric. The characters are almost strictly stereotypes, the tension vehicles are overplayed, and there is no worry that the good guys will win out. No sense that this couldn't be a Hollywood script.
Still, I found it easier to finish than Brian Keene's _The Rising_, which reads as the work of a man who wants to hurt women and make money with as little effort as possible. It was also easier to finish than _The Fall_, book two of _The Strain_ trilogy by Guillermo del Toro. I think Chuck Hogan wrote the first book of that trilogy, as it's much tighter and better-executed than _The Fall_ by far.
_Thunder and Ashes_ is energetic and for all its glaring faults warm and human. The pity is that Recht won't be able to hone his writing and push his enthusiasm further.
November 5, 2010
Thunder and Ashes starts out where the first book left off in this trilogy. We have the split story, one of General Sherman and his team of army men and civilians making their way from the west coast towards Omaha, hoping to meet up with Anna Demilio and her much smaller group coming in from the east coast. They are racing towards a facility where they hope to hatch a vacine for the Morningstar virus, the plague that has swept over the world creating two forms of plague victims, one still alive, fast, and brutally violent, and one undead, slower, but just as dangerous and canibalistic.
I could have given this story a full five stars, it does rate that based on the action in the story. General Sherman's march was far more interesting to me, especially his pit stop in a little town in Kansas, than the more brief excerpts from Anna and Mason's more silent trek, but their stories tie together nicely, with plague victims, raiders, and rogue government agents all nipping at their heels. The story is cohesive and written with a certain amount of zip to it.
I am no military expert so I have no reason or desire to punch holes in the author's use of various terms and equipment. Again, the story and its use of military armaments are smooth and seamless. We are provided with an action packed zombie thriller as two sets of people are racing against the clock, not even sure what they are racing towards will mean anything in the end, but they are determined to do whatever it takes to get there and try to spare humanity any more agony from this brutal virus, if at all possible.
Where I would be critical of this book is in more or less minor details that unveil themselves towards the end of the story and I hesitate to spell them out because I have no interest in revealing plot points. Suffice it to say that there were two key things that happen that I did not feel were specifically needed to advance the story. One scene simply felt redundant, an echo of a scene from the first book in the trilogy having to do with one on one combat...almost laying the groundwork for a very similar scene in book three. The other issue I have lies within the epilogue and what I would deem an incredibly convenient story element revealed that will play a huge part in the final installment of this trilogy. I suppose I am just not a fan of something that the odds of happening are one in a billion revealing themselves so conveniently. Please understand, these are really minor issues for me and as such do not want them to be considered deterents for anyone interested in picking up this story.
The writing is fast paced, the characters are entertaining, and the story is fun. Perhaps some of the characterizations are a bit exagerated, but when you are dealing with an end of the world type plague, I can certainly understand how some folks would seem a bit over the top. I found myself growing attached to quite a few of the characters and really look forward to finding out what happens in the final chapter of the Morningstar Trilogy. This was a genuinely fun and exhilerating zombie romp.
I could have given this story a full five stars, it does rate that based on the action in the story. General Sherman's march was far more interesting to me, especially his pit stop in a little town in Kansas, than the more brief excerpts from Anna and Mason's more silent trek, but their stories tie together nicely, with plague victims, raiders, and rogue government agents all nipping at their heels. The story is cohesive and written with a certain amount of zip to it.
I am no military expert so I have no reason or desire to punch holes in the author's use of various terms and equipment. Again, the story and its use of military armaments are smooth and seamless. We are provided with an action packed zombie thriller as two sets of people are racing against the clock, not even sure what they are racing towards will mean anything in the end, but they are determined to do whatever it takes to get there and try to spare humanity any more agony from this brutal virus, if at all possible.
Where I would be critical of this book is in more or less minor details that unveil themselves towards the end of the story and I hesitate to spell them out because I have no interest in revealing plot points. Suffice it to say that there were two key things that happen that I did not feel were specifically needed to advance the story. One scene simply felt redundant, an echo of a scene from the first book in the trilogy having to do with one on one combat...almost laying the groundwork for a very similar scene in book three. The other issue I have lies within the epilogue and what I would deem an incredibly convenient story element revealed that will play a huge part in the final installment of this trilogy. I suppose I am just not a fan of something that the odds of happening are one in a billion revealing themselves so conveniently. Please understand, these are really minor issues for me and as such do not want them to be considered deterents for anyone interested in picking up this story.
