Fringe Runner (Fringe Series #1) by Rachel Aukes Review

Hello readers and a very Happy Monday to you all! Ethan here with an exciting post for you all to kick off your week! I am so pumped to help one of my all-time favorites celebrate her newest release with the world. Launching today, this action-packed sci-fi series is sure to please fans cross-genres! What am I raving about? Fringe Runner, the first full-length novel in the Fringe series by Rachel Aukes! In addition to today being release day, I'm also sharing my review with you all. Before we get to that, here's a bit about the novel and our author:

The first novel in a new space adventure series!

After the colonization of Mars and Europa, it took us fewer than five generations to reach beyond our solar system and discover more planets capable of supporting human life. Too far away to be governed under Earth law, the Collective was formed. Several hundred years later, the Collective has expanded to a thriving system of six inhabited worlds.

Old captain Aramis Reyne and his ragtag crew on the Gryphon are runners, part of the Collective's interplanetary postal service. They deliver supplies to the farthest, darkest reaches of the Collective known as the fringe. After a warship captain confiscates one of their packages, Reyne discovers a galactic conspiracy involving military leaders, a secret organization, fringe rebels, and pirates…with the Gryphon’s crew stuck in the middle. Reyne must make an impossible delivery, and the entire Collective is at stake if he fails.

 

Rachel Aukes

Rachel Aukes is the international bestselling author of 100 Days in Deadland, which was named one of the best books of 2013 by Suspense Magazine and one of the best zombie books by the Huffington Post. She also writes romantic science fiction and fantasy under the pen name Berinn Rae, which includes the RWA award-winning short story "Stealing Fate," a USA Today recommended read. Rachel lives in Iowa with her husband and an incredibly spoiled sixty-pound lap dog. When not writing, she can be found flying old airplanes and trying (not so successfully) to prepare for the zombie apocalypse.  

 

Find Rachel Aukes

Website ** Twitter ** Goodreads

*****

My Thoughts:

Can I just start out this review by saying that I had absolutely no idea what I was getting myself into when it came to Fringe Runner. Let me tell you guys how many sci-fi or space opera books I had read previously... none. Nope. Not a single one. Sci-Fi is not usually my bit. I'm as nerdy as they come. I love Star Wars, I can tell you all about space and astronomy (I went to Space Camp, for goodness sakes), but when it comes to Sci-Fi novels, I've never been interested. It's always been one of those genres that I always assumed worked better in the visual media (film, television, video games, etc). Well folks, I was wrong. Once again I underestimated the great Rachel Aukes. 

Those of you who are new to my blog and reviews may not be familiar with Aukes, but anyone who has been around since the beginning will be well-acquainted with Aukes and her most recent series, the Deadland Saga. You see, Aukes has changed my life once before. Yes, I didn't say shelves. I said life. Prior to Aukes, I was very 'on the fence' about horror novels, especially anything regarding zombies. Through her literary masterpieces, Aukes made me a believer in the best of ways. Her eloquent writing style, paired with an ability to craft emotions so strong, Nicholas Sparks himself should be jealous, Aukes changed my literary landscape in indescribable ways. 

I'd let Aukes guide me through the unknown once before, but was I confident she could change my views on the Sci-Fi genre? It didn't take long for me to find my answer.

From the very first chapter, I was hooked.

Fringe Runner is one of the most unique and original novels I have read in a very long time. Leaping off the pages and into the most creative of fantasies my mind could conjure, Aukes weaves a tale full of suspense, action, and spectacular emotions that left me begging for more!

The very best part of Fringe Runner is that it's the perfect Sci-Fi read to get your feet wet. Whether your a seasoned pro or a beginner to the genre, you'll greatly appreciate the world Aukes has created. Why is it so perfect for new readers of the genre, you ask? One of the glowing stereotypes of a Sci-Fi space opera is the high fantasy-level of description the authors tend to pour into each volume, leading to a slow moving plot that requires far more attention than your average reader is willing/has time to commit to. Aukes totally wipes that stereotype off the slate by providing her readers a full glimpse into her world, including all necessary backstory and world-building, without making the experience a grueling one for the readers. She slips in all necessary knowledge by effortlessly weaving it within her narrative. 

A true testament to the talent of Aukes to break down the genre boundaries within the very first installment of this series.

I won't say too much about the plot in an effort to avoid spoilers, but I can tell you that while there are lots of details and character to keep track of, it's fairly easy to plot out the key players in the story. The plot is full of turmoil both on the action side and the emotional one. Aukes is no stranger to either action or emotion, so this series was sure to impress from the start. The ending to Fringe Runner left me pumped to see what she has in store for the next installment in the series. 

