Undead Chaos

By: Joshua Roots

Narrated by: William Dufris

Length: 9 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

The job was simple: decapitate the zombie, get paid, get out. Warlock Marcus Shifter followed the plan perfectly. The corpse, however, did not. Now there's a body on the loose, accusations of illegal necromancy are flying, and the answers are waiting in the perilous alleys between the mortal and paranormal worlds. They're no place for someone who mostly gave up magic after a childhood accident. And given his tendency to shoot off his mouth and his Glock, Marcus is having a hell of a time digging up more than just bodies.

When an apocalypse-minded megalomaniac threatens Marcus's family, things get personal. Marcus will have to embrace the magic he's been avoiding for years - and even that might not be enough to save the world from a hellish demise.

©2013 Joshua Roots (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Dresden Lite

If you enjoyed the Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher you might enjoy this book too. It has its flaws; I didn’t much care for the badguy and I found myself cursing Marcus’s stupidity at the end, but all in all it was thoroughly enjoyable listen with an excellent narrator (apart from some horrible sound effects in the end.) I look forward to more from this author and will make sure look him up on Goodreads.

Surprisingly enjoyable

What other book might you compare Undead Chaos to and why?

I must say that when the story opened, I thought I was going to be reading a take off of Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden series. I really worried about it for a couple of chapters and then the characters and the action took on a life of their own. This book does stand on its own merits and provided enjoyment and an interesting plot.

Good story

This is a good book. I enjoyed this meeting of a magical world meeting the normal world. The setting of these two worlds trying to integrate after centuries of hate, mistrust and persecution is good. The story flows together well. William Dufris does an excellent job reading this book. He made the characters come alive. His voice fit my idea of what the main supporting characters would sound like. It is also obvious that he is enjoying himself. It comes through in the book. I enjoyed what happened to the zombie met in the first chapter. There are a few confusing things I hope get cleared up in future books. The main character uses gold to pay for things, story is set in USA, Virginia and DC are. It also is not clear at what age Marcus has his traumatic event that caused him to give up magic. I hope this gets clarified in future too.

its ok.

the story is alright, the narrator sounds like he has a headcold, but its ok.

Pretty good "beach" book

I downloaded this book after checking out the reviews on Amazon and the reviews were not wrong! The protagonist, Marcus Shifter, is a warlock and prodigal son/heir apparent to his parents who are well respected powerful warlocks themselves who belong to a council that protects mortals from supernatural threats. Marcus Shifter(who does not belong to any council) is basically a "problem solver" who hires himself out dealing with anything magical/supernatural. This is a "well-humored" light read with a very likeable protagonist in Marcus Shifter who is quick with the sarcasm and never takes himself too seriously.
This book reminds me a lot of the "Dresden Files" but on a much smaller scale. I think comparing the two head to head wouldn't be fair to "Undead Chaos"- they are not in the same league. Having said that this is a really "fun" book that's a great way to kill 9 hours and 48 minutes. By the way the narration was fantastic! William Dufris did a great job. I think Joshua Roots in on to something and although it does not state that this is book one I hope he writes a sequel. Well worth the 12 dollars you guys. Check it out!


To anyone who cares: don't let the cover art fool you, this is not a hardcore violent story. Yes, there are obviously some elements of violence but this is more a "light hearted" book with some genuine "feel good" moments.

Alright

If you like Dresden then you will enjoy this book. Saying that you will not find anything new. You have a Warlock who comes from a powerful family, has untapped potential (of course it is confirmed from a crises situations) and he has a bleeding heart. He picks up a posse along the way with the mission to right the wrongs of the magic world. Yes there is action and may occasions Marcus will pull a punch, refrain from shooting someone dead, or give first aid to someone he just shot. His family is more hands on when compared to Dresden’s. Marcus has more of an unfriendly relationship with the warlock council verses hostile.

The difference between Dresden and Marcus is the underground world of the “others.” This separation comes with the stigma that all who live underground and soo bad. Of course our bleeding heart does not feel that way. Did I say there is action? Yep, even though Marcus is on his butt a lot. I will read book two now that relationships and such are build. Yes it is worth the credit. Oh I love the bees. Listen and you will know.

I did not give a higher rating because the narrator did not appeal to me.

Worse narrator ever

I might have been able to listen to this rip-off of the Dresden Files if the narrator was at least average

Worst case of overacting by a narrator.

Would you try another book from Joshua Roots and/or William Dufris?

Nope

Has Undead Chaos turned you off from other books in this genre?

Not quite

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of William Dufris?

ANYONE, HE OVERACTED EVERY WORD the voices of different characters were almost undecipherable from the main which was often so erratic you couldn't understand the mindset.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Anger, disappointment, mostly frustration

Any additional comments?

Other than the main character having no concern or respect for his parents the author felt it was important to have Bees as a significant role...really!? Bees?!

Wholly disappointing

So much potential, so little used. Definitely pass on this. It was so boring and pointless I didn't care to finish it, which is rare for me.