Reaper's Touch by Eleri StoneNicole McCurdy's rating: 5 of 5 stars
I love rotten, decaying, flesh-eating zombies as much as the next girl (apart from Walking Dead, just could not get into that show) but this book is just...wow. I’m speechless, or rather wordless. Honestly, I could wax lyrical about how fantastic this book is.
Fast-paced action barrels right from the word go pretty much till the last chapter; it never takes a breather or slows momentum, it just spirals and gathers speed and snowballs into a full on movie in book form with a lot of gruesome brain matter and blood spraying a few people.
Eleri Stone has managed in her own approach to make a zombie book rather unique with our hardened heroine Abby being one of few extremely rare female Ranger’s, guarding civilian lives against the perpetual threat of super speedy limb-gnawing Reaper’s in a male dominated misogynistic profession. As she harbours something in her that leaves her immune to Reaper’s infection she is told she should be sheltered somewhere safe, breeding with any willing male, popping out little immune Ranger babies to populate the front lines.
Abby is such a three dimensional character. She comes across as stoic and battle-weary but there’s a depth to her, she’s lonely and cynical but strong, intelligent and rather nurturing when it comes to looking after the younger fighters. When it comes to Jake she’s torn and confused and unsure of herself, so unlike how she portrays herself in front of the other Ranger’s. He makes her question everything but in a good way.
Our rather unconventional male protagonist Jake had all the elements of a terrific hero too. He’s selfless, sexy as sin, can kick ass when needed and has the whole tortured soul thing going on for him. He too has a lot of hidden depths but they’re a lot more fun to discover for yourself than have me spoil it all for you.
Although there are strong elements of romance in Reaper’s Touch, don’t be fooled into thinking this is another Warm Bodies or Twilight-for-zombies type of deal; it’s so much more. Think World War Z with Buffy as the lead and a political conspiracy thrown in for good measure. It’s brilliantly well written, witty and addictive and more than once I caught myself reading faster and faster when it came to a particularly suspenseful scene in order to see the outcome.
If you’re an infected-with-a-deadly-zombie-making-disease loving reader, one-click this beauty you won’t regret it.
Reaper's Touch (Reaper #1)
by Eleri Stone (Goodreads Author)
Abby is a Ranger, part of an elite group who defend the border against Reapers—humans infected with a parasite that turns them into mindless cannibals. Rangers are immune to Reaper infection, and as one of the only female Rangers, Abby is expected to settle down and breed more Rangers—a fate she’s keen to avoid. When she’s ambushed on the plains, she’s ready to go out with guns blazing—until a mysterious, handsome cowboy rides to her rescue.
Jake has his own motives for helping Abby, beyond aiding a damsel in distress. He’s a Reaper, and while he’s learned to wrest control of his mind from the parasite, the effects won’t last without a permanent cure. And he needs Abby to get it.
Abby and Jake are natural enemies and unlikely partners. But when their search reveals a conspiracy between Reapers and the rich industrialists who own the mountain cities, they must work together to find the cure—or lose the border, and each other, forever.
Jake has his own motives for helping Abby, beyond aiding a damsel in distress. He’s a Reaper, and while he’s learned to wrest control of his mind from the parasite, the effects won’t last without a permanent cure. And he needs Abby to get it.
Abby and Jake are natural enemies and unlikely partners. But when their search reveals a conspiracy between Reapers and the rich industrialists who own the mountain cities, they must work together to find the cure—or lose the border, and each other, forever.
Sounds like a good book! And, I am a big fan of Walking Dead. :)
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