Taking on the Dead by Annie Walls Series: The Famished Trilogy #1
Published by Independent Publishing on 9/20/12
Genres: Zombie Fiction
Format: eBook
Source: Author
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Life for Kansas was perfect until the day the world changed.
She has been hiding out for four years in solitude. It's the only way to survive. The only way not to draw the living dead. Helping a small group of people, she learns the new world might not be what she assumes. Venturing out of her refuge and comfort zone, she meets Rudy, who helps her find a greater purpose. She realizes that the world has moved on without her. Only it's not what she expects. Her knowledge of the living dead grows and only makes her more curious as humanity continues to hang on by a thread. While on her search for answers she finds comfort in new friendships and love, but her past seems as if it will haunt her forever.
Kansas takes it upon herself to help other survivors, which would be easy if the famished were the only obstacles.
In a trilogy plot thick with twists and turns, this adult dark fantasy is emotional as much as it is horrifyingly gripping.
Check out the awesome world-building guest post from the author + a giveaway!
Interest in Book
Zombies! Character-driven plot! End of days nightmarish world-building. Great heroine and smoldering, sexy romantic tension. And the author isn’t afraid to write gore. Wooooty woot!
World-Building
Oh, the world-building was just incredible! The setting is 4 years after the zombie apocalypse. The main character, Kansas, has been living on her own most of that time and has learned to take care of herself. When a group of survivors stumble upon her secluded home, she reluctantly welcomes them in. Kansas learns a lot about herself, the people of the new world and just how much has been going on outside her little bubble. When she ventures out to explore, she learns that zombies and humans have both evolved in some form or another.
The author was not afraid to write gore! Yahoo! This made me happy, but should be a warning for those of you who do not like blood and guts. There are also some pretty disturbing scenes involving humans and how they treat zombies in a settlement that Kansas stumbles upon. I think those scenes were more horrifying than any bashed-in brain or putrid zombie explosions. Some of the people in this new world are just as crazy as the zombies, in my opinion. Their humanity is teetering on the edge of a cliff throughout the entire book. And, of course, we get a nice dose of fanatical cult fun. Cult mentality is so fascinating to me!
Characters
Kansas is a great character. She has issues letting people in, due to being alone for so long and being wronged in the past. She has become a lean fighting machine from being secluded and relying on her own physical finesse for so long. She also has wicked long dreadlocks because she got sick of brushing her hair. I really loved this about her, because dread locks just look cool – on the right person, anyhow. She has moments of clarity and moments of utter despair, but one thing is for sure, she wants to survive and will mow down a cult, a zombie horde, or a few indecent assholes if they block her path.
Kansas meets Rudy along her journey. He saved her life out in the wild and they end up becoming close friends in a settlement that takes her in. Rudy’s quite the looker, if you ask any of the settlement’s hookers that want to go for a ride on the Rudymobile. Rudy and Kansas have a very interesting relationship throughout the book. They don’t always say what they feel and give mixed signals. They do, however, remain supportive, respectful and protective. Love blossoms under the surface but the dangerous, chaotic environment leads to missed opportunities. And yes, there is a love triangle and some nice sexy time. I don’t want to say more than that. It was not annoying, for me, but I am hoping and praying that Rudy comes out the winner. His smile won me over, not to mention most of his personality.
Lasting Impressions
This book is a fantastic start to a new zombie post-apocalyptic series. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, the wacky mentality of the settlement, the cult action, the zombie lore and the romantic tension. It delivered on all aspects of what makes a book entertaining for me.
© 2012 – 2013, Smash Attack Reads. All rights reserved.
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I will have to check this out: Gore—LOVE IT!
I also love that the zombies and people have evolved. I always want someone writing zombies evolving….
Yes – right off the bat, I was pleased with the gore love. lol
I REALLY need to read this one!!! A heroine named KANSAS?! Um… WIN!
You haven’t read it yet?!? o.O
I can’t wait to read this! You make me very excited to pick up a copy.
It’s a fantastic post-apocalyptic zombie book. I’m truly looking forward to the rest of the series!
This sounds so awesome!! I really wanted to be part of the tour, but my review books are drowning me and I didn’t have time to fit it in. I will have to get this book and read it sometime though. Great review!
Damn review books. Over it! lol
I truly enjoyed this book. I hope you love it!
Haha!! Right?! I have been only taking on a few, but I still have a lot to get through. 2013 is going to be much different. I am going to really cut back on review books and get through some of my books that I have been wanting to read.
Love this cover. There is something about a chick wielding a machete that gets me fired up. Wish I’d signed up for the tour ;(
Rudymobile…heehee
[...] Smash reviews Taking on the Dead by Annie Walls [...]
I really want to read this book and your review made me want it even more. awesome review.
[...] Annie Walls is back with more zombie awesome! I loved the first book in this series, Taking on the Dead. HUGE FAN of Kansas and Rudy, as well as the human settlement that has evolved into [...]