Audiobook Review: The Rising Dead by Devan Sagliani!

• Written by: Devan Sagliani
• Narrated by: Michael Pauley
• Length: 8 hrs and 13 mins 
• Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:08-04-15

Publisher: Laughing Crow Media

Chaos breaks out when a virulent new strain of biological warfare is unwittingly released into the general population, causing all who are infected with it to turn into flesh-hungry monsters driven by a hive mind that yearns to feed.
Gunner, a paranoid war veteran and the head of security at the Biotech lab where the designer virus was created, knew this day would eventually come. That's why he spent nearly every day since his return from Iraq preparing for the end of the world. It's up to him to save the residents of Thunderdome, a run down apartment complex in Northern Las Vegas.
Max hosts a live show as Asphyxia Stardust, a semi-nude cosplayer with a love of all things horror who is hosting the city's first ZombieCon.
Travis is a computer nerd-slash-borderline stalker obsessed with zombies and Gemma, a misunderstood party girl everyone thinks is a tease. His roommate Parker is a star athlete gone bad who spends his days partying and chasing skirts.
Holt is a stereotypical frat boy who finds new meaning in the apocalypse as a warrior for God with a crowbar sent to kill demons from the pit of hell. Together this unlikely band of college students and burnouts fight their way through a zombie horde in search of somewhere safe to take refuge, encountering every horror imaginable along the way.
Is this an inescapable global pandemic or can they find a safe zone outside of Sin City and away from the endless sea of rotting monsters with razor-sharp teeth trying to infect and kill them?

My Thoughts:

First things first, I have to talk about the performance and sound effects!! It was freaking awesome!! I started listening to what I thought would be a normal zombie book, but was so surprised to find this had sound effects (I didn't read any reviews prior to starting it). Now initially it distracted me because this is my first audio with sound effects, but that quickly went away and I found myself eagerly awaiting more. The sound the narrator used for the zombies was, without a doubt, truly frightening. Listening to them munch and moan was super creepy and scared me!!! The sound of the heartbeats made mine go faster and the extra effects like footsteps, bangs, knocks etc, just made the whole experience amazing.

Now even apart from the effects, the narrator himself was excellent. He truly knows how to bring the story alive. He gave each character their own tone and was able to ramp up the tension when needed. I started this and had to keep listening because he drew me right in. I will say though, that I didn't listen to this at night because the effects scared the daylights out of me!!! Bravo to the narrator for making this book that extra bit special.

Now onto the story itself. We are brought into the action straight away and its pretty much non stop the whole time. From the start of the outbreak, which is explained perfectly, to the last page we are brought on a terrifying journey with a cast of misfits, who you can't help but like. Each character has their own tale, yet each intertwine to make a well developed and action packed plot.

The setting was another positive for the story. This isn't the ritzy part of Las Vegas, this is the seedier side where even the cops wont venture. Since this is the down and dirty, bloody, gory kind of Zombie book, I think the setting was perfect!!

In all this was an amazing experience. The sound effects and narrator made this audio a must listen. No matter if you are a hard core Zombie enthusiast or just someone looking for a great listen, this is something you need to check out. The world the author has created is bleak and deadly yet you can't help but want to dive right in. This is my first book by this author but it won't be my last. He really captured my attention with his writing and ability to weave a darkly delicious story. Can't wait for the next one because that ending was killer, literally ;) 

*I received a copy of this in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*