The writing is fast paced, the characters are entertaining, and the story is fun. Perhaps some of the characterizations are a bit exagerated, but when you are dealing with an end of the world type plague, I can certainly understand how some folks would seem a bit over the top. I found myself growing attached to quite a few of the characters and really look forward to finding out what happens in the final chapter of the Morningstar Trilogy. This was a genuinely fun and exhilerating zombie romp.
May 23, 2017
4.5 stars - These are some of my favorite zombie books! Even though there are military characters, it isn't all military action. There are some normal folks who can kick some butt. It is exciting, a few groups are all making their way to the same spot, bad humans as well as zombies get in the way. I care about many of the characters (there are quite a few, so some are fairly flat) and I cannot wait until I get my hands on the next one. Great stuff.
May 21, 2021
I enjoyed this book more than the first one. The fight scenes went on longer than I cared for, otherwise the story moved quickly and smoothly. I also liked the originality of the virus!
November 27, 2010
Three bands of survivors, all working their way to the same place - a research facility in Omaha, Nebraska where a vaccine for the Morningstar virus can possibly be developed.
The first group are former soldiers from the U.S.S. Ramage: Krueger, Keaton, Thomas, Wilson, Brewster and former General Sherman. Also with them are Mbutu, Ron, Katie, Rebecca (a nurse), Jack and Mitsui (both former general contractors with the latter speaking Japanese only), and Denton, a photographer.
The second group consists of Anna Demilio, a doctor from USAMRIID, who may prove to be the key to uncovering a vaccine for Morningstar, Julie Ortiz, the anchorwoman who Anna leaked the story to in hopes of containing the virus before it became a pandemic, and Gregory Mason, formerly of the NSA, all wanted for murder and treason by the U.S. Army. Mason helped Julie and Anna escape when they were being held captive by his former peers. They are joined on their journey by Trev, a former mental patient with exceedingly clear mental facilities, and HIS companions, Matt and Junko, former students.
The third group enters the trek much later in the book. These are the remaining sailors from the USS Ramage, joined by a civilian named Hal who had been given the boot from his retirement island in the Pacific by the natives when he insisted that the inhabitants should extend hospitality to the crew of the Ramage. Having found no safe port, with dwindling food and fuel supplies, and with the U.S. military apparently scattered into the wind, they decide to meet up with Sherman, their former general.
This is the second in the Morningstar trilogy, and, thankfully, you did not have to read the first to become immersed in it's sequel.
Thankfully, for the more squeamish, there is not a lot of gore (although people and zombies DO die along the way).
Very well-written, and not just about the zombies, there is a good story in these pages, with characters you'll come to care about, good dialogue, and plenty of action. Surprisingly, most of the danger in this book comes not from the sprinters (living people who were infected by the virus and "turned") or the shamblers (people infected by the virus who subsequently died and were reborn as zombies), but from the uninfected. There are bandits, and raiders, and a rogue faction of the U.S. military that our survivors have to deal with along the way.
This is enough to make me want to go back and purchase the first in the series, "Plague of the Dead".
QUOTES:
"Right," Krueger said, scoffing. "When was the last time we met someone new who didn't try to eat us, huh?"
Beneath the truck, Brewster grimaced and rolled his eyes. "Leave it to Krueger to go all primadonna in the middle of a firefight."
"What I'm saying is that most of the smart people are dead and you're still alive. Whether or not you have a degree, that makes you one of the world's best engineers," Anna said, nodding once and tapping the screen of her PDA to bring up another page of data. "Just a matter of the process of elimination."
Julie, still leaning back with her eyes closed, shrugged at the thought. "Never did think of it like that. I guess that makes me prime material for this year's Pulitzer Prize for broadcast journalism."
Book Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
On researching the author and the book, I found that Z. A. Recht died last year at the tender age of 26, At the time of his death, he was working on the third and final installment of the series, "Survivors", which was going through edits. It is being completed by a ghostwriter, although I was not able to locate a release date.
The first group are former soldiers from the U.S.S. Ramage: Krueger, Keaton, Thomas, Wilson, Brewster and former General Sherman. Also with them are Mbutu, Ron, Katie, Rebecca (a nurse), Jack and Mitsui (both former general contractors with the latter speaking Japanese only), and Denton, a photographer.
