Review: The First Days by Rhiannon Frater

The First Days by Rhiannon Frater

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Source: Bought

Synopsis from Goodreads:

The morning that the world ends, Katie is getting ready for court and housewife Jenni is taking care of her family. Less than two hours later, they are fleeing for their lives from a zombie horde. 

Thrown together by circumstance, Jenni and Katie become a powerful zombie-killing partnership, mowing down zombies as they rescue Jenni's stepson, Jason, from an infected campground.

They find sanctuary in a tiny, roughly fortified Texas town.  There Jenni and Katie find they are both attracted to Travis, leader of the survivors; and the refugees must slaughter people they know, who have returned in zombie form.  

Fast-paced and exciting, filled with characters who grab your heart, The First Days: As the World Dies is the beginning of a frightening trilogy. 

This is one of the best zombie-apocalyptic novels I have ever read. It is scary, believable, and plays on your emotions- both fear and compassion.

I especially love that this book shows the best and worst of human behaviour during a crisis. People can be both selfish- raiding, killing and looting and just out for themselves, or they can band together, risking their lives to help save a virtual stranger.

There is no doubt that this world is harsh and dangerous and the world has descended into a dark time with no end to it in sight. There is tragedy and hardship, but also love, and I really loved seeing the bonds grow between the characters as they find themselves banding together for safety and survival.

The characters in this book are so fantastic- you can't help but really root for them and fear for them. Jenni and Katie are so tough but also so vulnerable and I loved the fast bond of friendship they formed as they fought to escape the zombie infested city, and then to survive on the road.

I also really loved all the people they meet after escaping- particularly Juan and Travis, and the banter between them which kept a line of humour throughout an otherwise disturbing and harsh story.

This novel is both terrifying and heartfelt, with both tragedy and love- I adored it and I can't stop thinking about it.

Rest of the series:

Book 2- Fighting to Survive

Book 3- Siege