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  • Plague of the Dead

  • The Morningstar Strain, Book 1
  • By: Z. A. Recht
  • Narrated by: Oliver Wyman
  • Length: 10 hrs and 55 mins
  • 4.0 out of 5 stars (3,048 ratings)

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Plague of the Dead  By  cover art

Plague of the Dead

By: Z. A. Recht
Narrated by: Oliver Wyman
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Publisher's summary

The end begins with a viral outbreak unlike anything mankind has ever encountered before. The infected are subject to delirium, fever, a dramatic increase in violent behavior, and a one-hundred percent mortality rate. Death. But it doesn't end there. The victims return from death to walk the earth.

When a massive military operation fails to contain the plague of the living dead it escalates into a global pandemic. In one fell swoop, the necessities of life become much more basic. Gone are petty everyday concerns. Gone are the amenities of civilized life. Yet a single law of nature remains: Live, or die. Kill, or be killed. On one side of the world, a battle-hardened General surveys the remnants of his command: a young medic, a veteran photographer, a brash Private, and dozens of refugees, all are his responsibility-all thousands of miles from home. Back in the United States, an Army Colonel discovers the darker side of Morningstar virus and begins to collaborate with a well-known journalist to leak the information to the public...The Morningstar Saga has begun.

©2006 Z.A. Recht (P)2009 Audible, Inc.

Featured Article: Mmmm, Brains...Satisfy Your Cravings with the 20 Best Zombie Audiobooks Ever


Zombies have been a potent cultural force for decades. Something about the concept of a ragtag crew of survivors facing off against endless masses of shuffling brain-munchers really seems to speak to people! There are hundreds, if not thousands, of zombie-themed stories out there. But which ones are the very best? And which zombie audiobooks will have you double-checking the locks and sleeping with a baseball bat next to your bed?

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What listeners say about Plague of the Dead

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,309
  • 4 Stars
    957
  • 3 Stars
    492
  • 2 Stars
    178
  • 1 Stars
    112
Performance
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,234
  • 4 Stars
    742
  • 3 Stars
    313
  • 2 Stars
    84
  • 1 Stars
    51
Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,071
  • 4 Stars
    704
  • 3 Stars
    411
  • 2 Stars
    141
  • 1 Stars
    99

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

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Great read! I listened to the seond immediately after the first. Waiting on the third! Enjoy!

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

WOW

Absolutely loved this book and the narration was superb.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

5 STARS

I read the reviews before i bought this book and i wasnt expecting much from this book other then to listen to something other then music, But i found that the bad reviews i read were not right at all..Yes there was some silly bits but i mean without the funny bits whats the point of just listening to a book that doesnt make you laugh at times?? the book was well written and well read :) all of the characters added there own spice through out the book :) 5 STARS!!!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Good story.

Hey I love zombie books, movies, etc... and I'm pretty picky. This one held my attention and was a good listen. I can't wait for the sequel.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Awesome Series

This is such a great book and start to a great series. Have listened and read this series several times. AUDIBLE 20 REVIEW SWEEPSTAKES ENTRY

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Predictable from start to finish

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Probably not. This story does not offer anything significantly different or more exciting than the boatload of other zombie fiction out there.

What was most disappointing about Z. A. Recht’s story?

Story was predictable, not engaging, I never really started to care what happened to the characters. Not that being predictable is a complete deal-breaker... I've seen plenty of movies where I knew exactly what was about to happen, but still enjoyed the experience. That was not the case here. There was nothing particularly exciting or suspenseful to really engage me in the story.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Not just one but two types of Zombies, Live=Run

ZA really tells the story of how a Plague could overtake the planet. His Two types of zombies are original, you'll love it as they add a twisted detention to the story.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

great story

great story great narrator
This is one of the better story / narration combos I've heard. I can't wait to delve into the next story.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A awesome beginning

Wonderful characters a frightful stories in a venture that you can't wake to continual A must buy

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Wait. What? No way, really?

Way too many inconsistencies in this book. While the action and drama were pretty good, the scenarios that set them up were unbelievable and distracting. Career military officers that don’t know a thing about tactics, strategy or planning, let alone how to run a military op. People needlessly exposing themselves to blood when they know the virus is blood borne. And, characters consistently choosing the really bad options, it’s a wonder any of these people survived long enough to make it to the second or third book. (Which, by the way don’t get any better - actually worse).

If you’re able to completely forgo logic and common sense and avoid thinking “what would I do” (because it wouldn’t be what the characters in this book do), you might enjoy the listen. Otherwise, the incongruities are really distracting and hard to stomach.

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