The second group consists of Anna Demilio, a doctor from USAMRIID, who may prove to be the key to uncovering a vaccine for Morningstar, Julie Ortiz, the anchorwoman who Anna leaked the story to in hopes of containing the virus before it became a pandemic, and Gregory Mason, formerly of the NSA, all wanted for murder and treason by the U.S. Army. Mason helped Julie and Anna escape when they were being held captive by his former peers. They are joined on their journey by Trev, a former mental patient with exceedingly clear mental facilities, and HIS companions, Matt and Junko, former students.
The third group enters the trek much later in the book. These are the remaining sailors from the USS Ramage, joined by a civilian named Hal who had been given the boot from his retirement island in the Pacific by the natives when he insisted that the inhabitants should extend hospitality to the crew of the Ramage. Having found no safe port, with dwindling food and fuel supplies, and with the U.S. military apparently scattered into the wind, they decide to meet up with Sherman, their former general.
This is the second in the Morningstar trilogy, and, thankfully, you did not have to read the first to become immersed in it's sequel.
Thankfully, for the more squeamish, there is not a lot of gore (although people and zombies DO die along the way).
Very well-written, and not just about the zombies, there is a good story in these pages, with characters you'll come to care about, good dialogue, and plenty of action. Surprisingly, most of the danger in this book comes not from the sprinters (living people who were infected by the virus and "turned") or the shamblers (people infected by the virus who subsequently died and were reborn as zombies), but from the uninfected. There are bandits, and raiders, and a rogue faction of the U.S. military that our survivors have to deal with along the way.
This is enough to make me want to go back and purchase the first in the series, "Plague of the Dead".
QUOTES:
"Right," Krueger said, scoffing. "When was the last time we met someone new who didn't try to eat us, huh?"
Beneath the truck, Brewster grimaced and rolled his eyes. "Leave it to Krueger to go all primadonna in the middle of a firefight."
"What I'm saying is that most of the smart people are dead and you're still alive. Whether or not you have a degree, that makes you one of the world's best engineers," Anna said, nodding once and tapping the screen of her PDA to bring up another page of data. "Just a matter of the process of elimination."
Julie, still leaning back with her eyes closed, shrugged at the thought. "Never did think of it like that. I guess that makes me prime material for this year's Pulitzer Prize for broadcast journalism."
Book Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
On researching the author and the book, I found that Z. A. Recht died last year at the tender age of 26, At the time of his death, he was working on the third and final installment of the series, "Survivors", which was going through edits. It is being completed by a ghostwriter, although I was not able to locate a release date.
July 20, 2013
I'm always a little wary of the second book in a trilogy, but reading Thunder and Ashes was a bit different than normal. Although The Morningstar Strain is a trilogy, this is the last book in the series fully written by Z.A. Recht (the third one is partly ghost-written) and I've read it several years ago, so I was pretty much aware of what I was getting myself into.
The first book in the series, Plague of the Dead, is very much about establishing the characters, the virology and the collapse of the world in the wake of a zombie apocalypse. Thunder and Ashes focuses more on just a few particular events, and how the remnants of the human race are faring as they try and survive. There are goodies, baddies and several characters that cross the line between one 'side' and the other, but it does lack further character development.
One thing that I did find very frustrating was that in the last book characters made mistakes because of emotional reactions which was realistic, however in Thunder and Ashes they made stupid mistakes that I couldn't understand - going into a town that obviously has seen some bad shit go down just to 'check it out' isn't something I would expect from a group of highly trained military.
In Thunder and Ashes, some of the characters that appear to be key characters in the first book start to fall into the background which is a shame, but the others start to really establish themselves as leaders, fighters and hardcore survivors. There is a continuation of the focus on the military and the search for a cure, with both plot lines crossing into each other constantly.
Like Plague of the Dead, there are a lot of action scenes, and all of them exceedingly well-written with some heart-stopping moments as things hang in the balance, daring rescues take place and the defence of pockets of survivors take top priority. Although there are action scenes in the first book, in this one the stakes feel infinitely higher and more personal, which I really enjoyed.
As a 'middle' book, it's not a bad book, but there were some disappointments for me in the character development, and although the pace is frenetic it didn't really feel like events were particularly moving forward. However, this is definitely a book for post-apocalyptic and zombie fans and a good continuation of the series.
Read more of my reviews atThe Aussie Zombie
The first book in the series, Plague of the Dead, is very much about establishing the characters, the virology and the collapse of the world in the wake of a zombie apocalypse. Thunder and Ashes focuses more on just a few particular events, and how the remnants of the human race are faring as they try and survive. There are goodies, baddies and several characters that cross the line between one 'side' and the other, but it does lack further character development.
