Cover Photo obtained from http://www.audible.com
Title: AFTERSHOCK: A Collection of Survivor Tales
Authors: Valerie and Kristopher Lioudis
Type of Book: AUDIOBOOK – Unabridged
Narrator: Daniel Rose
Length: 7 hours and 28 minutes
Genre: Horror, Post-Apocalyptic Fiction, Zombie Fiction
Release Date: August 27, 2015
Publisher: Valerie Lioudis
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~ I received a free copy of this audiobook through AudioBookBlast in exchange for an honest review.
**This book contains explicit language and violence and is not suitable for listeners under the age of 16**
This audiobook alternates between the survival stories of several people after a virus decimates the world’s population. Most people are either dead or have turned into “Moaners” (zombies).
This is the same storyline that almost every zombie novel adheres to; at least that is what I thought at first.
Then comes the twist. Several survivors have one thing in common and that trait may just be the key to humanity’s survival.
There are problems however. The survivors may be able to either outrun or outgun the Moaners, but what about other survivors?
It is unfortunate, but there is one universal truth that is highlighted in apocalyptic fiction. Not unfortunate that it is included in the story, but because it is so realistic. That truth is that there are always people who will exploit any situation to their own personal benefit. This is as true in real life as it is in fiction. You need only to look at the price gouging that took place after Hurricane Katrina to find a real-life example of this concept. That is a very mild version of people doing bad things – the instances in this book are worse, much worse.
Each section or chapter of this book focuses on a specific survivor. My favourite parts were those that told the story of Max and Rocky. Max is a pre-teen and out of necessity he has had to grow up almost overnight. Fortunately for him, his dog Rocky is his constant companion. It is impossible as a parent not to root for the child to survive. And, of course, I love dogs so I wanted Rocky to survive as well. It is obvious that the authors are dog lovers because they really nailed the bond that develops between a boy and his dog.
This audiobook stands out from other zombie novels because of the author’s incredible character development. There is a priest who has lost his faith. This to me makes him seem more real. In other books of this genre you often see religious characters that are so devout that even the walking dead are unable to shake their faith. Pardon my French, but BULLS**T. How could anyone not question their belief in a higher power when people are returning to ‘life’ after death and are attacking and eating anyone who is not yet infected with the virus?
Then, there is Daniel. He’s a soldier who was left behind by his unit. I guess the “No Man Left Behind” credo does not apply in the Zombie Apocalypse. There are other terrific characters, but I don’t want this review to be too long, so you will have to buy a copy of this audiobook to find out about the rest of them.
The narrator for this audiobook, Daniel Rose, did an absolutely outstanding job of narrating the male voices. In fact, he did such a great job that I would recommend to the author that he keep this same narrator throughout the series. However, the one complaint I do have regarding the narration is that the chapters that focused on female survivors were also narrated by the same person – a male. Daniel Rose has such a wonderfully rich, deep and masculine voice that it would have have been preferable to have a second narrator; a female, to read those particular chapters. I think that if there were both a male and a female narrator that this audiobook would be a chart-topper in it’s genre.
My favourite quote from this book is: “You can have all the supplies in the world, but if you can’t trust the group you’re with; you’re dead. It’s that simple.”
I enjoyed this audiobook and I do intend to listen to the next book in the series, especially since the ending of this one was a cliffhanger. I am interested to see what direction the survivors are headed and if all the separate groups and individuals will eventually end up together.
I rate AFTERSHOCK as 4 out of 5 stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The only reason I did not rate it as 5 stars was due to the lack of a female narrator.
- ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
Father of six from the South Jersey Shore, Kris has always had a love for writing, horror and zombie fiction, and absurd, inappropriate humor. He co-wrote his first full-length novel, Aftershock: A Collection of Survivors’ Tales, with his total MILF of a wife Valerie. The two now live in the Pine Barrens with their pile of children and enough stockpiled Nerf weapons to take down an army of the undead.
More information about him and his books can be found here:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10684738.Kristopher_Lioudis
https://twitter.com/NotUnamused
VALERIE LIOUDIS 
Valerie was born and bred in New Jersey. She is what people refer to as a “Creative Soul”.
Valerie is afraid of just about everything so she turns to zombie movies and books to hash out what she would do to survive if the apocalypse ever hits New Jersey.
Valerie is the mother of SIX (yes, you read that correctly) kids. They range in age from a newborn to teenagers so she has had to become a multitasking master.
More information about her and her books can be found here:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10684737.Valerie_Lioudis
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