Aukes really nailed it with her characters in this one. Each character is different, paired with their own triumphs and personality (or physical) flaws. It's amazing to get into the minds of such a large cast of characters in a read of this size. We really learn so much about everyone in a way that doesn't veer far from the plot's intended path. One of my favorite things about a Rachel Aukes novel is that while you know they are intended for older, matured audiences, they aren't riddled with gore, harsh language, or explicit sex. Take note readers, Aukes is an author to watch! 

As mentioned before, I haven't read any sci-fi novels previously so I have very little to compare Fringe Runner to. What I can say is that I truly enjoyed the futuristic setting and technologies. They were described in short context, as though everything was not out of the ordinary. I think that made for a much more enjoyable experience. With this in mind, I was fully able to immerse myself into the plot and setting without worrying about the technicalities or 'realism' or the story. I dove in head first and came out with a new appreciation for both Aukes and the genre. 

As you can clearly see, I was absolutely blown away by Fringe Runner. My only complaint is that we have to wait for the next book in the series. I definitely could have used another hundred pages! It should come as absolutely no surprise that I am granting Fringe Runner by Rachel Aukes a near-perfect 5-star review. A perfect read for fans of the fantasy and sci-fi genres. Don't take my word for it, grab yourself a copy of Fringe Runner, available now from your favorite retailer. You will not be disappointed!

*****

Alright readers, that's all I have for you on the topic of Fringe Runner by Rachel Aukes. As you can see, this book was way out of my norm, but one that griped me from the opening chapter and refused to let go until the very last page. I have to say I was not expecting to love this read as much as I did, but I couldn't recommend it more highly. Be sure to add this one to your TBR today and make sure to wish our author a very happy release day and the best of luck with this new series. Here's to you, Rachel Aukes! Thanks so much for stopping by, until next time, Happy Reading!

-Ethan

Deadland Rising by Rachel Aukes Review

Hey readers! Big release day today! I was lucky enough to get an early copy of this one and I read the entire thing in two sittings. SUCH an incredible novel! What am I raving about? Deadland Rising, the final book in Rachel Aukes' incredible Deadland Saga. Here's a bit about the book and our author before we get to my thoughts!

The search for hope in a shambling world...

Winter has arrived. 

It has been nearly one year since the zombie hordes claimed the world. As the plague eats away at its victims’ bodies, the Fox survivors search for a safe place to rebuild what they have lost. But a dangerous new threat has risen, hunting them from every direction. To survive, Cash, Clutch, and their small band of refugees must put their faith in a group of strangers and a new government with radical plans. It will take all of the Fox survivors’ strength and courage to endure in this barren, hostile world. Even that might not be enough.


(Deadland Rising is a journey through Dante Alighieri's Paradiso, the classic tale on the seven virtues… zombie apocalypse style!)

 

Rachel Aukes

Rachel Aukes is the international bestselling author of 100 Days in Deadland, which was named one of the best books of 2013 by Suspense Magazine and one of the best zombie books by the Huffington Post. She also writes romantic science fiction and fantasy under the pen name Berinn Rae, which includes the RWA award-winning short story "Stealing Fate," a USA Today recommended read. Rachel lives in Iowa with her husband and an incredibly spoiled sixty-pound lap dog. When not writing, she can be found flying old airplanes and trying (not so successfully) to prepare for the zombie apocalypse.  

 

Find Rachel Aukes

Website ** Twitter ** Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

"Believe me, if I could change the past, there'd be plenty I would do differently. But I can't, and you can't either. We have to accept things as we see them and keep on living."

                                                                              -Clutch, Deadland Rising P. 52

At the beginning of my other two reviews for this series, I felt the need to explain to my readers that I am generally not a fan of the horror genre. I don't like horror, I deplore zombies, and I don't handle suspense well. Well folks. I'm not even going to write that anymore, because that would be a complete lie. Thank Rachel Aukes, you've ruined horror for me! No longer do I fear the unknowns of the literary world. No longer do I mock zombies, Rachel Aukes has made me a believer.

Going into this novel was one of the most bittersweet experiences I have had as a blogger. As anyone who read my other two reviews and read my year end recap could tell you, this was one of my most anticipated reads of 2015, so of course I was pumped to check it out. On the flip side, I knew this would be my final adventure alongside the characters I had grown so incredibly close to. 400 pages to see if these heroes would live, die, or even become the living dead themselves. Emotions ran high, but I knew with Rachel Aukes at the helm, I would not be disappointed.

