Gnash

Washington, Dead City, Book 1

By: Brian Parker

Narrated by: Andrew B. Wehrlen

Length: 9 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

An ancient fundamentalist organization executes several attacks simultaneously across the globe. A deadly viral compound is unleashed in the Pentagon, and the airborne virus turns the building's population into zombies. A Secret Service agent, coerced by the terrorists to assassinate several heads of state, sends the world into chaos.

Meanwhile, a former army officer stranded in the Midwest is forced to fight for his life while his fiancé is trapped in the Washington, DC quarantine zone and a desperate US Army Delta team searches for a way to end the madness.

They must each fight for their own survival as the nation battles to end the zombie threat before it becomes a global pandemic.

©2019 Brian Parker (P)2019 Muddy Boots Press, LLC

Solid start.

Gnash is a solid start to what I hope becomes a good Zombie series. The plots' pacing was steady and had some unique elements to it, which is hard to do in this genre, and it was an enjoyable read overall but there was just something missing from it that stopped me from really enjoying this.

A terrorist organisation has been waiting for the day it could take down their enemies, and unfortunately for everyone, it has come about. In coordinated attacks, this organisation manages to kill multiple world leaders and unleash a virus that will change everything. With the world in turmoil after the assassinations, it only gets worse when the virus that was unleashed in the Pentagon reanimates the people it killed. The US Government has sealed off the Pentagon in the hopes they can prevent the virus from spreading, but life (or in this case Undead life) will find a way, and before people know what's happening, the dead are rising and the virus is spreading rapidly.

One thing I really liked about the plot was that there are two types of zombies. The first ones, type A, are the ones who were reanimated in the Pentagon, these ones are faster, smarter and more lethal than the ones they infected. The ones infected by the first ones, type B, are the typical shambling Zombies and are plentiful. It added a little something unique to the story, though I don't think we got to see enough of the type A Zombies!! But it doesn't just focus on the Zombies, America is also dealing with a nuclear strike from France and different groups trying to benefit from the misery that is happening.

What stopped me from enjoying this more was the fact that I didn't connect with the characters. I felt like there wasn't time to connect with them because it seemed to jump from one to the next rather quickly. I also felt like both the characters moved on way too fast. I know they think each other dead, but to move on so quickly felt wrong. Another thing I found was that the plot wasn't expanded upon, and by that I mean, I would have liked more on the terrorist organisation... something happens that felt rushed and was a big let down for me, and the Zombie type A. The author intrigues with the type A ones, but there is very little about them or encounters with them in this one. I can only hope we get more in future books!

In all, I enjoyed this and I will continue on with the series to see what happens.

Andrew B. Wehrlen was clear, easy to follow and read this well. He has great tones for the females which doesn't sound forced and he was able to bring the story alive. I thoroughly enjoyed his performance.

I was given this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. This in no way affected nor influenced my thoughts.

Good story but....

This was a good story, and I enjoyed it for the most part, however it felt like Parker shoehorned in political digs (against gun control, liberals, anti-military, etc.) for no reason other than to put them in and it took me out of the story a couple times even when I agreed with the sentiment he was trying to get across just because they simply didn't need to be present. I would have rated higher without the distraction.

The premise of an ancient group responsible for the outbreak, that other groups were fronts for it was unique and enjoyable if under-utilized in my opinion. I enjoyed the book over-all and will likely check for others in the series.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review thanks to Audioboom

Gnash Washington Dead City 1

This is not your normal zombie book, this is a man made virus(?), nukes included. The book follows a couple, Emory who is still in the city which turns into ground zero and, Grayson, Emory's fiance, who was on a business trip in the mid-west when everything hits, and their story from there.

This is a awesome book and audio, the action doesn't even stop in the last chapter. The narrator draws you into the story and has you staying in your car or whatever to hear just a bit more. This is a really good book and worth a try, I can't wait to dig into the next book of the series.

Up All Night!

I'm a disabled vet and I read * a lot *. I also have over 500 books in my Audible library. I typically fall asleep with an Audible book playing in an earbud so I don't have to listen to the tinnitus hum in my right ear. I couldn't do that with this book. This is the first mil-zomb novel that has kept me up at night. Not because it's scary.. though it has that in spades. It kept me up because it's just so well written and held my interest too much to allow me to sleep. This author is *good*. I hesitate to say that he's too good of a writer for this genre. I know, I know.. mil-zomb is a viable genre and should be respected, I agree. However, this author could be doing mainstream work and making a million. He's really that good of a writer. I'm glad he's humble enough to feed my mil-zomb monkey. Reaching out for book 2 right now, like a "twosie" seeking flesh.

Wow

This is a page turner from start to finish. This series is going to keep you on the edge of your seat and I can’t wait for the next installment. On par for sure with accuracy of potential events that could happen. Love the character building.

Zombie Awesomeness!!!

Another great Zombie book for the genre. This is an action packed story that was a blast to listen. Plus Andrew B. Wehrlen is becoming one of my favorite narrators.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Excellent book

Different from all the rest.... great read and worth the time and money.. Narration was great. Great job in bringing characters to life and dragging you in. Hope there is another book!

Its only the first book so ?

Im hoping that it gets going once i start the next book (2) . it wasnt that bad just didnt get going like in other series with multiple books so even though its not a super violent detailed juggernaut like the big AP s out there im hoping it gets to what im looking for ( see book 2 eval when i post it ) .

Those darn fundamentalists!

Those darn fundamentalists are at it again. This time they’ve orchestrated widespread terror across the globe executing several events on the anniversary of something or another. The worst cases involve executing several heads of state at a G8 meeting while setting a virus loose in the Pentagon. The virus gets out of hand creating thousands of zombie-like beings that escape into the city. A misguided attempt at controlling the situation involves a nuclear warhead. The over-reaction doesn’t finish the job and only makes matters worse. We have one character trapped in the fallout path making the best of a bad situation, while his fiancée is stuck in a refugee camp outside of Washington doing the same thing. The story feels a bit long-winded in the beginning, but it gets much better as Delta moves into the city to clear out the infected. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Reminiscent of Nicholas Sansbury Smith

I've only discovered this author in the past month and I'm loving him! His writing is very similar to Nicholas Sansbury Smith, whom I love.
I can't say anything bad about Gnash. There's a terrorist attack where the virus is released in Washington DC. The story line was detailed and well thought out. The zombies aren't your typical zombies. The initial zombies are smarter and they can control the second round of zombies. That was a unique aspect. The only thing that I was hoping would be different is the love story. (Die hard zombie fans, don't worry, this is no love story!) There's just a relationship within the story that I was hoping would go a different way at the end. There are 2 more books. So you never know! ;)
The narrator was perfect! He did a good job with the females' voices also.
I already have book 2 downloaded and am starting it now.