One thing that I did find very frustrating was that in the last book characters made mistakes because of emotional reactions which was realistic, however in Thunder and Ashes they made stupid mistakes that I couldn't understand - going into a town that obviously has seen some bad shit go down just to 'check it out' isn't something I would expect from a group of highly trained military.
In Thunder and Ashes, some of the characters that appear to be key characters in the first book start to fall into the background which is a shame, but the others start to really establish themselves as leaders, fighters and hardcore survivors. There is a continuation of the focus on the military and the search for a cure, with both plot lines crossing into each other constantly.
Like Plague of the Dead, there are a lot of action scenes, and all of them exceedingly well-written with some heart-stopping moments as things hang in the balance, daring rescues take place and the defence of pockets of survivors take top priority. Although there are action scenes in the first book, in this one the stakes feel infinitely higher and more personal, which I really enjoyed.
As a 'middle' book, it's not a bad book, but there were some disappointments for me in the character development, and although the pace is frenetic it didn't really feel like events were particularly moving forward. However, this is definitely a book for post-apocalyptic and zombie fans and a good continuation of the series.
Read more of my reviews atThe Aussie Zombie
September 3, 2016
In Thunder and Ashes, the second book in Z. A. Recht's The Morningstar Strain, readers pick up with the survivors three months later. The Morningstar Strain has swept the globe, and the survivors find themselves divided, but trying to find their way towards each other in an effort to create a vaccine. As Dr. Demilio and her group flee from rogue NSA agents to a research facility in Omaha, General Sherman and his compatriots trek from the west coast towards the good doctor. Along the way, the soldiers must fight their way through Shamblers looking for their next meal.
I found Thunder and Ashes to be even more riveting, because the danger seemed more intense. As the survivors transversed across the United States, every corner seemed to lurk danger. Like the first novel, Recht doesn't shy away from killing off main characters, which upped the stakes. Also, I found myself more invested in the characters now that I've gotten to know them more, and have certain ones I hated to see go. Unlike many books in this genre I read, I find I really like all of the characters and root for their survival.
As I head into the third and final novel, Survivors, I'm worried about the fate of the characters, and wonder if it's even possible for them to be victorious. Z. A. Recht's The Morningstar Strain series is a well-written horror series, packed full of action, with complex characters. Even if you aren't a fan of zombie stories, I still think this series is worth a look, at it really showcases human nature. Besides, I've been on a military novel streak this past year, and this series fits fight in. A great war story, a great suspenseful thriller, and a great story about people. I'm going to be sad to see it end :(This review was originally posted on I Was Angelized_1st
I found Thunder and Ashes to be even more riveting, because the danger seemed more intense. As the survivors transversed across the United States, every corner seemed to lurk danger. Like the first novel, Recht doesn't shy away from killing off main characters, which upped the stakes. Also, I found myself more invested in the characters now that I've gotten to know them more, and have certain ones I hated to see go. Unlike many books in this genre I read, I find I really like all of the characters and root for their survival.
As I head into the third and final novel, Survivors, I'm worried about the fate of the characters, and wonder if it's even possible for them to be victorious. Z. A. Recht's The Morningstar Strain series is a well-written horror series, packed full of action, with complex characters. Even if you aren't a fan of zombie stories, I still think this series is worth a look, at it really showcases human nature. Besides, I've been on a military novel streak this past year, and this series fits fight in. A great war story, a great suspenseful thriller, and a great story about people. I'm going to be sad to see it end :(This review was originally posted on I Was Angelized_1st
August 25, 2012
I really enjoyed Plague of the Dead. While not particularly original, Recht demonstrated a genuine talent for action and suspense, and created a vivid zombie scorched earth that made his characters' fear seem real.
Unfortunately I didn't feel the same about Thunder and Ashes. Firstly, Recht's prose came across like a fan-boy describing his Call-of-Duty gameplay. Where Plague had skilful plainspeak, Thunder and Ashes, came across as an early draft of a good manuscript with lots of lazy 'tell' exposition and phrases like 'sniping away'to describe gun battle, which gave the book a silly tone which didn't match the setting.
I guess Thunder and Ash does suffer from middle book sag, a difficult trend to avoid given that the book is not only a sequel but a second book in a trilogy, thus needing to save some epic-ness for number three. Nonetheless I found the characters and plot fell unacceptably flat. Recht relies on us remembering who everyone is, some would say this is OK in a sequel, but I argue that sequel characters still need to 'show' their character throughout the story even if they have already been introduced.
while there is a small amount of character development, for the most part I found it difficult to tell the difference between the 'slightly bad-ass soldier types' populating this novel and even more difficult to care too much about their fate.