I'll just flat out tell you now that if today was the final day of 2015, Deadland Rising would be among my top reads of the year. I was expecting a whole lot out of this novel and, thankfully, Rachel Aukes did not disappoint, not even a little.

In true Rachel Aukes fashion, this entire novel was very fast paced. Picking up mere days after the second novel, we find our characters in quite the conundrum. Making their way across the plains of the Midwest in search of New Eden, their promised paradise and home to other survivors of the zombie apocalypse, proves to be more of a journey than anticipated. It's been nine months since the infection spread rampant across society, resulting in massive casualties and complete breakdown of modern civilization. What remains of the government bombed the metropolitan centers of the US in an effort to kill the infection, killing any possible survivors as well. With the plummeting temperatures of winter quickly taking over, the zeds have migrated south towards warmer temperatures. Those that remain are slow, sluggish, and stand like statues on the frozen plains. While the number of zeds may have decreased, Cash, Clutch, Jase, and the gang must fight off bandits and bands of rabid angry dogs to make their way to New Eden before winter stops them in their tracks. 

The plot line to this novel is a little more defined that its' predecessors. Unlike the other two stories where the only plot was 'survive', out gang has a mission now. It's a big change of pace from the other two stories where you never know what may happen next, though this novel is full of the unexpected. In true form for a conclusion, Rachel Aukes makes sure to tie up all loose ends. By the time you close your cover, you know whats happened to most all characters. Those that haven't been killed, that is. I'm not going to spoil the ending for anyone, but I can tell you that I was pleased. Immensely. The story wraps up in a way that says "yes, this is the end of the story, but you never know what the future may hold'. Rebuilding society won't happen overnight, but the reader is left with hope for a better tomorrow.

This series has a huge cast of characters. Unfortunately many of them do not make it to the end, but Rachel gives us so many new ones to fill their place. Even though this is a final novel in the series, we are still introduced to a dozen or so new characters that really help to move the story to its' conclusion. New survivors, new doctors, new politicians, new enemies, friends, and animals, will have to work together to survive the end of days in this amazing conclusion. With such a large cast, one may wonder how everyone gets their time to shine. I will admit that I would have liked to have seen more from some characters and less from others, but in the end, this first person POV is told from Cash, who narrates the series to perfection. Seeing the world through her eyes is truly a treat. All of my favorite characters play huge roles in the novel: Clutch, Cash, Jase, Hali, Benji, Griz, and so many more. 

I'm not going to lie to you guys. In true Rachel Aukes fashion, not every character will make it to the end. There will be feels people. Let's just hope you fight them off better than I did. Oh man, I caught those feels hardcore.

The world isn't the same after the outbreak, but Aukes does a great job with her settings in the story. Everything is described in vivid detail, giving this entire series the feel of a motion picture. It isn't hard for me to close my eyes and picture everything as it happens. With the inclusion of some new vernacular and a whole new government, Aukes paints the picture of the future of the Americas where Northern Mexico, the US, and Canada have combined forces into one major state. This picture is far from complete, but gives the reader great insight to what the future may bring.

I'd also like to take note of the level of accuracy that Aukes has included in this series. A world without electricity, running water, human maintenance is a scary thought. Many things such as the breakdown in gasoline chemicals (rendering it useless after time) never occurred to me, yet Aukes made sure to include it anyway. Of all the apocalyptic novels I have read, this one is my far the most realistic and I give huge props to Aukes for that.  

With this series, Rachel Aukes set out to tell a gripping horror story against the backdrop of Dante Alighieri's Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. Aukes is no casual author, she meticulously analyzed Alighieri's groundbreaking and timeless tale in order to craft her story. Everything is there, from hell to paradise, Rachel Aukes did an incredible job. I have seen authors attempt this in the past with horrendous results, but as a huge fan of the Divine Comedy myself, I can say that Rachel Aukes definitely does it justice. I am confident that Alighieri would be a fan himself, that is, if he weren't stuck back in the thirteenth century. 

As you can see, I was a huge fan of this final installment of the Deadland Saga. From page one of 100 Days in Deadland, I knew this was going to be a special series. Never once did I read anything in these novels that I wanted to change. Each death served a vital purpose, ever downfall was necessary, and every small victory made my heart soar. Rachel Aukes delivered a stronger punch in her final novel than I even thought was possible. When closing the back cover, I wasn't left with sadness. I wasn't left with regret, fear, or anxiety. I was left with hope. Hope that our world could possibly overcome our difference and come together to form a better society for us all. 

