The Harvesting by Melanie Karsak
Series: The Harvesting #1
Published by Indie
Published on: January 8, 2014
Genres: Dystopian
Pages: 322
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
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"The world, it seemed, had gone silent. It was something we knew but did not talk about. We were alone."
While Layla Petrovich returns home to rural Hamletville after a desperate call from her psychic grandmother, she never could have anticipated the horror of what Grandma Petrovich has foreseen. The residents of Hamletville will need Layla's cool head, fast blade and itchy trigger finger to survive the undead apocalypse that's upon them. But even that may not be enough. With mankind silenced, it soon becomes apparent that we were never alone. As the beings living on the fringe seek power, Layla must find a way to protect the ones she loves or all humanity may be lost.
Join Layla as she fights for survival in the first book of this unique zombie apocalypse tale. It's all fun and games until someone ends up undead!
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Zombie dystopian? Sign me up! I admit that I am a huge Walking Dead Fan, although I fought against watching it. I ended up binge watching three seasons in about 5 days. So this book appealed to me as soon as I read a review by Kimberly from Caffeinated Book Reviews of a later book in the series.
Layla is an expert in ancient weapons and works in Washington D.C. She is called home to her grandmother’s house. Her grandmother has a lot of magic inside her and “sees” things that are going to happen. Layla ends up in a boarded up home, full of supplies, and it’s not long before a flu of some sort takes out most of the small town. Only the dead are still walking, and they are hungry for human flesh.
Layla ends up being pretty kick ass, especially since she brought some of her ancient weapons with her. Her grandmother had thought of everything, so the house has grenades and automatic weapons. It’s not long before Layla is running things amidst the forty something people that are left. Two of the survivors are her ex-boyfriend, Ian, and his brother, Jamie. Jamie never really registered on her radar before because of Ian, but he does now, and in a big way. He ended up being a really take charge kind of guy, way more so than Ian.
This book takes place over a several month period. The reader goes along for the ride, while Layla and the rest ride out a winter without electricity, or any outside help. And what a ride this was. There’s lots of supernatural things happening with Layla, and she now can see that humans are not alone, and I am not talking about just the zombies. On top of this there is quite the twist to the premise later on in the story and it ended up being pretty scary, as well as taking the story into a completely different direction.
The author calls this book horror or dark fantasy. I just consider it dystopian, and that usually is dark fantasy. And yes, there are horror components of course. It was a partial day read for me as I could not put it down. I should have known better than to start reading it in the middle of the night!
Spunky heroine and caring hero, plenty of action, violence, and kick butt moments made this an exciting read. The premise of zombies, has of course been done many times before, but the twist added so much more to the story, and I ended up being glad for it-sort of, anyway. And that’s because the plot was a bit Walking Deadish, previous to that. Not that The Walking Dead is bad!
I ended up buying the next book as soon as I finished this one, because I can’t wait to see what happens next. I think it’s an adult read due to the very dark subject matter, violence, language, etc, however the author says it’s PG-13. No sexual scenes, but it’s assumed that it’s probably happening. I highly recommend this to adult, dark paranormal readers.
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The Harvesting Series
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I’m Lorna and I live in Maryland. Since retiring, I spend my time mostly reading and reviewing books. My favorite reads are Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, and Young Adult. I read a lot of indie books in addition to traditionally published books. Favorite paranormal creature? Vampires, but I am really liking werewolves more everyday.
Oh Lorna, this does sound like quite a thrill-ride! I don’t usually read zombies – just not my thing. But your review (and Kimberly’s) have me thinking I should make an exception. Particularly because I want to meet this kick ass heroine, Layla. 😉 You also have me very curious about the twist in the plot. Great review, my friend. I’m off to see about procuring it. 😀
I hope you like it Brandee!I honestly think this was my first zombie read other than listening to White Trash Zombie-which is really different 🙂
I have seen the reviews on Kimberly’s blog as well and kind of want to try it. Not a huge zombie fan but it really depends on how the book is done.
Stormi recently posted…Audiobook review of Meet Me in Scotland
Well it’s not real gory-of course there is some. It has a good story and some kinda of different supernaturals 🙂
Definitely sounds interesting, I do love apocalyptic-type of stories, especially when there’s zombies involved!
I think you would love this one then!
I really really like the sound of this one and I will admit, that cover is kick butt. I’m marking this one to read for sure!
I love the cover! I think you would really like this Ali 🙂
I LOVED this book too. I must finish the series. 🙂
sherry fundin recently posted…Glenn Frey – The Eagles Singer/songwriter Passes On
I have two of the follow ups already bought and plan to get to them soon, Glad you loved it too!
I am not really a fan of zombie books, but this one does sound good. And that’s nice there is an original twist on the concept. I read a mermaid book by this author which was really good, so I am planning to check out some of her other books as well. Not sure if this is a series for me, but I do own Witch Wood already, so I might read that one first and then see if I want to read the rest of the series. Great review!
Lola recently posted…Review: January by Audrey Carlan
I think I bought Witch Wood too after reading the review by Kimberly and she totally talked me into starting in the beginning-and I was glad I did 🙂
No, no zombies for me please! But that cover is gorgeous.
I know, it’s pretty great isn’t it?
Cool cover
It really is 🙂
You’ve got me convinced. But I’ll make sure I have plenty of time since it appears that it can’t be put down once it’s started. 🙂
It only took me about half a day to read it so it really is a quick read 🙂 I hope you like it!
I’ve added this to my TBR list. It sounds great.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Hell’s Kitty by Eve Langlais (@mlsimmons, @EveLanglais)
I think you might really enjoy it Melanie-I hope so anyway 🙂
okay i love this! it’s been a while since i’ve partaken on the undead so i think this is the perfect book!
Oh good! I really hope you enjoy!
The spunky heroine and the excitement and action sounds good.
It really was a good story:)
I do enjoy a good zombie story even though I’m not a fan of the Walking Dead (don’t kill me peeps). So, it being more than that is not a deterrent to me but an encouragement. 😀 This does sound like something I would enjoy. Brilly review.
Melissa (Books and Things) recently posted…Tough Justice Blog Tour!
Thank you! I hope you try this one!
I love the sound of the dark zombie dystopian in this one Lorna! It definitely sounds like a classic zombie horror which I love in all forms 🙂
Jeann recently posted…Chatterbox: The Casualness of Death
I hope you enjoy it if you try it. It really was a good fast read!
Lorna recently posted…Review: The Harvesting by Melanie Karsak (@Mollykatie112, @MelanieKarsak)
I love the cover and haven’t read many books with this theme so it sounds interesting.
Mary Kirkland recently posted…Review: Walmart Beauty Box
I love the cover as well! I haven’t read that many zombie books either 🙂
Woot!! Yes, I would label this adult, dark paranormal, horror etc. I am so stinking happy you enjoyed this. If you like dark steampunk be sure to check out her other series as well!!
kimbacaffeinate recently posted…White Trash Zombie Gone Wild by Diana Rowland
I’ve read three of them so far and have the fourth one ready to go. Thanks again for your review. I am loving them!
I think Layla is a kickass heroine too! And I loved her grandmother. I’m glad that you are enjoying this series… I really need to read Witchwood!
Naomi recently posted…Waiting On Wednesday # 178 – Legend / Reign of Shadows
Yes, Witch Wood is up next for me as well and is actually the first one I bought. Kimberly made me read from the beginning-suggested actually. *Ha*