The storyline feels like a few challenges were thrown at the characters but nothing nearly as epic at the first novel, and - I hope - what is to come in number three.
Don't get me wrong, there are still epic and tense battles, but like the Matrix sequels without being surrounded by a strong plot and characters exciting action couldn't bring this novel above 2 stars for me
Unfortunately I didn't feel the same about Thunder and Ashes. Firstly, Recht's prose came across like a fan-boy describing his Call-of-Duty gameplay. Where Plague had skilful plainspeak, Thunder and Ashes, came across as an early draft of a good manuscript with lots of lazy 'tell' exposition and phrases like 'sniping away'to describe gun battle, which gave the book a silly tone which didn't match the setting.
I guess Thunder and Ash does suffer from middle book sag, a difficult trend to avoid given that the book is not only a sequel but a second book in a trilogy, thus needing to save some epic-ness for number three. Nonetheless I found the characters and plot fell unacceptably flat. Recht relies on us remembering who everyone is, some would say this is OK in a sequel, but I argue that sequel characters still need to 'show' their character throughout the story even if they have already been introduced.
while there is a small amount of character development, for the most part I found it difficult to tell the difference between the 'slightly bad-ass soldier types' populating this novel and even more difficult to care too much about their fate.
The storyline feels like a few challenges were thrown at the characters but nothing nearly as epic at the first novel, and - I hope - what is to come in number three.
Don't get me wrong, there are still epic and tense battles, but like the Matrix sequels without being surrounded by a strong plot and characters exciting action couldn't bring this novel above 2 stars for me
January 10, 2011
Well as i Reviewed the First book "Plague of the Dead" i felt like that book was lacking and it didn't keep my interest as i thought it might..but i read the second one anyway; "Thunder and ashes". I have to say i definitely enjoyed this book much better than the first i thought that the first book was a lot of explaining and people fighting other people and little Z action, However the second book has a really great mix of both People and Zombie action. I enjoyed how they ran into other people and sometimes they were friendly and sometimes they weren't. and i also liked how the setting was changing because they were on the road compared to the first one where the first few chapters they were on a boat ( like so many other zombie novels)I also enjoyed that it switched from dimallio's story line to sherman's. HOWEVER, there is a little third story line that the author adds in at the very end of the book, which i didn't understand why he did that all, it was frusting because 3/4 the way through the book he added another group of people on the way to Omaha and i was like WTF, Who the f are they and why should i care!! but then your questions are answered in the epilogue...which i think he should have done the whole little extra thing in the epilogue.
October 12, 2012
This book is the sequel to the first book I did. The story follows the same idea of shadowing the different groups trying to survive. The main objective both groups is to get to Omaha, Nebraska, to find a cure for the ravid virus. Each group going through life threatning issues. At the end of the book the groups finally meet up, but the book quickly ends. The suspenseful ending leaves you hanging for the last final book in the seris.
I gave this book five stars because I love it. It has a story, characters, and suspense. Also it has cool action parts. This seris of books are the only books I have basically ever read, and thank god the last book finally came out.
"if you're immune to the morningstar strain, that means your blood is a key to a vaccine,"(Recht 296) Quoted from the end of the book the author leaves you in shock that the book dosen't continue. This person is on the west coast of the US, big impact for the two books.
The book is very humorous at times. It uses plenty of irony and hyperboles.
I recommend this book to people who want action and suspense in their book. Liking zombie related books helps too.
I gave this book five stars because I love it. It has a story, characters, and suspense. Also it has cool action parts. This seris of books are the only books I have basically ever read, and thank god the last book finally came out.
"if you're immune to the morningstar strain, that means your blood is a key to a vaccine,"(Recht 296) Quoted from the end of the book the author leaves you in shock that the book dosen't continue. This person is on the west coast of the US, big impact for the two books.
The book is very humorous at times. It uses plenty of irony and hyperboles.
I recommend this book to people who want action and suspense in their book. Liking zombie related books helps too.