It should come as absolutely no surprise to anyone that I am granting Deadland Rising by Rachel Aukes a near-perfect 5-star review. Of all my reads, I'm not sure one has ever taken me on quite the journey as this one has. Huge kudos to you Mrs. Rachel Aukes, you truly are the "Queen of Scream". I cannot wait to see what we can expect from you next. 

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Click the covers below to see my five star reviews of the first two novels in the Deadland Saga!

     

I'll be honest and tell you guys that I have no idea what Rachel Aukes has up her sleeve next. More paranormal? More horror? I couldn't tell you, but what I do know is that through this series Rachel Aukes taught me so much about the book world. I learned through her that horror novels are about so much more than gore and being on the edge of your seat. The scariest things in life are the thoughts that your life as you know it may cease to exist one day. Would we be able to survive? Rachel poses some incredible questions with this series and always has left me with more thoughts than a book usually does. It is due to her in depth analysis of not only classical literature, but also the human psyche, that Rachel Aukes will forever remain a favorite author of mine. She just 'gets' it, ya know?

While it is with great sadness that I post this about this final novel in the Deadland Saga, it is with a warm heart that I say a huge thank you and congratulations to the author, Mrs. Rachel Aukes. Thank you for supplying the bookish world with hope, with fear, with a better outlook on the human experience. Thank you Rachel Aukes, this series will forever made an impression on my bookish heart and soul! I look forward to our next incredible adventure together!

Special thanks to Rachel Aukes for supplying me with a copy of this novel and for being such a great friend and supporter. 

What do you guys think? Sound like the novel for you? Sound off in the comments below and don't forget to grab your copy!

Until next time, Happy Reading!

-Ethan

Halloween Author Invasion Author Spotlight: Rachel Aukes

Hey readers! We're nearing the end of October (my favorite month of the year), and you know what that means!? It's almost Halloween! As most of you already know, this year Christina from Lulo Fangirl and myself are co-hosting the Halloween Author Invasion event on Facebook from October 26-30! For those of you who don't know about the event, you can find out more by clicking here.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE 

HALLOWEEN AUTHOR INVASION ON FACEBOOK!

Who all is participating? Here's our amazing guest list:

Now that you guys are all FOR SURE familiar with the Halloween Author invasion, I have a fun post for you guys. To get everyone pumped about our amazing guest list, Christina and I will be featuring Author Spotlight posts for our authors to get you excited to party alongside them next week! Each post will feature the authors bio, links, and a fun exclusive Halloween-ish interview they have granted us for the event! We are so honored to have all of these amazing authors participating in our event! Are you ready to learn a little more about our line up? Here we go!

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AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT

Rachel Aukes 

 

 

Rachel Aukes is the international bestselling author of 100 Days in Deadland, which was named one of the best books of 2013 by Suspense Magazine and one of the best zombie books by the Huffington Post. She also writes romantic science fiction and fantasy under the pen name Berinn Rae, which includes the RWA award-winning short story "Stealing Fate," a USA Today recommended read. Rachel lives in Iowa with her husband and an incredibly spoiled sixty-pound lap dog. When not writing, she can be found flying old airplanes and trying (not so successfully) to prepare for the zombie apocalypse.

 

 

Find Rachel Aukes

Website ** Twitter ** Goodreads 

If you are new to OneGuysGuidetoGoodReads, you may not know of my deep undying love for all things Rachel Aukes. She, along with Nazarea Andrews, are two authors I can honestly say have changed my literary life. Before them, you could not have payed me to touch a zombie book, now, I crave them! Rachel has one of the most unique and beautiful writing voices I have every had the great pleasure of reading. Her Deadland Saga series is amongst my all time favorites. Suspense, horror, and enough emotions to bring a grown man to tears (I still haven't forgiven you for that), Rachel packs it ALL in! Seriously, if you aren't familiar with Rachel, I highly encourage you to look her up, you will NOT be disappointed. Click the cover below to learn more about Rachel's Deadland Saga series!

Halloween Spotlight Interview

What is your favorite supernatural genre (Witches, zombies, vampires, werewolves, etc) and why?

Zombies, of course! They are the ultimate monster, with no humanity left. Also, they're the perfect monster to kill, and I really enjoy killing monsters. Kill one, and there are a ten more. 

What is your favorite horror film and/or read?

Ironically, I rarely watch scary movies (I'm wimpy and get scared way too easy). I think I still have flashbacks from Dark Night of the Scarecrow, a movie I watched when I was young. 

