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brandondorf's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
terminalfin's review
5.0
Already on to book 2 of this amazing series. As is my history with Nick's writing, I am absolutely addicted to his style of storytelling (and that of Bronson Pinchot's narration as I am listened to the audible edition of this book).
Book two takes place in a situation where team ghost and the survivors across the world, to include Plum Island, must now figure out how to deal with the variants created by the bio-weapon designed by Dr. Lovato which was designed to eradicate the Hemorrhage virus. After all, “to kill a monster you have to create a monster.” The modified VX-99/Ebola virus combo which infected humanity has now been modified once more resulting in some truly terrifying sounding creatures.
The research into military culture which Mr. Smith has done for this series is truly admirable. I love the shout-out to the wounded warriors out there in this series. I also greatly enjoy the from-the-front leadership style of Beckham and how he seeks to continue to encourage his team and the other members of Plum Island to continue to fight for humanity (they fight so humanity survives. For those who have read Hell Divers, do you see what I did there?)
The details that went into the fight between those at Plum Island, the members of Team Ghost, and CENTCOM really hits home as it highlights a key aspect of military life; the battle between those on the ground doing the fighting and those making the decisions. While not taken to the extremes seen in the book, some of it hit home for me. Operation Liberty fails miserably, despite warnings from the experts who are studying the variants and those infected with the hemorrhage virus, and Team Ghost is left to pick up the pieces.
I will say the most memorable portion of this entry in the series was the opening side story which expanded later in the book. The encounter in the lair was truly horrifying and gave me an Aliens style vibe akin to when the team on LV-426 first encountered those which had been cocooned. And, once again, the way the lips/mouths morph for these creatures is perhaps one of their most terrifying characteristics.
Book two was just as good, if not better than, the first and I am really glad I got to dive into this series.
Book two takes place in a situation where team ghost and the survivors across the world, to include Plum Island, must now figure out how to deal with the variants created by the bio-weapon designed by Dr. Lovato which was designed to eradicate the Hemorrhage virus. After all, “to kill a monster you have to create a monster.” The modified VX-99/Ebola virus combo which infected humanity has now been modified once more resulting in some truly terrifying sounding creatures.
The research into military culture which Mr. Smith has done for this series is truly admirable. I love the shout-out to the wounded warriors out there in this series. I also greatly enjoy the from-the-front leadership style of Beckham and how he seeks to continue to encourage his team and the other members of Plum Island to continue to fight for humanity (they fight so humanity survives. For those who have read Hell Divers, do you see what I did there?)
The details that went into the fight between those at Plum Island, the members of Team Ghost, and CENTCOM really hits home as it highlights a key aspect of military life; the battle between those on the ground doing the fighting and those making the decisions. While not taken to the extremes seen in the book, some of it hit home for me. Operation Liberty fails miserably, despite warnings from the experts who are studying the variants and those infected with the hemorrhage virus, and Team Ghost is left to pick up the pieces.
I will say the most memorable portion of this entry in the series was the opening side story which expanded later in the book. The encounter in the lair was truly horrifying and gave me an Aliens style vibe akin to when the team on LV-426 first encountered those which had been cocooned. And, once again, the way the lips/mouths morph for these creatures is perhaps one of their most terrifying characteristics.
Book two was just as good, if not better than, the first and I am really glad I got to dive into this series.
vikingwolf's review
5.0
Kate's bioweapon has killed 90% of the infected population but the others are turning into a variant kind of creature who is more intelligent, more dangerous and more lethal. Kate is horrified by the prospect that ground forces are being sent into the cities to kill the variants, including Team Ghost into New York. She and Ellis think they are going to need another bioweapon to kill the remaining variants and get to work on it.
