Taking on the Dead (The Famished Trilogy) [Kindle Edition]

Annie Walls (Author), TFC Parks (Editor), Tabitha Short (Editor)

Book Description

Life for Kansas was perfect until the day the world changed.

She has been hiding out for four years in solitude. It's the only way to survive. The only way not to draw the living dead. Helping a small group of people, she learns the new world might not be what she assumes. Venturing out of her refuge and comfort zone, she meets Rudy, who helps her find a greater purpose. She realizes that the world has moved on without her. Only it's not what she expects. Her knowledge of the living dead grows and only makes her more curious as humanity continues to hang on by a thread. While on her search for answers she finds comfort in new friendships and love, but her past seems as if it will haunt her forever.

Kansas takes it upon herself to help other survivors, which would be easy if the famished were the only obstacles.

In a trilogy plot thick with twists and turns, this adult dark fantasy is emotional as much as it is horrifyingly gripping.

This book contains graphic violence, intense language, sexual situations, drug use, and is intended for a mature audience.

Product Details

• File Size: 514 KB
• Print Length: 334 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1478276258
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B009EB4YDU
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #12,705 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  • #6 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Horror > Dark Fantasy
  • #21 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Fantasy > Dark Fantasy

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An Addictive and Gripping Horror Novel! October 26, 2012

By Stephanie Ward

Format:Kindle Edition

4.5 Stars

'Taking on the Dead' is the first book in a dark fantasy/horror trilogy that tells the story of Kansas and her fight for survival after the world turned upside and everybody changed - into zombies. She has been living in solitude for four years until a group of survivors shows up needing her help. She decides to venture out into the world again, only to discover that things have changed since she was last in it. She meets Rudy, who gives her life a purpose, and also finds friendship and even love along the way.

This novel is packed full of action and horror, and written in such a fantastic way that I couldn't put it down. The story is engaging and thrilling - readers are immediately thrown into the post-apocalyptic zombie world that Kansas is struggling to survive in. The characters are all very realistic and believable, which made it easy to like them and root for their cause. The plot was well written and really fast paced, with the thrill of survival and fear making it a true page turner. I liked that there was honest human emotion and struggle thrown into the narrative, which made it feel complete - not just a slasher zombie book. The relationships and friendships that develop throughout the novel were a great balance to the gore and tautness the rest of the plot held. Overall, I found this to be a gripping and super creepy book full of emotion and deeper meanings. I will definitely be waiting for the next book to see what will happen next!

Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars SOOO Fantastic, You will LOVE it. September 20, 2012

By Liz @ Fictional Candy

Format:Kindle Edition

Wow. No, WOW. I loved this book! This book has ignited a passion to acquire a cross bow. I am now more sure than ever that I need one. And I love apocalypse books, because they all feel a little bit like I am training (without leaving my couch) for what is surely to come soon! And that is all inspired by Kansas City Sunshine Moore.

Who the heck is Kansas City Sunshine Moore? She is the main character in Annie Walls' Taking On The Dead. Big bonus points for unique names there! But Kansas usually goes by Kan, which is short and sweet and to the point. Necessity has turned Kan into a strong woman and I immediately impressed right from the very first pages during the prologue. The prologue itself was very eerie and sad and scary. It was the perfect opener, and it showed the Zombie Apocalypse's beginning.

The rest of the story takes place several years later. The world as we know it has been turned upside down. And Kansas has been living a solitary life. As one man says to her in the story, its no wonder she isn't crazy! Zombies seem to run in packs, and they like the cooler weather. I thought this was a very interesting aspect because it threw my theories out the window! Yep, now I have to come up with a whole new apoc plan because if Annie Walls is right, we will want to go where the weather is warm!

Annie's zombies are grotesque and disgusting. In other words, perfect. They are exactly what zombies should be. They are in different states of decomposition, and Ms. Walls spares no expense describing the putrification of these zombies. And even better, they are called zombies! You see a lot of books skirt around the whole "Z" word. Yes, they are called several other things in this story - but they are also called zombies!

So four years later, and a series of events has caused Kansas to come in contact with people. Some of them betray her. But with every closed door, there is an open window...to jump right out of. And then Kan meets Rudy. I immediately feel like I like Rudy. He is big, strong, and he has a heart of gold. The man has some secrets, but in this day and age everyone does. There were many points in this story that I held a secret hope that there would be a romance, but you will have to read to find that out for yourself!

Kan is the type of survivor I want to be. She is smart, resourceful, powerful in her own way. And of course, there is the cross bow. But the great characters don't end with her. Of course there is Rudy, who you feel like you want to be his friend right away. But then she meets Mac, and Reece. Shout out to Reece, the tattoo artist from Detroit (my hometown!). Yes, I did just give a shout out to a fictional character. You do it too. You know you do. All of Annie's characters are just vibrant and full of personality. Even the ones I hated were just as easy to picture as if they were standing right in front of me.

This book is full of twists and turns. In some ways you find civilization is moving on. In some ways you can almost even say it is thriving. There is a community there that I just found fascinating, and I have future plans to pester Annie Walls into creating stories for more people living there... namely, Glinda. Oh yeah, I definitely want to know more about this diamond in the rough. She becomes a great friend to Kan, and right away you wonder who you should be more jealous of.

But then again, if this story proves one thing over and over - it is beware of who you trust! In a world where nothing is permanent, people will do almost anything to survive. But once you find someone that you know without a doubt is true, well, hold on to them.

My final thoughts? It's a good thing this book is part one in a trilogy, because I definitely want to read more - immediately. And I have plenty of questions about some things that have happened in the book. And the author is being very tight lipped with the answers. So I'm sorry, I can't give you any hints of what is to come! But this story has definitely become one of my favorites of the year. It is written with heart and emotion, and a bit of snark. I have hope for Kan's future. There is some really terrific action, horror, and a healthy dose of drama. There's even bits of romance here and there, but make no mistake, this isn't a romance book. But the story has all of the elements I love. A kickass heroine, a couple great heroes in the making... and zombies!!!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Freaaakkknn great!!! September 20, 2012

By Becca

Format:Kindle Edition

This book raaaawked it in the world of zombinesss! If you like the slight twisted, keeps you guessing, w/ lots of zombie action/description then this is the one for you! I fell in love w/ some of these characters and cannot WAIT to see where this trilogy takes them!

More About the Author

Author of dark fantasy and sub-genres of horror. Voracious Reader and Googler. Lover of dark humor. Horror Buff. Zombie Apocalypse Enthusiast. Loyal Cracked follower. Pinterest Addict. Wife of adoring husband. Mother of a six year old Bruce Wayne. Cook. Maid. Kisser of boo-boos. Ultimate Time Waster. Perfect Procrastinator. Lolly Gagger. Trubie. Cake Decorator. Tea Drinker. Sculpey Sculptor. Girl Gamer. Perfectionist in the art of Facebook stalking. And now, God help me, a blogger. Oh yeah, and a twitter, twatter, tweeter. Well yeah, I'm one crafty bitch.