Review "FERAL starts out by being creepy. As it moves forward FERAL becomes chilling and then turns terrifying. This is definitely--absolutely, positively--a book to be read with all the lights on!"--Robert McCammon, bestselling author of Swan Song and Boy's Life "Feral is nasty excitement, a wild, jolting ride from start to finish. Enjoy."--Andrew Pyper, author of The Demonologist"DeMonaco and Evenson hit the mark with their collaboration...Fans of more traditional zombie tales will appreciate the quick pacing and familiar tropes, and those who just don't know if they can take one more story about the undead would do well to try this one. Feminism is alive and well in Feral."--Booklist "A bloody tale of apocalypse...Told from multiple perspectives, this nail-biter, packed with plenty of gore to satisfy horror fans, offers a neat woman-power twist on the zombie-apocalypse story and a surprisingly poignant, satisfying finale."--Publishers Weekly "It is a fresh take on an old trope that also explores the nature of humanity and the relationships we forge with each other, often finding moments of touching vulnerability among the horrors of this new world...The zombie story has been done many times before, but not quite like this."--This is Horror "Feral is a novel of hard left turns. Just when you think the story is heading one way, authors DeMonaco and Evenson twist the wheel and the reader finds him/herself barreling down another twisty path. It's fast-paced, action-packed, and screams for a movie adaptation. So let's do the math: (BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER - vampires) + (THE WALKING DEAD - zombies) + (ROMEO AND JULIET - family feuds and suicide pacts) = FERAL. It adds up. Feral is recommended."--Bookgasm "Feral is well-paced but not too fast, with a tight storyline, solid character development, and a unique take on the post-apocalyptic survival story...the book makes for some great summer reading."--Horror Talk About the Author James DeMonaco is the writer and director of the feature films The Purge, The Purge: Anarchy, The Purge: Election Year, and Staten Island, New York. He also wrote the films The Negotiator and Assault on Precinct 13, as well as created and executive-produced the cable television miniseries The Kill Point. He lives in both Staten Island and Manhattan with his wife and daughter. He is an avid New York Yankees fan. B. K. Evenson is the pen name for Brian Evenson, who has been a finalist for the Edgar Award, the Shirley Jackson Award, and the World Fantasy Award and a winner of the International Horror Guild Award and the American Library Association's award for Best Horror Novel, as well as having one of his novels selected as a Time Out New York top book. The recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship and three O. Henry Prizes, Evenson lives in Southern California.
N**D
Sorry for the vagueness - I don't want to leave any spoilers!
This book has me so conflicted! The first half of the book had me desperate to love the entire thing, but it derailed.The good points:This book is so easy to read, despite some weird tense switching as chapters are told from perspectives of different characters.It's easy to totally immerse yourself in the horror of what's going on, especially when all of the men are struck down by an airborne virus which either kills them or turns them into adrenaline fuelled monsters (think 28 days later). As women are unaffected by the disease, they have to start banding together for their own safety and, where possible, work on a cure.So far, so brilliant!Allie, the main character, is 16 when the story starts and she witnesses the end of the world. 3 years on and she has perfected her hunting skills and is the main scout for her settlement - she's a strong, capable protagonist until about halfway through.The bad points:Something happens and suddenly she loses all ability to fight, make rational decisions and keep her settlement safe - not only her, but all of the women who have had the fortitude to survive the end of the world as we know it and stay safe for THREE YEARS, suddenly forget how to differentiate between their arses and their elbows and need a man to save them.This story started off so strong and then spiralled downhill halfway through. I felt so cheated as soon as the story took a turn in this direction - it felt like it was all set to be a book about women handling themselves like heroes, creating a cure and restoring order to the planet. It felt like the authors had to make a special effort to make it go this way rather than let it take its natural course.So yeah, mixed feelings - if they could just go back and rewrite the ending of this novel to represent women as they actually are, it would be a strong contender for my book of the year! As it stands... I feel cheated.
A**.
I Enjoyed This Book
I enjoyed this book I thought the idea behind it was highly original and well written.I didn't always like the main character but it didn't stop me wanting to find out what was going to happen to her, I did work out some of the plot and my only small criticism is that I felt it could have been a little tighter and shorter .I think if it had been more punchy it would have made it more exciting, but this is my personal view and I am more than happy for others to disagree.I still found this to be an entertaining well thought out book and would read more by this author.Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in return for an honest review.