Beckham and Horn are given permission to go back to Fort Bragg to look for survivors but they are overwhelmed by the amount of monsters in their path and ammunition is in short supply. Rescue comes at the hands of Chow and Jinx with four army rangers, who take them into the tunnels where the survivors are hiding. Horn is about to find out the fate of his wife and children and everyone who was at Fort Bragg when the zombies attacked. Now they are going to need to call for extraction and hope that all of them can make it to the incoming helicopters alive. Seeing a variant who seems to be giving orders to the rest is deeply troubling...
The mission to clear out the cities is about to begin but Kate fears that the number of variants has been badly underestimated but nobody seems prepared to listen to her. As she watches Jensen and Team Ghost prepare for the mission, she fears that a disaster is brewing. But Plum Island itself is going to face it's own problems with an incoming helicopter...
I loved the introduction of the new characters Chow, Jinx and Fitz after losing several members of Team Ghost in the first book. Fitz was a soldier until losing two legs in combat in the Middle East and has been feeling somewhat ignored and useless. When Beckham and Horn arrive and give him weapons so he can fight the zombies, Fitz is given a new purpose and finally feels he can contribute to the war effort. I love his character and I'm looking forward to seeing what they do.
We are also following a side story of Meg, Jed and Rex who are trapped in a New York firehouse, hiding from the prowling variants in a basement. They witnessed the extraction of Beckham's team from the city and Meg thinks if they can get closer to that area, there is a chance that they might be spotted and rescued. Rex is frightened by the prospect of going out into the open and being attacked by the variants but the packs are getting too close to their hiding place, leaving them little option. As they leave the safety of their hideout, they are ready for trouble.
The fast pace of the story continues in this book which is what makes it such a great read. Team Ghost face several very dangerous situations which leaves your heart in your mouth as you fear for their survival. I love the characters and the plot, and the twist of the bioweapon turning some into this feared new strain was great for the story. I recommend it to fans of zombie books and who like apocalypse books.
Beckham and Horn are given permission to go back to Fort Bragg to look for survivors but they are overwhelmed by the amount of monsters in their path and ammunition is in short supply. Rescue comes at the hands of Chow and Jinx with four army rangers, who take them into the tunnels where the survivors are hiding. Horn is about to find out the fate of his wife and children and everyone who was at Fort Bragg when the zombies attacked. Now they are going to need to call for extraction and hope that all of them can make it to the incoming helicopters alive. Seeing a variant who seems to be giving orders to the rest is deeply troubling...
The mission to clear out the cities is about to begin but Kate fears that the number of variants has been badly underestimated but nobody seems prepared to listen to her. As she watches Jensen and Team Ghost prepare for the mission, she fears that a disaster is brewing. But Plum Island itself is going to face it's own problems with an incoming helicopter...
I loved the introduction of the new characters Chow, Jinx and Fitz after losing several members of Team Ghost in the first book. Fitz was a soldier until losing two legs in combat in the Middle East and has been feeling somewhat ignored and useless. When Beckham and Horn arrive and give him weapons so he can fight the zombies, Fitz is given a new purpose and finally feels he can contribute to the war effort. I love his character and I'm looking forward to seeing what they do.
We are also following a side story of Meg, Jed and Rex who are trapped in a New York firehouse, hiding from the prowling variants in a basement. They witnessed the extraction of Beckham's team from the city and Meg thinks if they can get closer to that area, there is a chance that they might be spotted and rescued. Rex is frightened by the prospect of going out into the open and being attacked by the variants but the packs are getting too close to their hiding place, leaving them little option. As they leave the safety of their hideout, they are ready for trouble.
The fast pace of the story continues in this book which is what makes it such a great read. Team Ghost face several very dangerous situations which leaves your heart in your mouth as you fear for their survival. I love the characters and the plot, and the twist of the bioweapon turning some into this feared new strain was great for the story. I recommend it to fans of zombie books and who like apocalypse books.
beingshort's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
wzwy's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
whisk3ytang0foxtr0t's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
camdent13's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
mommyladycpa's review
4.0
Read after skipping around and reading book 4 and enjoying it so much that I wanted to read more of the back story. Epic read when taken as a whole series.