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robivy's review
5.0
4.5 stars, which definitely rounds up when the whole series is considered. The author did a great job of wrapping up the series in a suspenseful and plausible manner, and even managed to throw in a couple of surprises that I didn't see coming. Great series, and I hope to see more in the future from Mr. Molles.
graff_fuller's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
4.25
The last book stuck the landing. Thank you.
The main character, Captain Lee Harden...may not have been loved by everyone, but...I think he won over a LOT of readers...by what he went through...to get to the end.
Saying THAT (above), this story (six novels and two novellas) told more stories than JUST about Cpt. Harden.
The supporting characters, and some might say...an unsung hero of the story is Angela. Loved her character growth...along with Sam and Abby.
Nearing the end...there were a few characters that I loved, but didn't like THEM (in world) and their choices. Glad to see that I was wrong on both of them...that they DID get the story ending tie-up.
Overall, this was a book/series that pushed me out of my comfort zone. The Horror and gore element, just isn't my NORMAL vibe. I was brought to the story by the military aspects, but ACTUALLY stayed because of how cruel the world was, and that it didn't shy away from the despicable portions of humanity. I read the first four books BEFORE the COVID-19 pandemic, and obviously reread (those four books and one novella) and then read the last two books and one novella after the pandemic. Our pandeimic, though a LOT less impactful to the overall population of the US, hit differently afterwards, than it had previously.
I really enjoyed this series. I'm now wondering IF the story will stay with me...like it had on the previous read. Some books just stay with you.
The main character, Captain Lee Harden...may not have been loved by everyone, but...I think he won over a LOT of readers...by what he went through...to get to the end.
Saying THAT (above), this story (six novels and two novellas) told more stories than JUST about Cpt. Harden.
The supporting characters, and some might say...an unsung hero of the story is Angela. Loved her character growth...along with Sam and Abby.
Nearing the end...there were a few characters that I loved, but didn't like THEM (in world) and their choices. Glad to see that I was wrong on both of them...that they DID get the story ending tie-up.
Overall, this was a book/series that pushed me out of my comfort zone. The Horror and gore element, just isn't my NORMAL vibe. I was brought to the story by the military aspects, but ACTUALLY stayed because of how cruel the world was, and that it didn't shy away from the despicable portions of humanity. I read the first four books BEFORE the COVID-19 pandemic, and obviously reread (those four books and one novella) and then read the last two books and one novella after the pandemic. Our pandeimic, though a LOT less impactful to the overall population of the US, hit differently afterwards, than it had previously.
I really enjoyed this series. I'm now wondering IF the story will stay with me...like it had on the previous read. Some books just stay with you.
scottpm's review
5.0
Great end to the series and as usual not everything went right. I almost wish there was going to be more, but it's nice to see something end as well.
vignesh_sk94's review
3.0
After 6 books, i felt the dialogues were getting boring and redundant.
Lee Harden continuing to feel guilty was unnecessary.
He was a good guy, doing good things. There was no reason to feel guilt for his actions.
There was nothing new offered in this book. The ending was pretty much obvious.
And just like books 2 & 3, there are juicy betrayals planted in this book too. So enjoy that.
Happy reading !
Lee Harden continuing to feel guilty was unnecessary.
He was a good guy, doing good things. There was no reason to feel guilt for his actions.
There was nothing new offered in this book. The ending was pretty much obvious.
And just like books 2 & 3, there are juicy betrayals planted in this book too. So enjoy that.
Happy reading !
jaymeks's review against another edition
3.0
Well, this was the end, and it took me a long time to get there. With all the distractions of the holidays lately, and with great TV coming out (I'm looking at you, Jessica Jones), I just didn't have the umph to finish this book. Maybe it's because I hate endings. Maybe it was distractions. Who knows, but I'm glad I got to the end.
I thought this particular book was the best written out of all of them. It flowed, it ebbed, and it did a real good job of wrapping up a lot of loose ends. Was it the best book I've ever read? Well, no, but it was damn entertaining and I can't fault it for that. These books were very aware that they weren't great literature, and were better because of that. They were like a great summer action flick: guns, explosions, decent characters, and writing that told a good story. Nothing revolutionary, but still good, nonetheless.