What is your favorite Halloween costume (or your favorite that you have worn/have seen)?

I always thought it'd be fun to go as Captain Kirk. But, since I'm a woman, everyone would probably mistake me for Capt. Janeway instead.

What is your favorite Halloween candy? 

Candy corn. It's simple, traditional, and pure sugar.

What is your favorite part about Halloween?

First, I love Fall. It's my favorite season and puts me in a great mood. Add a holiday seeped in the spiritual mythology of "de muertos," and my inquisitive soul is completely hooked.  

What is your favorite Halloween memory?

 My favorite Halloween memories are more a collection of memories. As a young kid living out in the country, I treasured coming up with my costume every year. I made nearly all of my costumes, which made them all the more meaningful... even though I chose to be a witch every year (with one exception: I was a black cat one year. Go figure.). 

 

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Well, what do you think? Excited to hang out with Rachel Aukes during the Halloween Author Invasion? I know we sure are!

Rachel will be taking over the event on Sunday, October 26th! Rachel is actually starting out the event and will be our very first author!!

We can't wait to see you there! Go show Rachel some love and tell her you can't wait to party! Thanks so much for stopping by. Until next time, Happy Reading!

-Ethan

 

Waiting on Wednesday {4}

Hey everyone and welcome to my weekly Waiting on Wednesday meme post! This is just a once a week deal where each Wednesday I post about one book I am looking forward to reading and then link it up to the host blog, Breaking the Spine, where I can be connected to over 200 other readers and bloggers who are looking for a new read! My friend Kim from kimberlyfayereads participates in this meme each week and it has always looked like a great time. Below you will find the book cover, synopsis, Goodreads link and my reasons for waiting on this read! Enjoy!

This week's WOW is... Deadland Rising by Rachel Aukes!

Deadland Rising 

Release Date: Late 2014
Genre: Adult, Horror, Sci-Fi 

The search for hope in a shambling world

It has been nearly one year since the zombie hordes claimed the world. As the plague eats away at its victims’ bodies, the Fox survivors search for a safe place they can call home and rebuild what has been lost. But a dangerous new threat has risen that hunts them from every direction, challenging them at every mile. To make matters worse, winter has arrived. To survive, Cash, Clutch, and their small band of refugees must put their faith in a group of strangers. 

It will take all of the Fox survivors’ strength and courage to endure in this barren, hostile world. Even then, that may not be enough.

Deadland Rising, the conclusion of the Deadland Saga, is a journey through Dante Alighieri's “Paradiso”, the classic tale on the seven virtues… zombie apocalypse style!

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Why am I waiting?

If you guys have been here in the past few weeks, you've read all about how much I loved the first two books in this series! Rachel Aukes BLEW me away with this series. It's thrills and gruesome chills on each and every page! I always end her books with such a plethora of emotions I can't hardly stand it! This being the last book in the series has me so excited, but scared as hell! What is going to happen to my favorite characters?! I must know! Ahh! I'm generally not a zombie fan, but Rachel Aukes has helped to make a believer out of me! All hail Rachel Aukes :) Seriously though, if you are looking for a "different" kind of read, I highly recommend this series. It's one of the highest reviewed series I have read and I absolutely cannot wait for book 3! ********************************************************************************** 

What are YOU waiting on this week?

Check out this week's host post at Breaking the Spine by clicking here!

 

Thanks for stopping by, Happy Reading! 

-Ethan 

Deadland's Harvest (Deadland Saga #2) by Rachel Aukes Review

Hey readers, happy Friday! I hope you are all having a fantastic week. I've been reading like a crazy person this week so I have had lots to share with ya'll. Today I wanted to make sure I gave y'all a review and I have an awesome one for you. You may remember a couple of weeks ago where I reviewed the first two novels in Nazarea Andrews' The World Without End series and absolutely loved them. They were my very first literary journey into the paranormal sub-genre of zombies. I am not a zombie fan, well.. I never was before then! So... riding that high, I sought out other zombie series and came across Rachel Aukes 100 Days in Deadland on Goodreads. I didn't expect that I would strike gold again with a zombie novel, I never would have imagine I may have just came across one of my favorite series of the year! Up for review today? An amazing Horror/Sci-Fi novel from Rachel Aukes, book 2 in the Deadland saga: Deadland's Harvest! Here's a little bit about the book and the author before we get to my thoughts!

The seven deadly sins with a shambling twist...

