V.L. Dreyer

Finally, the Zombie Apocalypse story I've been waiting to read!! This is an incredibly well written story that is not all about slashing zombies to live. There are zombies, and zombies as you have never seen before, very awesome, creepy and scary. But they do not take center stage and overpower the story for once. This amazing book follows the emotional journey of a young teen into her adulthood showing HOW she survives. What she endures, encounters, the real nitty gritty of what would happen next that is lacking in most apocalyptic tales. There is a realism in the characters in the book that is so often lost in apocalyptic storytelling. This girl/woman is not a superhero nor does she have paranormal powers. She is a real, believable quirky 'heroine' made strong through her having to face the end of the world as a high school senior and grow up or die. It was very easy to become emotionally invested in this story. I admit, I do not remember having ever cried so much in a zombie book before. This story has something that will appeal to all readers, not just fans of zombies, there is true drama, some romance, thrills, terror and of course the apocalypse. This book has become one of two Apocalypse books that are my favorites.
I cannot wait for the next installments to come out !



… (plus d'informations)

A fast, fun, sexy read.

Claudia is smart, sexy, and driven. She takes the job at Cornelius Pharmaceuticals not only because it's a good step in her career, but because she thinks it may help her learn more about her mysterious father.

It does, but not in the way she expected; nor did she expect to fall for co-worker and member of the Cabal Luke Cavenelli. His job was to seduce Claudia, but he finds himself wanting not only to seduce her, but to love and protect her, even if it puts his own life in danger.

The author does an excellent job of world building by giving us the world we know - then flipping it. We're introduced to the rules of the new world of The Immortelles a little at a time, rather than page after page of exposition. Claudia and Luke are both interesting, likeable characters; their chemistry is smokin' hot, and the sex scenes are very well written.

My only quibble was at the end. After a very satisfying climax, there was an epilogue, but rather than a quick taste of what happens to Claudia and Luke next, it dragged. Pages and pages TELLING, with very little dialogue, though I loved the dialogue where it appeared. It didn't move with the same snappy pace as the rest of the book, nor of the snippets from the next books in the Immortelle universe, which have me completely eager to read them.… (plus d'informations)

Sandy rocks. Let’s establish that. A young woman who spent her transition years of teenager to adulthood in the midst of a undead apocalypse. It’s a touch of I am Legend meets Castaway. Yes, I said Castaway, because Sandy is resourceful. She doesn’t rely on schooling or brains, she relies on instinct and that is what got her to survive for ten years.

She is a loner and we know through her attitude and narrative that she has learned the hard way not to trust. She’s been used and abused and pretty much said, “heck with it, I’m taking this world alone.’ Which she has done quite well. She carries empathy for the undead, even using names to remind, perhaps herself , that they were human at one time.

When we meet her, Sandy has her survival needs down pat and a routine. Even to the point of being anal retentive about cleanliness. Ms. Dreyer does an excellent job of characterization. We get to know her, vision her, care and often cringe for her. I loved the flashbacks of how it all went down. I really liked when the flashbacks started, because Sandy was so darned normal. She’s not a military genius nor does the author feel the need to impress us with weaponry knowledge. The story stays true to what the character knows and has learned. Kudos. A good job by Ms. Dreyer. The story is strong and it focuses on the human side instead of the events. That makes a good, strong story in my opinion. I quite enjoyed it.

So why did I give it three and a half stars?

Ms. Dreyer has a gift of gab, and while she can pen well what she writes, sometimes she will over write. I don’t mean deeply describing a scene. I mean there were times where it took a bit of time to reach a point, writing about every little thing the character witnessed. Some things were not important. A good example was the cleaning of the apartment. Although, I believe that’s a matter of taste. Some readers enjoy that much information; personally it was a tough for me. Where she could have written more, she didn’t. Like the flashbacks.

My other reason – She dated herself. I don’t mean, Ms. Dreyer dined alone and went to see a movie. Her novel is full of current references of today. Yes, the book takes place in ten years, but she is specific about ten years from now, right now. Even giving the date of this year (2013), that alone takes away from the fear aspect. December, 2013 is here and almost gone. Just like no one really cares about the movie, 2012 anymore (If they ever did) or likes being scared of anything with 2012. It lost its appeal. I know her book was aimed to move, more than scare, but I want that realistic fear instilled into me, that can only happen if I am looking at a ‘what if’ situation with no dates. Stephen King has once said the worst mistake he made was putting a date of 1984 in The Stand. Something he has since gone back and changed. While Survivors is ten years in the future, I strongly believe this novel can be read long past ten years from now and into another generation who may not know what Zombieland is.

That being said, I personally enjoyed the novel and even more so as it went on. There are a couple of things that transpire that are awesome, but I can’t divulge them because it would just ruin it for you. Her foreshowing is so nicely done, you don’t see it coming. I will say this, Sandy meets up with a group of survivors that completely changes her outlook. The character of Michael is brilliant.

Ms. Dreyer does an awesome job of crafting an original story. And it really is a solid, original story. She adds a twist with the zombies that I personally loved. This is a book I would recommend and look forward to the sequel.

Visit www.bookie-monster.com to read the full review. Review submitted by TBM team member Jacqueline Druga.… (plus d'informations)

Read from September 30 to October 07, 2013

The Survivors Book 1: Summer
The Survivors
by V.L. Dreyer

Given by author for an honest review.

Wow! This is my first Apocalyptic/Dystopian read. I have to say, I think I may be completely hooked!
This was an emotional roller-coaster. I was left basically sitting on the edge of my seat, digging my nails into the arm of my chair, to having a box of Kleenex always near. Thank you V.L. Dreyer for the heart stopping, heart pounding, tears running and feelings of hope.

Sandy McDermott has to learn to survive in a virus savaged world. She is the last one left out of her family.

A new strain of the Ebola virus has made it's way around the world, leaving few "survivors" in it's aftermath.

Believing that she can't trust other survivors, due to early experiences with them, she stays to herself. She gets along just fine on her own, or so she thinks. Then, she meets up with more survivors. Can they be trusted? Can she learn to trust again?

Join Sandy in a world where there are few resources and even fewer people. Where the zombies are no threat, but there is plenty to be afraid of.

V.L. Dreyer has done an excellent job ob painting a world ravished by death and the need/will to survive.

As a new reader to this genre, I highly recommend this book. I am sure the ones to follow will be just as riveting as this one.… (plus d'informations)