The other reason I don't like endings is the lack of additional stories from the characters I've come to enjoy reading about. I liked Lee Harden's character arc. I liked his unwavering dedication to a cause. I didn't always like his decisions, but as the series developed, so did the talent of the writer. And it's also amazing what a good, professional editor will do for a story. Decisions were no longer plot devices, but instead felt like real world issues that were being worked out.
There were also great secondary characters. Come I wish weren't dead, and others that could have been killed and I wouldn't have shed a tear. But at the end of it all, not everyone can realistically survive, and I applaud Molles for having the balls to kill so many damn people.
Well, enough rambling. This was a good series, and I look forward to reading what DJ Molles has in the future.
I thought this particular book was the best written out of all of them. It flowed, it ebbed, and it did a real good job of wrapping up a lot of loose ends. Was it the best book I've ever read? Well, no, but it was damn entertaining and I can't fault it for that. These books were very aware that they weren't great literature, and were better because of that. They were like a great summer action flick: guns, explosions, decent characters, and writing that told a good story. Nothing revolutionary, but still good, nonetheless.
The other reason I don't like endings is the lack of additional stories from the characters I've come to enjoy reading about. I liked Lee Harden's character arc. I liked his unwavering dedication to a cause. I didn't always like his decisions, but as the series developed, so did the talent of the writer. And it's also amazing what a good, professional editor will do for a story. Decisions were no longer plot devices, but instead felt like real world issues that were being worked out.
There were also great secondary characters. Come I wish weren't dead, and others that could have been killed and I wouldn't have shed a tear. But at the end of it all, not everyone can realistically survive, and I applaud Molles for having the balls to kill so many damn people.
Well, enough rambling. This was a good series, and I look forward to reading what DJ Molles has in the future.
jdove's review against another edition
5.0
Took me just over 10 years to finish this series. Not because it was bad, but because life got in the way. Great series and I look forward to reading more of gis work.
ghostlydreamer's review
3.0
So unlike the previous few installments of this series, I actually do remember some things about this book. Not necessarily the plot, but the thoughts I had while reading it. Unfortunately, there's a reason this book got the lowest rating from me for the series, which is a shame considering it started off so strongly.
Here's the thing: I know it's been five years since I read this book, and I also know that Molles' has since continued the series. But at the time, this was it. This was supposed to be the last book. And generally, I am a fan of books with open-ended endings. I don't need a happy conclusion to tie everything together and make it worth it. In fact, an ending like that would have ruined the series because with a plot like this, you just can't expect everything to be rainbows and sunshine. That being said, by the time I got to this book, I kept thinking, "How the fuck is this going to wrap up? What kind of ending are we even going to get?" Because I knew going into this that there was no way everything would be solved by the end. That WOULD have been fine, if not for the fact that the ending felt rushed and incomplete. As I said, it's one thing to leave things open-ended. It's another thing entirely when it feels like the book/series ends and you're left stranded in the middle of an island with no way to get back home. You know what I mean? That was my problem with this book.
I am glad that Molles has continued, because there's a lot more that can be explored in this series that wasn't covered by the time we got to the end of this book. But I just remember feeling really let down by this ending. Thinking to myself, "That's it?" Getting within the last hundred pages of the book and thinking and thinking, "Are we sure this is the final book?" Because it just didn't seem like things were going to wrap up suitably.
And to be fair, I think by this time, I was a little burnt out on books like this. I'm not sure. It was a great series overall. But I made the mistake of reading this one and the last back to back, and I think by the end I was just a little bit tired, because the books were really starting to blur together for me. I might have enjoyed it a little bit more had I read it later on, but I don't think that could have saved the book. The incomplete ending bothered me, and I felt kind of irritated that I'd read six books and had gotten THAT, when it was clear to me that this series needed to be longer than just six books given the pace the previous books had started at. I have yet to read any of the books in the Lee Harden segment of this series, but I'll get there one day. It won't change my opinion of this book at the time that I read it, but maybe it will turn around my opinion of the series once I see a more satisfactory conclusion.