It has been one hundred days since the zombies claimed the world. Cash, along with forty-two survivors, have found safety in the secluded and well-guarded Fox National Park. The leaves are changing colors, a beautiful, brutal reminder that winter is coming. As the survivors prepare for freezing months without electricity and not enough food, they learn of massive zombie herds several hundred miles north…and headed their way.

To save the park, Cash must find a place for the survivors to hide from the migrating herds. If Cash and her small band of volunteers don’t succeed by winter, the Fox survivors just may become Deadland’s Harvest. 

 

Rachel Aukes

Rachel Aukes is the international bestselling author of 100 Days in Deadland, which was named one of the best books of 2013 by Suspense Magazine and one of the best zombie books by the Huffington Post. She also writes romantic science fiction and fantasy under the pen name Berinn Rae, which includes the RWA award-winning short story "Stealing Fate," a USA Today recommended read. Rachel lives in Iowa with her husband and an incredibly spoiled sixty-pound lap dog. When not writing, she can be found flying old airplanes and trying (not so successfully) to prepare for the zombie apocalypse.  

 

Find Rachel Aukes

Website ** Twitter ** Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

About a week ago I wrote up a huge review of 100 Days in Deadland (book one in this series) and said that I had no idea how Aukes could top that novel. I had no idea how she could hope to capture my attention a second time as she had the first. Well… I definitely shouldn’t have said that, because I definitely opened mouth and inserted foot. Rachel, you did it again. Deadland’s Harvest knocked it out of the part. Rachel came in guns blazing with novel number two and literally, kicked it’s ass.

Many novels have such a clear distinction between their various parts in the series. Harvest picks up right where 100 Days in Deadland let off and keep on going. I don’t even think I got through the very first chapter before my heart was racing and I was anxious as can be to keep doing. Aukes style of writing keeps you on your toes the entire time. You never know what the next page may hold. With Zeds (zombies) coming left and right and a migrating horde headed straight for the Camp Fox survivors, it’s up to Cash, Clutch, Jase, and the gang to relocate Camp Fox to safety. “Safety”. It wouldn’t be a zombie novel if it didn’t come with gruesome deaths and heartbreaking emotion. Thankfully Aukes has us covered on both fronts.

Aukes did such a fantastic job with setting the tone and introducing the characters in 100 Days in Deadland that she really didn’t have to spend any time backtracking on this story. With some series you can pick up any book and not read them in order and somehow not miss anything, this is not one of those series. If you haven’t read 100 Days in Deadland then don’t even think about reading this one. Seriously, 100 Days in Deadland was one of the best books I have read all year, you should be throat chopped if you think about skipping it to read this one. Seriously.

Anyway, like I said, if you want to know about the characters and back story, click below this review to read my review of 100 Days in Deadland, because I really don’t see a point in rehashing all that here.

As I am writing this review, I am going back through my highlights and quotes from the novel and want to seriously stop writing just so I can read it again. It was that great. Aukes is such an amazing author that really leaves me completely satisfied and emotional exhausted. GAH. I told you guys in my last review that there was an emotional part that made me tear up a bit, but (and I’ve already told Rachel this) DAMN YOU RACHEL AUKES, she had me nearly bawling at a few of the scenes in this novel. It was rough. It really is a sad, horrible world that these characters are living in and they seriously cannot catch a break. You learn so much about the human experience from Aukes and her true-to-life interpretations through this series. I will admit that I haven’t read any of her other works, but I will be checking them out after these amazing novels.

Where 100 Days in Deadland was a retelling of Dante’s Inferno, Deadland’s Harvest was labeled as “a journey through the seven deadly sins with a shambling twist”. It was a shambling twist alright. Aukes takes each sin and seriously parallels the storyline in such an amazing fashion that you wonder if she has some sort of psychological connection with Dante Alighieri himself! I will admit that each “sin” chapter confused me a bit, it was not until the very end that I was able to fully identify the “gluttony”, or “pride”, etc in the particular section. It takes a bit of an investigative reader to identify the sins, but the journey is worth the interpretation. Honestly, everything about this second trip into the Deadland Saga was fulfilling as the first. I can’t think of a single criticism that I have. This story was different than book one, but not in a negative way in any way, shape, or form.

Also, note to Rachel Aukes, I have spent the past four years working at Bass Pro, a store EXTREMELY similar the one described in one important scene of the novel and let me tell you, I’ll never look at it the same again! This novel really, really will change your views on some things. I am not sure if that was the intention of Aukes, but it really was great to see her visions for the fall of society. Unlike other zombie novels I have read that take place after the zombie apocalypse, this series tells of the apocalypse in its’ entirety. Book one starts out with the first day of the “apocalypse” (for Cash) and continues on their entire journey. It’s remarkable, it truly is.

