Zombie Dawn Outbreak (Zombie Dawn Trilogy)

By: Nick S. Thomas, Michael G. Mann

Narrated by: Mark Diamond

Length: 6 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

The first novel in the exciting Zombie Dawn series that follows the outbreak of a deadly Zombie plague and the people that are left, fighting to survive. Follow the story of six individuals around the world in their fight to survive in the first few days of the Zombie Outbreak.

Dr Garcia, the high level researcher and troubleshooter who tries to halt the spread of the virus against impossible odds. Dave the office worker and his hapless friends who find their building at the heart of a zombie infestation. Sergeant Black of the US Marines who faces the terrifying prospect of zombie Taliban suicide bombers in the middle of Afghanistan. Gary, a police officer who finds himself caught up in a bloodthirsty undead riot. Bruce, the Australian medieval re-enactor who tests his armor and weapons for the first time against a drooling enemy. Lastly, Zack and his video gaming friends who grab their trusty survival manuals and attempt to use their gaming knowledge to get out of their city.

©2010 Michael G. Thomas & Nick S. Thomas (P)2015 Swordworks Books

choppy in the beginning...but hang in there

I like that it had the world falling apart from many different viewpoints. However it did make it hard to follow in the beginning. They go on making their own escapes for so long you start to feel like your reading serveral books at once. I hung in there and they do start to tie together a bit in the end making a good cliffhanger. It was also refreshing most characters just accepted the dead were coming back to life as zombies instead of spending half the book in denial.

One thing that bothered me about the book was the overuse of he said or she said. Where it could have been yelled, replied, whispered etc. even 'he said quietly' I know sounds picky but when say there's a group of five talking and all you hear is 'she said, he said, paul said, frank said' I found it hard to stay interested. However it was in no means a deal breaker for this book and I would still recommend it. I look forward to seeing how the rest of the characters tie in the next book.

'he said', 'she said' in a really slow voice

Ok I have to get some things off my chest. This one really ticked me off! It had some serious problems both with the narration and with the writing. But on the other hand I liked the story.

Starting with the first thing you will notice. This has to be the slowest narration ever! Easily listened to it at 1.5 speed and then even increased it to 2x speed without any real problems. The story itself is just over 6 hours in length, so straight away the dollar per listening hour drops! The Australian accents in this are just plain terrible... I should know I am Australian! But being Australian I can live with that.

Now onto the writing which nearly caused me to give up. Within the first hour you will come to a section which no joke half of the content is the following words 'he said' or 'she said'. It is more annoying... than a really annoying thing which really annoys!

Not only does the narrator do a terrible Australian accent, but it seems the author is trying to throw in more 'australiaaaaaissssssm' than you poke a stick at... I mean struth... it was a Barry Crocker... stone the flaming crows mate!

Alright rant done with... I have settled down now. Onto the good parts. I liked how the story flowed from chapter to chapter. It had enough variety of characters to keep you from getting bored.

In summary, I can not forgive the fact that I was charged so much for a story which in reality is very short. The slow narration should have never have been allowed to pass. It smells of a money grab on behalf of the author and or publisher. But if you were ask me if I was to purchase the second one in the story... The answer would be 'yes' but rather reluctantly and only if I could not find another title to listen that day.

I really couldn't tell if this is a good book or n

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

If the narrator didn't sound like he was reading a children's book! I don't normally comment but this guy Mark Diamond is terrible!!! How'd he get this type of work?

What do you think your next listen will be?

Not sure.

How could the performance have been better?

Someone who can narrate properly!

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Zombie Dawn Outbreak (Zombie Dawn Trilogy)?

I don't know...due to my not being able to get past the second chapter!

Any additional comments?

I truly do not like to trash people but everybody cannot do every job!