Here's the thing: I know it's been five years since I read this book, and I also know that Molles' has since continued the series. But at the time, this was it. This was supposed to be the last book. And generally, I am a fan of books with open-ended endings. I don't need a happy conclusion to tie everything together and make it worth it. In fact, an ending like that would have ruined the series because with a plot like this, you just can't expect everything to be rainbows and sunshine. That being said, by the time I got to this book, I kept thinking, "How the fuck is this going to wrap up? What kind of ending are we even going to get?" Because I knew going into this that there was no way everything would be solved by the end. That WOULD have been fine, if not for the fact that the ending felt rushed and incomplete. As I said, it's one thing to leave things open-ended. It's another thing entirely when it feels like the book/series ends and you're left stranded in the middle of an island with no way to get back home. You know what I mean? That was my problem with this book.
I am glad that Molles has continued, because there's a lot more that can be explored in this series that wasn't covered by the time we got to the end of this book. But I just remember feeling really let down by this ending. Thinking to myself, "That's it?" Getting within the last hundred pages of the book and thinking and thinking, "Are we sure this is the final book?" Because it just didn't seem like things were going to wrap up suitably.
And to be fair, I think by this time, I was a little burnt out on books like this. I'm not sure. It was a great series overall. But I made the mistake of reading this one and the last back to back, and I think by the end I was just a little bit tired, because the books were really starting to blur together for me. I might have enjoyed it a little bit more had I read it later on, but I don't think that could have saved the book. The incomplete ending bothered me, and I felt kind of irritated that I'd read six books and had gotten THAT, when it was clear to me that this series needed to be longer than just six books given the pace the previous books had started at. I have yet to read any of the books in the Lee Harden segment of this series, but I'll get there one day. It won't change my opinion of this book at the time that I read it, but maybe it will turn around my opinion of the series once I see a more satisfactory conclusion.
trish204's review
3.0
So this is the end. Hmmm. Probably better this way.
As already mentioned at the beginning of my review for the previous / penultimate novel of this series, I used to be a fan. Then the indie-author got a deal with a publisher and not only the gorgeous covers of the books changed after that, sadly. It's as if he was compelled to stretch the story as much as possible or even take another direction altogether (which would explain him ending the series here and re-starting it, still with Lee as the MC) in a kind of spin-off series. *scratches head*
Sadly, Mr. Molles will never get to tell me what all the pregnant infected (zombies) mean, how it is scientifically possible, why it is happening or any of the other stuff hinted at that wasn't resolved in the 6 books I've read (probably done to keep readers interested enough to start the spin-off series).
The reason is simple and yet sad: I'm tired.
Tired of everyone whining, tired of the same things happening over and over again. Yes, people usually repeat their mistakes but do I need to read about that all the time?! Besides, one conflict in this series seems to be going down pretty much like the next (and not even the special forces guys adept accordingly). New people arrive, people are wary of one another, then they gain each others' trust following which one side betrays the other resulting in some dying ... rinse, repeat. Even the way people betray or how they behave before that (what they say, what they do) was mostly the same.
I have to admit that this last novel was more fast-paced than the last. Probably because there was less talking about our feelings and such nonsense. However, maddeningly, people still needed to hold hands and sing kumbaya.
Lee still was torn up inside over the most normal stuff (like killing Kyle who more than had it coming - that confession scene ... I wanted to punch the wall).
The horde from the north is still coming because nothing was done in the previous book but now people at least kick into gear (after wasting precious resources *rolls eyes*). The point is: it's not rocket science! It's the zombie apocalypse so of course resources will dwindle and you need to conserve especially meds and ammo as well as fuel for planes and stuff. If I can think of that, I'm sure Marines and special forces guys should be able to as well. *sighs*
For anyone still caring about the characters and events, be warned: there is no actual resolution here. No real end in sight. Though at least there finally is the battle with the Followers (it was a loooong time coming).