I seriously feel like I could go on about this novel all day long, but I’ll stop and let everyone get back to their real world. All in all, I am giving Deadland’s Harvest the same review I gave to its’ predecessor, a 5+ star review. Seriously, there is nothing more I would have asked for. This novel was damn near perfect. I said in my 100 Days in Deadland review that “few books have had the profound effect and left the lasting book hangover” as that one, well, I can say the very same about Harvest. It’s been 4 days since I finished and it’s still all I can think about! Aukes says she plans on releasing the final installment in the Deadland Saga series out towards the end of the year, but I’ll be honest, I don’t know how I’ll make it through! To quote Aukes, I’ve been to prep myself because “shit goes down” in book three. That scares the hell out of me. I am so anxious to see how this story ends. I have been skimming through the final story in Dante’s journey through hell to see how Aukes may finish out her amazing saga! AHH!!! Excitement! As soon as I hear more info/cover reveals/blurbs/etc for book 3, you will find it all right here! Why are you still reading this? GET TO READING!

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100 Days in Deadland Review

*Click the cover below*

Where can you get yours?

Alright readers, that's all I have for you on the topic of Deadland's Harvest by Rachel Aukes. An incredible read that has forever changed the way I will view books of this genre. It isn't often I can say I feel honored to have read a book, but this is definitely one of those times. Aukes has truly created close to the perfect Horror/Sci-Fi read. This book has received many, many accolades since its' release and truly deserves each one. I am absolutely giddy about starting Deadland's Harvest ASAP. Thank you to Mrs. Rachel Aukes for supplying me with an ecopy of this novel after meeting her on Twitter a few weeks ago! I cannot wait to read more of her works (including book 3 later this year)! Be on the look out readers, they will be here eventually! Until next time, Happy Reading!

-Ethan 

100 Days in Deadland (Deadland #1) by Rachel Aukes Review

Hey readers, happy Thursday! I hope you are all having a fantastic week. I've been reading like a crazy person this week to get the blog prepped while I am on vacation next week so I haven't had a whole bunch for you guys. Today I wanted to make sure I gave y'all a review and I have an awesome one for you. You may remember a couple of weeks ago where I reviewed the first two novels in Nazarea Andrews' The World Without End series and absolutely loved them. They were my very first literary journey into the paranormal sub-genre of zombies. I am not a zombie fan, well.. I never was before then! So... riding that high, I sought out other zombie series and came across today's book on Goodreads. I didn't expect that I would strike gold again with a zombie novel, I never would have imagine I may have just came across one of my favorite reads of the year! Up for review today? An amazing Horror/Sci-Fi novel from Rachel Aukes, 100 Days in Deadland! Here's a little bit about the book and the author before we get to my thoughts!

A Journey Through Dante's Inferno with a Shambling Twist...

The world ended on a Thursday.

In one day, the world succumbed to a pestilence that decimated the living. In its place rose a new species: vicious, gruesome, wandering monsters with an insatiable hunger for the living. There is no government, no shelter.

Still in her twenties, Cash has watched her friends die, only to walk again. An office worker with few survival skills, she joins up with Clutch, a grizzled Army veteran with PTSD. Together, they flee the city and struggle through the nine circles of hell, with nothing but Clutch’s military experience and Cash’s determination to live. As they fight to survive in the zombie inferno, they quickly discover that nowhere is safe from the undead… or the living.

This is the beginning after the end.

Rachel Aukes

Rachel Aukes is the international bestselling author of 100 Days in Deadland, which was named one of the best books of 2013 by Suspense Magazine and one of the best zombie books by the Huffington Post. She also writes romantic science fiction and fantasy under the pen name Berinn Rae, which includes the RWA award-winning short story "Stealing Fate," a USA Today recommended read. Rachel lives in Iowa with her husband and an incredibly spoiled sixty-pound lap dog. When not writing, she can be found flying old airplanes and trying (not so successfully) to prepare for the zombie apocalypse.  

 

Find Rachel Aukes

Website ** Twitter ** Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

If someone would have told me 6 months ago, when I started this blog, that I would one day be reviewing horror/zombie novels, I would have laughed in their faces. That's one genre, I never imagined getting involved with. I've never seen an episode of The Walking Dead and the aside from watching World War Z, the only experiences I had ever had with zombies were the Inferi in Harry Potter. I'm not even kidding. Zombies did not interest me in the least bit. I never would have thought I would actually be scared reading a book about them. And then I met Rachel Aukes. I can officially say my life has been turned upside down.

