Audible Book Review: Zombie Fallout: Zero by Mark Tufo

I liked this military based addition explaining the beginning of the Zombie Fallout. Zombie Fallout: Zero
By: Mark Tufo
Narrated by: Sean Runnette

Series: Zombie Fallout, Book 0.5
Length 2h 44m
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Dystopian Sci Fi, Horror, Zombie
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
#Fraterfest

Publisher's Summary
In this audio-exclusive prequel - a must-hear for die-hard Zombie Fallout fans and newcomers alike - listeners are brought back to the days before outbreak; to the origins of a virus capable of raising the dead, its patient zero, and the events that set in motion the destruction of the human race.
Those who would seek a new world order have unleashed the most devastating virus onto mankind, and even they do not know the secrets hidden in their weapon. Follow along as Harry, a CDC scientist, races to figure out what exactly the virus is and how to stop it. It will be up to him and a group of marines led by Major Sanders to stop the zombie fallout before it ravages an unsuspecting world.
©2016 Mark Tufo (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Review:
A strange mob has overrun the police in New York. As Harry, a CDC scientist, studies the films he notes alarming behavior because the mob appear not to die even when shot or disembodied. Harry digs deep into the scientific genome of the virus that has turned these humans into beasts. He reports to his co-worker that the virus has been modified to allow a quick and harmful infection. They don’t realize how serious the infection is until they watch a test subject, Patient Zero, who is believed to be dead. The man comes alive, with inhuman strength and hunger, to attack the guards in his holding cell. The CDC scientists try to warn the government but soon learn that their warnings are being thwarted by nefarious forces who have actually planned the spread of the evil virus.

Major Sanders is in the field for the last two days of training of his new marines when his superior orders him to return to base so that the base can meet vaccination levels. Sanders ignores the order and is then called back by an even higher superior the next morning. Sanders and his new recruits return to learn that they are facing a new enemy.

I listened to book 1 which tells the story of a Michael Talbot and his family fighting in their gated community. It was okay but didn’t pull me into the series. I did like this novella that explains how the virus started and who was Patient Zero. I particularly enjoyed the military involvement fighting the early waves of infected. If the rest of the series included Harry and Sanders I would be more interested in listening. I recommend this to fans of the zombie genre.

Audio Notes: Sean Runnette is the narrator for this series and he does a good job. He portrays the characters with distinct voices and captures their personalities. I am glad I had this as a plus catalog free story to listen too as part of my 2020 October #Fraterfest.

Source: 2020 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2020Audiobook. Alphabet and #Fraterfest goals.

Audio Book Review: The Book of Riley: A Zombie Tale by Mark Tufo

This is a zombie tale with a dog hero.
The Book of Riley: A Zombie Tale
Written By: Mark Tufo
Narrated By: Sean Runnette

Duration: 2 hours 58 minutes
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genres: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
#Fraterfest

Summary:
When the zombie apocalypse strikes without warning one dog will hold the fate of her pack in her paws. This is the story of Riley, an American bulldog. Follow along as she tries to keep her pack safe from a zombie apocalypse. Traveling with her are Ben-Ben the high strung Yorkie, her favorite two-legger Jessie, Jessie's younger brother Zachary, and Riley's arch enemy Patches the cat. They are a rag-tag group of survivors, who, when pushed to the limit, realize that they are all each other has.

Review:
Riley is a loving dog who wants to protect her human pack. She stands with the human alpha and is surprised to get help from the pip-squeak Yorkie, Ben-Ben. Of course, (according to Riley), the cowardly and obnoxious cat, Patches, hid in the bathroom with the rest of the human pack. When some of her human pack fall, Riley is forced to save the teen daughter, Jessie, and the baby child, Zachery. Riley is joined in the journey to safety by Ben-Ben and Patches who turns out to have some wisdom and cleverness – even if she remains a great annoyance.