December 6, 2010
It was so good, that I read it in a day, but kept procrastinating to put this book on Goodreads... I really loved the first book of the series, because it involved two things that are very action packed: the army and zombies. I actually had a date planned out on my calender for when the next book would be released and I went to a bookstore, ran right to the shelf where it was and checked out. This book did not let me down. It had three different stories going on at the same time and each story was not confusing at all. I really love how there were two different groups of people on either coast of the united states and they both meet up in Nebraska in perfect timing. Each chapter was packed full of action with guns, zombies, losses and triumphs. The book also seems to have a slight resemblance to 28 days later...
March 23, 2009
Thunder and Ashes is a good zombie novel. Set several months after the outbreak of the Morningstar Virus and the first novel Plague of the Dead, Thunder and Ashes follows several groups of survivors as they make their way to Omaha where they expect to find a research facility. On the way they encounter the infected "sprinters" (crazed cannibals like in 28 Days Later), and "shamblers" (the undead version of the aforementioned sprinters), and the bandits that would predictably flourish in such a post-apocalyptic Hobbesian world.
There is really no pretentious social commentary or protracted metaphors here - there's just a lot of survival action, suspense, and bullets through zombie foreheads. A couple parts were even pretty scary. I read it in a day and that's somethin'.
There is really no pretentious social commentary or protracted metaphors here - there's just a lot of survival action, suspense, and bullets through zombie foreheads. A couple parts were even pretty scary. I read it in a day and that's somethin'.
September 19, 2013
I read this book over the summer. It is the second book in the Morningstar Strain series. It involves General Sherman's group traveling to Omaha, Nebraska. In this book, the group encounters raiders, other survivors and more zombies then the first book. The second group in the book is Ex-CIA Agent Mason's group, with 3 survivors, a doctor and a news reporter. They plan to meet up in Omaha, and eventually they do.
I really enjoyed this book. I feel it was the best one so far, Recht did a great job on this book. The best parts I think were when they were in Kansas, fighting the raiders. And at the end of the book, when they fought the remaining CIA in the finale battle. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy zombie novels, and people who like lots of non-stop action.
April 16, 2010
The quality did not degrade for this sequel to Plague of the Dead. Recht continued to focus on the strong points from his first book; the challenges of survival and getting around after the zombie apocalypse. This novel also includes a pitched battle between raiders and a settlement of survivors. Bonus points for "Shaun of the Dead" and a few other pop/geek culture references. The ending was definitely set up for a third book and I am very hopeful that Permuted Press and Recht's friends can manage to complete his work.
October 17, 2022
3.5 zombie bites
Not a bad 2nd installment. Our groups are all attempting to converge on the Omaha office to begin the work to find a cure... yeah, right. Didn't they watch the walking dead??
Anywho, our survivors are not under threat from zombies, so much as other humans. With a breakdown in society and government, each is out for their own. Things come to a bloody end, just how I like it.
Not too bad. Not as good as the Autumn series; but entertaining and a nice curveball with "runners"... (this is known)
Not a bad 2nd installment. Our groups are all attempting to converge on the Omaha office to begin the work to find a cure... yeah, right. Didn't they watch the walking dead??
Anywho, our survivors are not under threat from zombies, so much as other humans. With a breakdown in society and government, each is out for their own. Things come to a bloody end, just how I like it.
Not too bad. Not as good as the Autumn series; but entertaining and a nice curveball with "runners"... (this is known)
August 16, 2012
such a horrible novel - the story concept is fine, but the characters feel very one dimensional and everything that happens is predictable. Not to mention that the editing sucks - time isn't consistent. What has only been a few weeks is consistently and repeatedly referred to throughout the book as "a few months". Very annoying. Save your energy and read another zombie novel.
November 25, 2010
I love a good zombie read! I was on the edge of my seat throughout most of this book and I couldn't help but hope for a cure. If you're a fan of Dawn of the Dead or other horror movies, you'll enjoy Thunder & Ashes. I give it four stars.
June 6, 2014
Meh. Great as an audiobook to listen to while doing other things. I only paid attention about half the time and that was plenty.
February 14, 2015
The second book in the Morning Star series and it was action packed zombie goodness.
August 17, 2017
5/5 in zombie-books category.
I'm quite sad to see this book getting poor reviews, due to its theme or way it was written. I mean, if you don't like zombies, just don't read it.