To say that Aukes is a good story teller would be an insult to 100 Days in Deadland. Aukes takes storytelling to a level far beyond merely "good". I say I never thought a book about zombies would scare me? Never say never. There were times when I literally had to stop reading. It was that good. I've read Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and others, but never before has a novel struck me the way this one did. Aukes is a true master of horror. Not only did 100 Days in Deadland scare me at times, it was also extremely emotional on the other end of the spectrum. There were moments of comedy, moments of true happiness (like I would actually smile when reading those little rays of sunshine), and extreme emotional devastation. I will be honest and admit upfront that I even teared up at one part of the book. The emotions were strong in this one. I'm telling you readers, I was on a anxious, nervous, and extremely excited to turn each and every page.

Aukes starts the action out on page one and it does let up the entire time. This novel literally did not have a lull in action. My Nook version had 260 pages, but Amazon claims the page count is over 400. This is not a "one sitting" read. It'll take you awhile to process this one, but hard part is finding an appropriate place to stop. I had the hardest time putting this read down. In fact, last night I had finished a little less than half of the novel when I started reading. I finished it. I seriously could not stop reading. I stayed up until nearly 5am finishing this novel. Folks, I love my sleep. This should be a pretty good indication that we have a good read on out hands here.

Dante's Inferno has always been a favorite of mine. I remember reading it in high school and I oftentimes find myself relating works and quotes back to it today. It is amazing story and one that I would have never thought of modernizing, especially with zombies. Aukes' Deadland is an awesome updated adaptation of Inferno, labeling each section of the book in accordance to one of the levels of hell Dante encounters with his guide, Virgil. This book deserves all the praise it can get, in fact, I think high school English courses should teach both novels, who wouldn't love to read this in class? (Totally kidding) 

Aukes' characters in Deadland are some of the most interesting I have ever read. Mia, or Cash, our MC starts out as a regular old pencil pusher at her business firm in Des Moines, but transforms into not only a survivor, but a warrior by the end of the novel. She faces so many hardships and losses, I can't imagine ever living the way she does. Her character development was an amazing journey to read. Clutch, our MMC was also a great character to read. Although he doesn't really change over the course of the novel, we learn about him in a way that our views drastically change from page to page. It really was incredible. My favorite character in this read was the third "MC", Jase. Jase has one of the most emotionally gripping storylines in the novel, in my opinion. We see his transformation just as closely as we see Cash's. Jase has a twist that I won't spoil for any interested readers, but it is part of his storyline that made me tear up. It was rough. I cannot wait to see what the next book in the series has for these three characters. There is a rather large supporting cast in this novel, but these three are the ones who really made the story for me.

I want to add something about villanious aspect of this book. It's so interesting when you read a zombie book, because you don't really need a villain. The "zeds" are the villain. It's remarkable how en element in a story can become the villain. Aukes' didn't stop there though, she gave us a villain who we could really hate. One who was just about as ruthless as they come. A villain who was just as horrifying as the storyline! THAT is an incredible feat!

I have all kinds of things I could say about this read, but I think I can just keep it at this and only add this: I have read more books than I could count this year and reviewed just as many. Each of those books spoke to me in a way that made me enjoy them (at least enough to finish), but few have had the effect and left a profounding book-hangover as 100 Days in Deadland has! That being said, 5 stars is not high enough for my rating, so let's just call this book "damn-near perfect". I am giving 100 Days in Deadland a 5+ Star Review. Trust me readers, you will not be disappointed in this read. Even if you, like me, think you aren't a zombie fan, try this one out. I think you will be pleasantly surprised!

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Click the button below to get your copy now!

Alright readers, that's all I have for you on the topic of 100 Days in Deadland by Rachel Aukes. An incredible read that has forever changed the way I will view books of this genre. It isn't often I can say I feel honored to have read a book, but this is definitely one of those times. Aukes has truly created close to the perfect Horror/Sci-Fi read. This book has received many, many accolades since its' release a year ago and truly deserves each one. I am absolutely giddy about starting Deadland's Harvest ASAP. Thank you to Mrs. Rachel Aukes for supplying me with an ecopy of this novel after meeting her on Twitter a few weeks ago! I cannot wait to read more of her works. Be on the look out readers, they will be here eventually! Until next time, Happy Reading!

-Ethan