I enjoyed the dog’s view which is filled with humor, base thoughts (food, smells and elimination process) and rivalry with the cat. I am fairly sure this is a spin off from the Zombie Fallout series. I had listened to Book 1 of the primary series in 2018 and have a prequel, Zombie Fallout: Zero, ready to go this week as a “Z” title. I think I liked the dog book more but I wouldn’t want a steady diet of this. I recommend the Riley books as quick reads/listens for those you enjoy zombie battles with pets, and humor.

Audio Notes:  It appears that Sean Runnette is the narrator for Mr. Tufo and he has adapted well to the characters, whether dogs, cats or military.

Source: 10/2020 Audiobooks.com Mystery Audiobook Club. This qualifies for 2020Audiobook goal and #Fraterfest.

Audible Review: Zombie Fallout, Book 1, by Mark Tufo

This seemed a fairly common zombie conflict.
Zombie Fallout
Zombie Fallout, Book 1
By: Mark Tufo
Narrated by: Sean Runnette

Series: Zombie Fallout, Book 1
Length: 10 hrs and 30 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 03-27-12
Language: English
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genre: Horror, Humor, Post-Apocalyptic
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
It was a flu season like no other. With the H1N1 virus running rampant throughout the country, people lined up in droves to try and attain one of the coveted vaccines. What was not known was the effect this largely untested, rushed to market, inoculation was to have on the unsuspecting throngs. Within days, feverish folk throughout the country convulsed, collapsed, and died, only to be reborn. With a taste for brains, blood, and bodies, these modern-day zombies scoured the lands for their next meal. Overnight the country became a killing ground for the hordes of zombies that ravaged the land.
This is the story of Michael Talbot, his family, and his friends: a band of ordinary people trying to get by in extraordinary times. When disaster strikes, Mike, a self-proclaimed survivalist, does his best to ensure the safety and security of those he cares for. Book one of the Zombie Fallout Trilogy follows our lead character at his self-deprecating, sarcastic best. What he encounters along the way leads him down a long dark road, always skirting the edge of insanity.
Can he keep his family safe? Can he discover the secret behind Tommy's powers? Can he save anyone from the zombie queen? Encircled in a seemingly safe haven called Little Turtle, Mike and his family, together with the remnants of a tattered community, must fight against a relentless, ruthless, unstoppable force. This last bastion of civilization has made its final stand. God help them all.
©2010 Mark Tufo (P)2012 Tantor

Review:
Mike, a man in his mid-40s, is an ordinary man with his wife, Tracy, a daughter, Nicole, in college, 19-year-old Justin, 15-year-old Travis and an aging bull dog named Henry. Mike is a former Marine, but that didn’t prepare him for zombies. When the “flu” turns his neighbors into the walking dead, Mike and Travis head to Walmart to pick up Justin. In addition to Justin, they bring home overweight, affable Tommy. Tommy quickly becomes part of the family, saving them a time or two with an unexplained second sight. Nicole and her boyfriend make it home to make it one strong family group.

Mike was already a prepper, but the family begins to scavenge for supplies to aid in survival. They plan to hunker down with other survivors. in their subdivision of Little Turtle. There are some who cooperate, helping to build a defensive wall. Others don’t cooperate, and some are downright psychopaths. Still, the real enemies are the zombie hoards.

The story is written as journal entries, mostly by Mike but some by Tracy. The tale follows the family as they face the conflicts and risk their lives. There are otherworldly elements that add weirdness to the horror. There is a rather crude sense of humor with cliched phrases. This underlies plenty of death and foul language. I wasn’t gripped by the characters and found this to be a standard zombie conflict. I’m not planning on picking up the next books (unless I need a “Z” title). I recommend it to readers who like zombie stories.

Audio Notes: Sean Runnette does a fine job with the narration. It is all a bit slow at the beginning but soon enough he is portraying the characters through their distinct personalities and leaning into the humor. I preferred listening to this rather than reading.

Source: 2016 Audible Sale Purchase. This qualifies for 2018TBR, Audible and Alphabet Challenge.