However, as a true zombie enthusiast I have to say that this book is a true masterpiece. It a true example of what a zombie book should be WITHOUT UNNECESSARY details like:
a) shitty (and usually teenage) love stories
b) stereotypical "I used to suck at life but now my gaming time has paid off" characters
So, why has this book earned 5 stars?
a) IT'S REALISTIC - it follows a group of people, mostly what remains from US Army, so it's believable that they actually score headshots and are able to walk as much as they do or that they have specific knowledge. Also, there is no endless ammo.
b) THE VIRUS THING IS EXPLAINED - this is what is usually lacking in most zombie books, no one tells you anything about the virus. However, here you have explained how it happened, why, the research thingies and an idea to make a vaccine. Also, it's important to mention that virus is explained quite realistically, one can notice that the author had read something about virology.
c) IT FOCUSES ON THE IMPORTANT THINGS - like staying alive, looting and some "big picture" plans like finding a vaccine. Other zombie novels often revolve too much around unimportant things like love or finding some lost third cousin that you probably seen once instead of just trying to survive. The relations between characters are just briefly described.
d) CHARACTERS ARE NOT RETARDED - of course, until you are completely sure about how the virus is passed on, you are going to do some stupid things, but once the characters have realized how one gets infected they stopped being retarded. Also, a lot of people shot themselves when they realized they are going to get infected, when they suspected that someone was infected - they quarantined them and so on. Also, once they realized its the headshots that do the job - they shot them there, simple.
e) FAST AND SLOW ZOMBIES - perfectly explained and there are both types in the book with a realistic explanation as well.
f) GORE - perfect amount of gore, there are few scenes, but not a lot. Because author realized that he is not writing a Rob Zombie fan-fiction, but a normal book.
To conclude, if one has read the previous book in the serial Plague of the Dead, one would notice how much has the author perfected his style. The descriptions are not as brief as in the first book, there is less military speech and so on.
P.S. BOOK CAN BE READ WITHOUT READING THE #1 IN THE SERIAL, BECAUSE AUTHOR EXPLAINS THE IMPORTANT EVENTS FROM THE PREVIOUS BOOK IN THIS ONE, IF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THOSE EVENTS IS IMPORTANT FOR THE NEW ONES.
I'm quite sad to see this book getting poor reviews, due to its theme or way it was written. I mean, if you don't like zombies, just don't read it.
However, as a true zombie enthusiast I have to say that this book is a true masterpiece. It a true example of what a zombie book should be WITHOUT UNNECESSARY details like:
a) shitty (and usually teenage) love stories
b) stereotypical "I used to suck at life but now my gaming time has paid off" characters
So, why has this book earned 5 stars?
a) IT'S REALISTIC - it follows a group of people, mostly what remains from US Army, so it's believable that they actually score headshots and are able to walk as much as they do or that they have specific knowledge. Also, there is no endless ammo.
b) THE VIRUS THING IS EXPLAINED - this is what is usually lacking in most zombie books, no one tells you anything about the virus. However, here you have explained how it happened, why, the research thingies and an idea to make a vaccine. Also, it's important to mention that virus is explained quite realistically, one can notice that the author had read something about virology.
c) IT FOCUSES ON THE IMPORTANT THINGS - like staying alive, looting and some "big picture" plans like finding a vaccine. Other zombie novels often revolve too much around unimportant things like love or finding some lost third cousin that you probably seen once instead of just trying to survive. The relations between characters are just briefly described.
d) CHARACTERS ARE NOT RETARDED - of course, until you are completely sure about how the virus is passed on, you are going to do some stupid things, but once the characters have realized how one gets infected they stopped being retarded. Also, a lot of people shot themselves when they realized they are going to get infected, when they suspected that someone was infected - they quarantined them and so on. Also, once they realized its the headshots that do the job - they shot them there, simple.
e) FAST AND SLOW ZOMBIES - perfectly explained and there are both types in the book with a realistic explanation as well.
f) GORE - perfect amount of gore, there are few scenes, but not a lot. Because author realized that he is not writing a Rob Zombie fan-fiction, but a normal book.
To conclude, if one has read the previous book in the serial Plague of the Dead, one would notice how much has the author perfected his style. The descriptions are not as brief as in the first book, there is less military speech and so on.
P.S. BOOK CAN BE READ WITHOUT READING THE #1 IN THE SERIAL, BECAUSE AUTHOR EXPLAINS THE IMPORTANT EVENTS FROM THE PREVIOUS BOOK IN THIS ONE, IF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THOSE EVENTS IS IMPORTANT FOR THE NEW ONES.
February 6, 2021
4* for the last 50 pages or so and 3* for the rest of the book
Well, really wanted to give 4* to this book but the end was too little too late and for most of the time it fell into the regular post apocalyptic world tales, humans vs humans. Chapter's given to Anna felt more fresh than Chapter's given to Sherman and group.