E**Z
Loved it!
A fabulous take on the old zombie genre, Feral deals with an out of control virus that only affects the male of the species.Allie is great as the tough but soft centred heroine, running on autopilot to keep herself and her sister safe.Bloodthirsty but also hopeful, this apocalyptic tale tells of a world occupied by escaped women and infected men/animals, who will survive?I really hope there is going to be a sequel to Feral as there are so many loose ends that I want tying up, it sure would make a great movie.Great story, great author.
P**H
Didn’t like the protagonist
I hate to write a bad review... but I couldn’t make it through this book.The feral men were made out to be incredibly strong and, well... feral. Which is good-But the toughest person out there killing them by the dozens with ease is a 16 year old girl. She easily tricks them, is way too cocky, and always seems to be avoiding them by a hair. And is incredibly strong without any superpowers. I have a healthy imagination but this was too far fetched. I even tried picturing her as Michonne from The Walking Dead... but even she isn’t as good and cocky as this kid.
J**T
Best Book I Have Read In 2017
By the time I got through the first couple of chapters I was hooked. There is no waiting for the action to start. It grabs you and drags you along with it. This is the best book I have read so far in 2017 (and I real ALL the time). It would make an excellent movie. This is the kind of book that I am always looking for but never seem to be able to find. If you like this genre you should definitely read it. Feral is Awesome.
W**L
WOMEN TRY TO SURViVE.
FERAL by James DeMonaco and B. K. Evenson is story about a pandemic that makes men feral and women must unite to survive. Walking Dead with only women good guys. I wanted to love this book and it was very good in stops but slow and weak in others. Some places even screamed out, hey, we wrote this to be a movie or TV show......not a great book.
T**O
good plot
The ending was jumbled. I couldn't keep up with what was going on. It was a good story tho. all in all I enjoyed it.
J**M
Awesome!
This book is awesome!A new twist on post-apocalyptic America. Couldn't put it down. Suspenseful as hell and the characters we're totally believable and you we're routing for them the whole time. Kept me on the edge of my seat. If you're looking for a good adventure novel look no further.
M**A
Attention Grabber
I enjoyed the story from the beginning. Two young girls and their survival became more intriguing given the circumstances surrounding their lives. Will be looking for the sequel.
D**R
I loved the beginning
Alright where to start with this one. When I read the plot I was completely interested and seemed like something that I would love. Not to mention I'm a huge fan of the Purge movies, so I couldn't wait to see where this story went. I liked the idea of a man made virus getting released from a lab that makes men violent and attack women. Eventually turning all men feral and making everyone woman fight for their lives.The beginning of the book was exactly what I wanted, it was thrilling and I couldn't stop reading. I just wanted to know hoe these women would survive. Then somewhere in the middle or so the whole book changed into a romance. Not at all what I was expecting and while I understood the reasons for some of it. I just couldn't handle the instant romance thing, it felt out of place and really I just lost momentum for the book.Now the book isn't horrible at all, but I think it would have been better without the instant romance thing.
P**1
Entertaining but not amazing like the first 2 purge movies
Teenage book. Entertaining but not amazing like the first 2 purge movies.
A**R
that boat scene tho.... be prepared!
If this isn't on the big screen within the next five years I'll be shocked. Amazing read and very fast paced. I couldn't put it down.
S**Q
Great book!
Great book. A real page turner!
A**R
A Thriller
I thought it was a good read enjoyable very quick pace
M**O
Must read!!
So creative and action-packed!! Filled with emotion and hope. Fantastic and strong characters! If you like James Cameron movies, you will love this book!! Must read!!
S**Y
loved it!
Its different. I loved it. Felt I could connect with Allie. Very good book to read. Ready for book number 2.
A**R
This book was just ok for a quick read. ...
This book was just ok for a quick read. It was hard to keep reading at times. Lost interest in several places. It was very predictable. Character development just wasn't there. Reminded me a lot of "I am Legend".
Trustpilot
3 weeks ago
1 day ago
