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Book Reviews of The First Days (As the World Dies, Bk 1)

The First Days (As the World Dies, Bk 1)
The First Days - As the World Dies, Bk 1
Author: Rhiannon Frater
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ISBN-13: 9780765331267
ISBN-10: 0765331268
Publication Date: 7/5/2011
Pages: 352
Edition: First Edition
Rating:
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 24

4 stars, based on 24 ratings
Publisher: Tor Books
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

11 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

babyjulie avatar reviewed The First Days (As the World Dies, Bk 1) on + 336 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
This is my review that I left on goodreads back in 09 - I STILL love this trilogy!!!

I'm almost at a loss as to what to say here because I know next to nothing about zombies or this type of book. I picked this up for two reasons and two reasons only. One was because the reading challenge I'm doing this spring has a task where I needed to read a sci-fi book. I asked my friend Felicia what she would recommend and she sent me this book. I figured that at worst I would be able to plow through it and at best it would be milding entertaining. I've always been way more of a non-fiction person because it seemed to be more worthwhile in a way, like I was always learning something, that the reading wasn't just frivolous fun.
Well, this was an immense amount of fun although I wouldn't call it frivolous at all! I loved it! I can't wait to read the sequel and then the third installment!
I was and still am amazed at how Frater was able to make everything, not just some parts, everything, realistic as hell. It scared me. And I mean, it scared me bad. I'm not by nature a jumpy person but this book really got me thinking the whole 'what-if' scenario all throughout.
I'm thrilled that I found a new genre to read and I will always remember this book as being the first great zombie book I read!
The characters were out of this world (literally), if I had to pick a favorite I don't know where I would start. I like Juan a lot....and Nerit- she's awesome as hell. Katie and Jennie, the two main characters in the first one make the best team and Frater has their personalites matching perfectly without making them the 'same'.
The plot line and situations they had to go through were absolutely riveting. I found myself wanting to page through a little bit to "just see what happened" numerous times although I made myself wait and the end result was even more delicious.
I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a new genre to get into, anyone who enjoys different types of fiction, anyone who likes horror stories and/or liked being scared, damn near anyone in general really. To not read this would be missing out...seriously. At least give it a shot. Like I told Felicia- I would have laughed in the face of anyone if someone would have told me I'd like this kind of story. Even up until a week ago I'd have laughed my ass off.
Hopefully the second is just as good as this one because I can't wait to find out what happens next. The ending of this was just right- she left it so the reader is wanting more but also so you're surprisingly "full" too.
ra7 avatar reviewed The First Days (As the World Dies, Bk 1) on + 1009 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Oh my! I loved this! I especially liked the strong female protagonists. Katie and Jenni were in the thick of it and are more than capable of taking care of themselves in this new world. This one was a departure for me- more violent (lots of guts and guns), very little romance, and no HEA. However, it is riveting and excellently done.
jade19721 avatar reviewed The First Days (As the World Dies, Bk 1) on + 115 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I love me some zombies, however they need to be done right. This book was done right. My favorite thing about the book is that the lead characters are women in a zombified world who are not scared to get right in the midst of things and battle along with the men. Jenni and Katie have proven to be some very tough ladies. My second favorite part of the book is how it jumped right into the story. It's like going to the lake on the very first day of summer and just jumping in and not knowing if the lake is going to be cold or warm. Well this lake was quite cold and slapped you right in the face from page 1. I have already ordered the other two in this series and I can't wait till I have them in my hands to see what else happens with Jenni, Katie, and the survivors of Ashley Oaks.
jenart avatar reviewed The First Days (As the World Dies, Bk 1) on
Helpful Score: 1
It was alright. I think the writing needs some help. I felt like I was reading a young adult novel, aside from all the cussing and sex stuff. The story was fun enough to keep reading it. There are some minor editing issues, that are minor enough to not detract from the story. I didn't really feel anything while I was reading it though. I like it when books grab me and this one really didn't grab me. The characters aren't developed that well and just mentioning about how hot they are the entire story doesn't really justify their existence. It is lacking depth, I almost wanted the main characters to die just so the author would bring in someone who had depth. At least the story was fun. I might check out the second one.
reviewed The First Days (As the World Dies, Bk 1) on + 6 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This book/author is amazing! It pulled me in within the first paragraph and kept me on edge until the end. This author has the amazing ability to make you feel like you know and like the characters in her books. This is rare lately in authors I have read. You like them, you cheer them on and your heart breaks with them or for them. This series is gory, graphic and sometimes a little disturbing, but I love love loved it.

While in your mind you KNOW there is no such thing as zombies, that this is simply fiction, this author makes you think this could actually happen.