The actual fighting was very good (suspenseful, realistic) but once again, I found myself no longer being too invested in whether or not certain people were going to survive or if the Followers won, continuing to rape minors and all the other shit they were doing.
The highlight was when.
Sadly, not all on my list got what they deserved.
Anyway, after years of looking forward to the respective next installment and crying for Zeus in the first novel even more than for Bus in the third, after hoping frantically that Deuce would survive (yes, my heart was hitched to the dogs much more than to any human but can you blame me?), I'm very sad that after such a strong start this petered out the way it did. I had to almost force myself to finish the series (thanks, OCD) and that is kinda emotionally devastating. :/
As already mentioned at the beginning of my review for the previous / penultimate novel of this series, I used to be a fan. Then the indie-author got a deal with a publisher and not only the gorgeous covers of the books changed after that, sadly. It's as if he was compelled to stretch the story as much as possible or even take another direction altogether (which would explain him ending the series here and re-starting it, still with Lee as the MC) in a kind of spin-off series. *scratches head*
Sadly, Mr. Molles will never get to tell me what all the pregnant infected (zombies) mean, how it is scientifically possible, why it is happening or any of the other stuff hinted at that wasn't resolved in the 6 books I've read (probably done to keep readers interested enough to start the spin-off series).
The reason is simple and yet sad: I'm tired.
Tired of everyone whining, tired of the same things happening over and over again. Yes, people usually repeat their mistakes but do I need to read about that all the time?! Besides, one conflict in this series seems to be going down pretty much like the next (and not even the special forces guys adept accordingly). New people arrive, people are wary of one another, then they gain each others' trust following which one side betrays the other resulting in some dying ... rinse, repeat. Even the way people betray or how they behave before that (what they say, what they do) was mostly the same.
I have to admit that this last novel was more fast-paced than the last. Probably because there was less talking about our feelings and such nonsense. However, maddeningly, people still needed to hold hands and sing kumbaya.
Lee still was torn up inside over the most normal stuff (like killing Kyle who more than had it coming - that confession scene ... I wanted to punch the wall).
The horde from the north is still coming because nothing was done in the previous book but now people at least kick into gear (after wasting precious resources *rolls eyes*). The point is: it's not rocket science! It's the zombie apocalypse so of course resources will dwindle and you need to conserve especially meds and ammo as well as fuel for planes and stuff. If I can think of that, I'm sure Marines and special forces guys should be able to as well. *sighs*
For anyone still caring about the characters and events, be warned: there is no actual resolution here. No real end in sight. Though at least there finally is the battle with the Followers (it was a loooong time coming).
The actual fighting was very good (suspenseful, realistic) but once again, I found myself no longer being too invested in whether or not certain people were going to survive or if the Followers won, continuing to rape minors and all the other shit they were doing.
The highlight was when
Spoiler
Sam and Abbey, of all people, got to kill that bitch of a nurse, Jenny, after she had completely lost her marbles because she couldn't handle the Greg-situation resulting in her getting infectedSadly, not all on my list got what they deserved.
Anyway, after years of looking forward to the respective next installment and crying for Zeus in the first novel even more than for Bus in the third, after hoping frantically that Deuce would survive (yes, my heart was hitched to the dogs much more than to any human but can you blame me?), I'm very sad that after such a strong start this petered out the way it did. I had to almost force myself to finish the series (thanks, OCD) and that is kinda emotionally devastating. :/
cindy_todd1's review
5.0
Love love live this series. Sad to see it come to an end, however it ended with a satisfying conclusion.
masonc2008's review
5.0
Good closing to a series I've been reading for about 4 years now. DJ Molles really knows how to write, and keeps you in suspense, even when the characters are seemingly safe. In this post apocalyptic place, nothing is really safe, and you feel that in every passage.
It's almost anxiety inducing, but it's so, so good.
It's almost anxiety inducing, but it's so, so good.
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