From the Bookshelf of Apocalypse Whenever…

Once Bitten, Twice Die (The Blood of the Infected #1)

Antony J. Stanton

Start date: November 28, 2015

Finish date: November 28, 2017

Discussion: Archive - Just for Fun

Discussion leader: Antony Stanton

Why we're reading this: I have literally JUST published it today, my very first book. So read it if you fancy reading a book that…more
[close] I have literally JUST published it today, my very first book. So read it if you fancy reading a book that nobody else on the planet has yet read, other than me, and the chap from the Evening Standard, who wrote a glowing review. Be the first...

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What Members Thought

Feb 18, 2016 Fiona Brichaut rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2016-reading-challenge

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Several aspects of this book were original, not least the fact that it has both zombies and vampires. The explanation of why people became zombies was new and comparatively plausible so the suspension of disbelief was easy enough (yes, I read a lot of zombie novels but I still like when the author provides a reason...). I liked the fact that this is a British, not American setting. However, what I usually like about British zo I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Several aspects of this book were original, not least the fact that it has both zombies and vampires. The explanation of why people became zombies was new and comparatively plausible so the suspension of disbelief was easy enough (yes, I read a lot of zombie novels but I still like when the author provides a reason...). I liked the fact that this is a British, not American setting. However, what I usually like about British zombie novels is that they assume that most people don't have guns, so it's not all about the weapons, like some US stories. Unfortunately, this takes place in a military setting, so there's a lot about the weapons. It loses half a star just for that (I Am NOT Into Guns).

I particularly liked that this book is reasonably well edited (that got its half star back), which came as a pleasant surprise. And it's reasonably well written (although more show, less tell wouldn't hurt), in a down-to-earth, realistic style.

So why only three stars? Well, I liked it but didn't love it. It's a bit flat in the telling and not much happens. There are a couple of good scenes, but I felt that the whole book was like a TV pilot rather than an episode. A lot of background, a lot of setting the scene, but not enough engaging action. Also, I had a hard time differentiating the characters, even down to remembering which were male and which female (using only surnames doesn't help). I didn't connect with anyone really, so didn't care much what happened to them.

And then there's the vampires. It seems that many of us are either zombie fans or vampire fans, but not both. I just don't get into vampires. I can't blame the author for that and neither should you, but if you're not already a vampire fan, this novel is unlikely to turn you. Yeah I get it that they can move fast, are strong and can climb high walls, but that just doesn't do anything for me. And so they didn't add anything to my appreciation of this story.

If you like the zombie/vampire thing, then you might like this. It's a new twist. It has potential. You might be curious to see how it plays out between the humans and the vampires as the world collapses around them. You might like the military angle.

But if you're looking for stories of ordinary people struggling to survive in an imploding world, lots of action and intense emotional highs and lows, this isn't where you'll find it.

I understand this might be made into a TV series, and if the producers can inject a bit more action and excitement into it, it may well have the makings of a good show. I hope so! ...more

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