I can't get enough of this author, once i was done with this book I instantly picked up book two, anxious to know what happens next. Five plus stars. Will follow this author for a long time!
brandonofwinterfell avatar reviewed The First Days (As the World Dies, Bk 1) on
As a veteran of zombie series like Apocalypse Z, the Zombie Survival Guide, World War Z, and several others I went into this with high hopes, as it appeared to have won at least one award. However, the book was uninspired, boring, full of errors and weightless protagonists. The characters lacked any relatable motivation, and without getting into spoilers, are based on cookie cutouts of an abused woman and a bisexual business professional. Essentially, if the archetype is putting these two people together and saying âhey, plus there is zombies', that is fine but at least get the story around the characters into a readable place. Specifically: there are grammatical (spelling), punctuation and errors regarding character names; an inability of the structural and design facts to comport with reality (i.e. the building of defensive fortifications or even driving directions to be rooted in reality); and the characters jumping from one frantic and unsubstantiated motivation to another. I understand there can be high-hopes for a protagonist in a series such as this, and maybe that is on the reader, but outside of that the writing is one âyour loca chicaâ to âlets go broâ after another. It was tedious and head-ache driving to read, and there are innumerable other series better deserving your time and attention.
babyjulie avatar reviewed The First Days (As the World Dies, Bk 1) on + 336 more book reviews
This is my review that I left on goodreads back on 09 - I STILL love this trilogy!!!

I'm almost at a loss as to what to say here because I know next to nothing about zombies or this type of book. I picked this up for two reasons and two reasons only. One was because the reading challenge I'm doing this spring has a task where I needed to read a sci-fi book. I asked my friend Felicia what she would recommend and she sent me this book. I figured that at worst I would be able to plow through it and at best it would be milding entertaining. I've always been way more of a non-fiction person because it seemed to be more worthwhile in a way, like I was always learning something, that the reading wasn't just frivolous fun.
Well, this was an immense amount of fun although I wouldn't call it frivolous at all! I loved it! I can't wait to read the sequel and then the third installment!
I was and still am amazed at how Frater was able to make everything, not just some parts, everything, realistic as hell. It scared me. And I mean, it scared me bad. I'm not by nature a jumpy person but this book really got me thinking the whole 'what-if' scenario all throughout.
I'm thrilled that I found a new genre to read and I will always remember this book as being the first great zombie book I read!
The characters were out of this world (literally), if I had to pick a favorite I don't know where I would start. I like Juan a lot....and Nerit- she's awesome as hell. Katie and Jennie, the two main characters in the first one make the best team and Frater has their personalites matching perfectly without making them the 'same'.
The plot line and situations they had to go through were absolutely riveting. I found myself wanting to page through a little bit to "just see what happened" numerous times although I made myself wait and the end result was even more delicious.
I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a new genre to get into, anyone who enjoys different types of fiction, anyone who likes horror stories and/or liked being scared, damn near anyone in general really. To not read this would be missing out...seriously. At least give it a shot. Like I told Felicia- I would have laughed in the face of anyone if someone would have told me I'd like this kind of story. Even up until a week ago I'd have laughed my ass off.
Hopefully the second is just as good as this one because I can't wait to find out what happens next. The ending of this was just right- she left it so the reader is wanting more but also so you're surprisingly "full" too.
ophelia99 avatar reviewed The First Days (As the World Dies, Bk 1) on + 2527 more book reviews
I have had this book for a while to read and was excited to finally get to read it. This was part of the bunch of books I got when I was in a huge zombie reading phase a few years ago. This ended up being a pretty typical zombie book. This book details the first days of a zombie outbreak and two women who struggle to survive it.

I listened to this on audiobook and the audiobook was well done. It wasn't outstanding but it wasn't bad either.

My main complaint about this book is that after the initial rush and struggle to survive the book gets very soap operaish. There is a ton of drama about which characters are hooking up with which other characters. Of course then there is jealousy over this and infighting. I would have rather heard more about the survival aspects and the understanding behind why this zombie plague happened.

This book doesn't explore the âwhyâ behind the zombie attacks at all. I found that frustrating, but I assume that will be covered in future books. Towards the end of this book they start to address roving bands of brigands and thieves who are attacking the region. It becomes clear that other humans, rather than the zombies, are becoming the focus of the story.

This book is very brutal and gory and doesn't pull any punches. If you don't like reading about gore and brutality I would stay away.

Overall this was an okay read that is pretty standard zombie fare. I wish the book had focused less on human relationship drama and more on survival and the why behind the attacks. By the end of the book I was kind of bored with it all. I don't plan on continuing the series.
kimberlyrav avatar reviewed The First Days (As the World Dies, Bk 1) on + 417 more book reviews
Awesome zombie book. Full of adventure, fear, gore plans that go right and some that go array, great characters you'll love and all in the great state of Texas. This is not to be missed if you like brain eater storys!
susieqmillsacoustics avatar reviewed The First Days (As the World Dies, Bk 1) on + 1062 more book reviews
This is fast paced and a scary zombie tale, but I didn't care much for the protagonists. One is bisexual and her "wife" was killed in the initial attack so she mourns the love of her life the whole book. The other was in an abusive marriage for years and she is enjoying her freedom (despite her children having just died?) The dog, Jack was a great addition to the story, though. This book is also in need of an editor, but I could overlook that.
paintnmynails avatar reviewed The First Days (As the World Dies, Bk 1) on + 25 more book reviews
I love this series. Dying to get my hands on the last book. If you love zombie tales you've got to read this one.