Halloween Reading: Consumption Week | The End of Eaters | AstraDaemon

EATERS: RESURRECTION by Michelle DePaepe is the third book in a zombie trilogy with a blend of horror and science fiction. Cheryl began this nightmare as an insurance agent, returning from a camping trip to discover a waking nightmare unfolding around her. From one book to the next, she adapted and evolved, much like the infected, but Cheryl continued to struggle between what she wanted for herself and what she wanted for her fellow survivors.

In this third and final installment, the storyline picks up moments after the escape from Sedona. The secrets of O.N.E., as well as the secrets of several main characters, are revealed across emotionally devastating scenes. Cheryl and her group hit rock bottom and lose hope, after they discover they have been betrayed and lied to by more than one person throughout their journey. Some of the remaining survivors are so traumatized, they remain broken, and the fate of the infected is one of the most disturbing outcomes I've ever read.

This book series deserves far more props than it has received, and I encourage both zombiephiles and horror fans in general to read these novels before 2020 delivers another throat punch. Seriously, if you're looking for something to set the mood for Halloween or just looking for a way to get your mind off everything else, this is the way.

As always,
AstraDaemon

P.S. Don't forget to leave a comment to enter the giveaway for this week's autographed paperback.

Cheryl Has Had Enough

Eaters: The Resistance by Michelle DePaepe takes this zombie series to another level by mixing horror with science fiction. I haven't seen a genre mash-up like this since The Omega Dog, and I think it's an excellent shift by the author. If you're burned out on the whole zombie-apocalypse-changes-average-person-into-warrior scenario, you need to check out the Eaters storyline. Unlike most undead novels, the infected do not take a back seat to the survivors and the "bad guys" and "good guys" often change roles depending on the day's events.

This sequel takes place a few months or so after the first book ends. Cheryl has reunited with people from her past, although the reunions are not what she expected. Fort San Manuel gave her sanctuary after her brutal journey from Colorado to Arizona, but all good things must come to an end, especially when Cheryl realizes she has more than one threat to deal with. As the former insurance agent continues to fight for her life, acquiring as many new skills as she is able to to increase her chances of survival, Cheryl learns how the world-wide outbreak began.

Keeping in mind, over a year has past since Cheryl went camping with Mark, as well as what she went through in the first book, it's not that hard to believe how much she's changed. After losing so much, I can also understand why she is struggling to hold on to what she has left from her previous life. However, I'm concerned she is not going to last much longer if she doesn't find a balance between what she wants for herself and what she wants for everyone else.

I hope DePaepe doesn't take as long to release the third installment.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Insurance Agent Vs. Zombies

Eaters by Michelle DePaepe follows the survival of Cheryl, an insurance agent returning from a weekend camping trip with her fiancé, only to discover a deadly virus outbreak that is mutating the afflicted.

God help us if this is how the zombie apocalypse goes down…zombies are bad enough – zombies that are capable of coordinated attacks and basic problem-solving are an early invitation to put a bullet in your head to avoid the inevitable. The zombies begin as infected people with an insane craving for rotting food, but eventually they attack and eat non-infected people as well, and there is a rumor that the virus has gone airborne.

I love the development of Cheryl; in the beginning, she is very dependent on her fiancé, who has just returned from a tour of duty in the Army, but she quickly learns to adapt to the horror around her. There were a few twists that I wasn’t expecting, concerning her interactions with some of the other survivors. It’s always refreshing when an author can write something original, and not predictable.

I read this in one sitting, and nearly flipped out when I reached the end and realized this was the beginning of a new series. I will be reviewing the sequel, The Resistance, in the next day or two, so check back this weekend!

As always,
AstraDaemon