The Epilogue was something to cheer about in this zombie apocalypse.
****************POSSIBLE SPOILER AHEAD******************
When Jose asked Sherman to take out the bandits, Keaton was also there, but the possibility of bandits avenging their dead is totally an afterthought (a few pages are given to this which I think were not required). Sherman and Keaton should have given it more think-time before deciding to go on with the plan.
*******************************************************
Anyway, the last 50 pages picked up the pace and ended with a hope for the survivors. I was thinking to give a miss to the 3rd book in the series but after the way the second one ended, would pick up the third soon.
Well, really wanted to give 4* to this book but the end was too little too late and for most of the time it fell into the regular post apocalyptic world tales, humans vs humans. Chapter's given to Anna felt more fresh than Chapter's given to Sherman and group.
The Epilogue was something to cheer about in this zombie apocalypse.
****************POSSIBLE SPOILER AHEAD******************
When Jose asked Sherman to take out the bandits, Keaton was also there, but the possibility of bandits avenging their dead is totally an afterthought (a few pages are given to this which I think were not required). Sherman and Keaton should have given it more think-time before deciding to go on with the plan.
*******************************************************
Anyway, the last 50 pages picked up the pace and ended with a hope for the survivors. I was thinking to give a miss to the 3rd book in the series but after the way the second one ended, would pick up the third soon.
January 1, 2021
A great continuation of a really cool series. Better than the first. More tension between survivors instead of just from the zombies. A lot more action.
Reminded me of the war between Rick and Neagan on TWD.
A little sexist. The men are all gun ho, kick ass, super soilders; while the women are more subdued, at some points literally in distress and needing saving.
I did like how some side characters from the first one were brought back in a larger roll. And there is a pretty cool twist at the end that I didn't see coming.
Overall, a step up from the first installment. At this rate, the third book in the series will be amazing! Fingers crossed!
Reminded me of the war between Rick and Neagan on TWD.
A little sexist. The men are all gun ho, kick ass, super soilders; while the women are more subdued, at some points literally in distress and needing saving.
I did like how some side characters from the first one were brought back in a larger roll. And there is a pretty cool twist at the end that I didn't see coming.
Overall, a step up from the first installment. At this rate, the third book in the series will be amazing! Fingers crossed!
November 13, 2017
What a fantastic idea. Exactly how zombies should work. What a terrible set of characters and an awful story line. The stupidity of every character in this series of books is mind boggling. Recht needed a couple of friends and a good editor to read this book to deal with all the story holes and idiotic decisions. I'd give it 1 star but the strength of the zombie mechanics was so, that it got me through the whole trilogy. This book will stay with me for a long time, unfortunately.
This is one of those books where the film would outshine the book.
This is one of those books where the film would outshine the book.
February 13, 2021
Der zweite Teil hat mir besser gefallen als der erste, denn er ist abwechslungsreicher und auch nicht so deprimierend wie der erste. Nicht nur die Abwehr der Zombies steht im Mittelpunkt, sondern der Kampf gegen Nicht-Infizierte, die sich der Gruppe in den Weg stellen. Die Geschichte ist kurzweilig erzählt. In Abraham lernt der Leser weitere interessante Figuren kennen, die Insel der Zivilisation ist eine echte Erholung auch für den Leser. Kein typischer Mittelteil einer Trilogie, sondern eine gelungene Weiterführung der Handlung und eine Vertiefung des Bilds von einer apokalyptischen Welt.
November 11, 2018
Jumping 3 months forward we find our west and east coast groups surviving and heading towards each other through pockets of infection and calm areas. along the way our survivors continue to help where needed.
I enjoyed this because, whilst the zombies were there, they weren’t in your face scary. Tension was built well in areas whilst the characters and main events kept you wanting to read. Just remember: dont get too attached anyone could fall at any time!
I enjoyed this because, whilst the zombies were there, they weren’t in your face scary. Tension was built well in areas whilst the characters and main events kept you wanting to read. Just remember: dont get too attached anyone could fall at any time!
October 2, 2022
I read this straight after the first one not because I couldnt put them down but because I wanted to get the series out of the way. The first book introduced us to all of the main characters and this book mainly just moved their location around. I think the plot actually got stupider in the 2nd book and there were a few times I was tempted to give up altogether. There is also very little in the way of tension and I didnt really care about any of the characters.
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