Monday, March 26, 2012

Review: As the World Dies: Untold Tales Vol 1

Posted by

As the World Dies: 
Untold Tales Vol 1
Rhiannon Frater
Release date: August 3rd, 2011

Goodreads / Purchase

THE FIRST DAYS: AS THE WORLD DIES introduced Jenni and Katie and their harrowing journey to the makeshift fort in the Texas Hill Country.
But theirs is not the only tale to be told.

In the first volume of the AS THE WORLD DIES UNTOLD TALES experience three terrifying tales of those who are forced to face the unrelenting and hungry walking dead.

Deep in the Texas Hill Country, a man and his little dog takes refuge in a bed and breakfast located in the hills above a doomed town where an infested rescue center might unleash the hungry undead…

On a deserted highway slicing through the desolation of West Texas, a woman struggles to survive as she faces the horrifying aftermath of the rise of the zombies…

And finally, discover what happens on the first day to Katie’s beloved wife, Lydia, as the world dies…

I will never get enough of this series.

With its extraordinary characters that all left a mark on my heart, and a story that kept it beating hard – As the World Dies by Rhiannon Frater has become one of my favorite series ever (and it’s a short list). Thus, I rejoiced at the idea of the Untold Tales, where she takes us into the lives of different characters prior to their appearance in the original series.

In this volume, we get familiar with the stories of Lydia, Monica and Eric. Lydia is a significant character in the whole trilogy. Even though she is dead from the start, she has a huge influence on Katie’s thoughts and decisions. She’s the reason for Katie’s unrelenting determination and strength, not only to survive, but to rebuild, to love again. I loved finding out what exactly happened in her final moments, as well as getting a glimpse at their previous lives together. It was truly bittersweet. As for Juan’s cousin, Monica, she is a character I felt I never really got to know, so it was great to get a sense of who she is. Even though these stories are short, they’re definitely still intense, with an abundance of emotion.

Eric’s story is quite a bit longer. He is also a character that, although present quite a bit, I craved to know more about. What he went through before the fort is terrifying; we see him struggle with heartbreak, loneliness, and of course, zombies. I feel like I know him SO much more – so much so that a re-read of this series is forthcoming! Additionally, Eric’s story is filled with cameos of other well loved character that gave me an immense feeling of nostalgia to the point of tears. It’s like there were all these precious moments that was previously missed due to all the chaos of the first days, and now we get to see it, to live it.

Even if, like me, you don’t generally read short stories, do not look these over – especially if you’re already a fan of the As the World Dies series. They are filled with as much humor, love, horror and thrill as the full length novels. If you’re new to this series, you will get to glimpse Rhiannon’s impeccable talent of leaving you on the edge of your seat, while making you ADORE these characters completely.

Seriously.

“Fuck you, Aliens!” – Calhoun in Untold Tales Vol. 1

5 Hot Espressos
 As The World Dies: A Zombie Trilogy:
Want to read my thoughts on the previous books?
You can win an advanced copy of Siege HERE
The following two tabs change content below.

Giselle

Canadian blogger, wife, mother, coffee lover, and sarcastic at heart! She has had a love for all things bookish since before Amazon and eReaders existed *le gasp*. You can also find her organizing tours and other fun things at Xpresso Book Tours.

Latest posts by Giselle (see all)

16 Responses to “Review: As the World Dies: Untold Tales Vol 1”

  1. Amy

    This review is made of awesome!! You totally rock chick! I absolutely loved The Untold Tales too, now I just need to read the series. Seriously going to like really really soon.

  3. Jac

    Fuck You Aliens? Ok, after your rec on Twitter for the first book? And this review? I just clicked Download on my Kindle!! (See, bloggers do sell books!)

    I can’t wait to read this series now!!

    -Jac @ For Love and Books

  5. Giselle

    @Amy: You have to! SERIOUSLY!! Remember #PeeOnYou!

    @Lilly: Thanks chick! You definitely have to check these out!!

    @Jac: Ooh so happy you got it! You have to update/tweet me on how you’re liking it! And no doubt bloggers sell books, you’re at least the 8th person to buy this after I threatened them… umm.. I mean.. recommended it >.<

    @Andrea: Right? This seriously rocked my face!!

  7. Shellie

    I’m going to have to get my hands on this series since you’ve been raving about it forever! haha…but seriously though they do sound like they rock the socks off so I’ll have to get my hands on them =)

  9. Danny

    I admit that I am also not a big fan of short stories. They always leave me hanging and makes me want more! But. seeing you so excited about this series I might give them a try ?!

    So this one is the first one right? And the other ones are the follow up?

  10. Giselle

    Thanks ladies!

    @Danny: this is the first of the Untold Tales. As the World Dies is the full novel series (the 3 covers I show below my review). This novella could be read before you start the actual series though, it would give you a bit of an idea what kind of story you’re getting into. But if you read them after, you already know the characters and get to see what they went through before you met them. So really it’s up to you.

  11. Maja (The Nocturnal Library)

    Ohh, I’m so curious to find out more about Lydia. I got this for review like a trillion years ago and I should really get to it soon. I just don’t want to read it before I read Siege (I stopped after book 2, don’t even know why). Anyway, I’m in the mood for some blood and gore and this will be it.
    Thanks for the much needed push in the right direction, GIselle!

  13. Maji Bookshelf

    hmm ive never heard of this series *feels ashamed* lol! Looks like you really love them so i should totally check them out 😉 Great review!!

    Farah @MajiBookshelf

  14. Mari

    I can vaguely remember seeing the cover for the first book in this series around. Favorite series you say? I really don’t think I need more convincing than that, I must look into this series.

    Thank you for review the short stories, Giselle, and for propelling me towards your review of the first book. I will read it asap 🙂

  15. Rachel

    Wow. I’ve never heard of these books before. I know. I’m sad, but boy do you make me wanna read them with this review. I’m not a fan of short stories either, but when I’m a fan of a series, I’ll read them. Looks like I’ll have to add them to my ever growing to-read list. Amazing review Giselle–as always!

  16. Rebecca (Kindle Fever)

    Aaaah! I have to read this one so badly… I’ve wanted to forever, but I’ve just never got to the point of actually getting myself a copy. o: But I need to! I’m glad you love it so much!! Thanks for making me even more excited. 😉