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flaviadeer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
blessedwannab's review against another edition
4.0
Generally I’m not a fan of companion short story novels. I made one of my rare exceptions for Rise because I seriously love this world and these characters. Shawn and Georgia Mason, Alaric and Mahir… together they make up my favorite Zombie reality, that’s including the crew of Walking Dead. There’s something so inspirational about how humanity managed to triumph over the zombie apocalypse and even find a way to thrive. I’d love to see this story on the screen.
Anyway, my emotions ran the gamut with Rise. There were stories like The Last Stand of the California Browncoats that broke my heart, and made me sob. (As a Firefly/Joss fan myself, this touched me.) Then, there was Everglades that made me feel nothing, which was probably only because it was really really short. I didn’t have the opportunity to know the character. As a character driven reader, really empathizing and caring about the character is imperative for me.
I think what I enjoyed the most about Rise was the opportunity to get to spend more time with beloved characters, but also to read how the virus started, and how it affected the whole world. In particular, I loved reading about Alex Kellis and his husband in Countdown. He was innocent, as far as any scientist can be. He was doing work that many may considered dangerous, but isn’t that what scientists do? They discover ways to help humanity thrive. He never intended anything negative with his cure for the common cold. In the end he lost everything, and was villainized despite how screwed up the reporters lies were, and fact that it was the actions of the activists that truly caused chaos. It was so tragic.
Most importantly, what Rise really succeeded in accomplishing was getting me all amped up about Feedback. I know it’s not going to be about the Mason’s, but it is going to bring us back to the world and hopefully give us more amazing characters to love. Goodness knows, I’m definitely not ready to say goodbye.
Thank you to Orbit Books via Netgalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
For this and other reviews, please visit Badass Book Reviews.
Anyway, my emotions ran the gamut with Rise. There were stories like The Last Stand of the California Browncoats that broke my heart, and made me sob. (As a Firefly/Joss fan myself, this touched me.) Then, there was Everglades that made me feel nothing, which was probably only because it was really really short. I didn’t have the opportunity to know the character. As a character driven reader, really empathizing and caring about the character is imperative for me.
I think what I enjoyed the most about Rise was the opportunity to get to spend more time with beloved characters, but also to read how the virus started, and how it affected the whole world. In particular, I loved reading about Alex Kellis and his husband in Countdown. He was innocent, as far as any scientist can be. He was doing work that many may considered dangerous, but isn’t that what scientists do? They discover ways to help humanity thrive. He never intended anything negative with his cure for the common cold. In the end he lost everything, and was villainized despite how screwed up the reporters lies were, and fact that it was the actions of the activists that truly caused chaos. It was so tragic.
Most importantly, what Rise really succeeded in accomplishing was getting me all amped up about Feedback. I know it’s not going to be about the Mason’s, but it is going to bring us back to the world and hopefully give us more amazing characters to love. Goodness knows, I’m definitely not ready to say goodbye.
Thank you to Orbit Books via Netgalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
For this and other reviews, please visit Badass Book Reviews.
rewomer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-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? No
5.0
booktarot_reads's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
roksyreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
In recent years, I’ve grown particularly fond of zombie horror fiction. I’ve read World War Z three times, as well as numerous other novels and series. Having previously devoured the original Newsflesh trilogy in 2023, I was thrilled to return to this universe through this collection of short stories and novellas.
Rise is a fantastic companion to the original trilogy, filled with favourite characters and loveable new additions. The variety in the stories is especially enjoyable, covering both pre- and post-Rising events, and told from an array of character perspectives. My favourite of the collection was the novella "How Green This Land, How Blue This Sea", which was set in Australia. It was so refreshing to hear a story set outside of America and to read about my home country in the post-Rising world. There were so many laugh out loud moments. Plus: zombie wombats!
Rise is a fantastic companion to the original trilogy, filled with favourite characters and loveable new additions. The variety in the stories is especially enjoyable, covering both pre- and post-Rising events, and told from an array of character perspectives. My favourite of the collection was the novella "How Green This Land, How Blue This Sea", which was set in Australia. It was so refreshing to hear a story set outside of America and to read about my home country in the post-Rising world. There were so many laugh out loud moments. Plus: zombie wombats!
alyshadeshae's review against another edition
5.0
Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, I've had this book series on my mind. It's been a while since I've reread the books and there have been new short stories (and this collection) added since then.
I loved this collection. Every single story is a win for me. And it all hits a little different now that we're dealing with a pandemic in real time. There's a reason I'll continue to come back to this series over the years - it's amazing.
I loved this collection. Every single story is a win for me. And it all hits a little different now that we're dealing with a pandemic in real time. There's a reason I'll continue to come back to this series over the years - it's amazing.
jane_the_gemini's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
booksandroswell's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lisawreading's review
5.0
Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. In other words, NOOOOOOO. I don't want to be finished with Newsflesh and the Masons yet!
I loved this collection, and will be back with more coherent thoughts once I pull myself together.
I loved this collection, and will be back with more coherent thoughts once I pull myself together.