Rise: The Complete Newsflesh Collection by Mira Grant

July 14th, 2016 Kimberly Review 49 Comments

14th Jul
Rise: The Complete Newsflesh Collection by Mira Grant
Rise
by Mira Grant
Series: Newsflesh #3.5, #3.6
Narrator: Christine Lakin, John Glouchevitch
Length: 24 hours and 46 minutes
Genres: Horror, Post-Apocalyptic
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne Star
Narration: 4.5 cups

Collected here for the first time is every piece of short fiction from New York Times bestseller Mira Grant's acclaimed Newsflesh series, with two new never-before-published novellas and all eight short works available for the first time.We had cured cancer. We had beaten the common cold. But in doing so we created something new, something terrible that no one could stop. The infection spread, a man-made virus taking over bodies and minds, filling them with one, unstoppable command ... FEED.Mira Grant creates a chilling portrait of an America paralyzed with fear. No one leaves their houses and entire swaths of the country have been abandoned. And only the brave, the determined, or the very stupid, venture out into the wild

ADDICTIVE Audiobook PAGETURNER

Rise written by Mira Grant and narrated by Christine Lakin and John Glouchevitch delivers eight novellas surrounding the world created in the Newsflesh trilogy in one collection. Two of these stories have never been published sharing Michael and Stacy Mason’s story and a fan requested epilogue for Georgia and Shaun Mason. The introductions and explanations proceeding each story from Grant make this a worthy addition to your collection.

As many of you know The Newsflesh Trilogy consisting of Feed, Deadline and Blackout by Mira Grant is one of my favorite post-apocalyptic zombie series. While I have read all the previously published novellas, this audio and a physical copy will grace my collection.

Christine Lakin and John Glouchevitch both did an excellent job of narrating these shorts. I have previously read most of the novellas, so it took me a moment to acclimate to their voices as opposed to the ones in my head.

My name is Shaun Mason, and I am not okay

  • Countdown- It was fun revisiting the story and is one of my favorites. Countdown introduces us to Amanda Amberlee. A girl who was cured of leukemia, and the namesake for the Amberlee Virus. A virus responsible for the apocalyptic world, we find in the Newsflesh trilogy. This story also introduces us to Dr. Kellis who was responsible for stealing the untested cure. If you have been curious about the first outbreaks, this story is for you.
  • Everglades is a very short fiction and was originally part of the Living Dead 2 Anthology. (collection containing zombie stories) The tale is very short, but shares an outbreak on a college campus near the beginning of the outbreak. Debbie our protagonist shares what happens along with the survival lessons she learned from her Grandpa.
  • San Diego 2014- The Last Stand of the California Browncoats- Once you read this, you will never attend another Comic CON without thinking of this tale. You have been warned. Grant shares what happens when you have a large crowd, tight quarters, and a freakin’ zombie outbreak. What could go wrong? Another personal favorites, Firefly fangirling aside.
  • How Green This Land, How Blue This Sea- Mahir takes us down under in this Post-Rising Australian tale. A group known as the Australian Conservation Corps has tried to preserve their continent’s natural wealth by separating animals that amplify. They are gated in large enclosures that allowing them to roam free. Yeah, I see no problem with amplified elephants, kangaroos and large cats and roaming free behind a fence. Bwahaha! I have always loved Mahir and his voice and thought this tale was particularly good.
  • The Day the Dead Came to Show and Tell – A post rising tale featuring Elaine Oldenburg (Foxy). She is a first grade teacher at an elementary school in the northern pacific region. The school has all the latest post-rising security features including electronic shackles on student’s desks and amplification test to keep your precious children safe. Yeah, what could go wrong? This was dark, terrifying and brilliant. Grant did an excellent job of mixing zombies and children.
  • Please Do Not Taunt the Octopus – Spend time with Dr. Shannon Abbey as she runs an underground virology lab in this post-rising tale. Fans who love getting stories about side characters will appreciate this short. When a mysterious woman shows up Dr. Abbey investigates and oh boy! Not to be missed folks! On a side note, I friggin love the titles Grant comes up with for these short stories.
  • All The Pretty Little Horses- (Brand New story) Here fans get to meet Georgia and Shaun’s adoptive parents.  We finally get the full story behind their loss during the first outbreak and the months following.  Told through Michael’s eyes Grant brilliantly captured Stacy’s struggles and reawakening. I thoroughly enjoyed this one.
  • Coming to You Live- (Brand New Story) Oh the mixed feelings, I have for this one. Coming to You Live shares an epilogue of sorts involving Shaun and Georgia. Grant never planned to write this, but fans wanted it. I say, trust your gut Ms. Grant. I have imagined their epilogue many times, revisiting them in my thoughts and pondering what they were doing. I never imagined Grant would tell us. Let us just say things did not end well in Coming to You Live. Read/listen at your own risk. I could not stop listening and admittedly hung on every word. After all, it is Grant and her writing rocks. In retrospect, I am of the opinion some doors are best left unopened.

For Die-Hard fans of the series, Rise should be an auto-buy. I loved listening but will also buy a copy to go with my collection.

“When will you Rise?
And the world gave itself an answer:
Now.
Welcome to the aftermath.”

Listen to a Sample

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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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49 Responses to “Rise: The Complete Newsflesh Collection by Mira Grant”

  1. Melanie Simmons

    I really enjoyed this story too. I finished it earlier this week. I think “The Last Stand of the California Browncoats” and “How Green This Land, How Blue This Sea” were my favorites. The only story I was familiar with before listening was “Countdown” I do agree with you about Shaun and George’s story. I think it would’ve been more interesting not knowing what was going on with them. The part I liked most about this story was seeing how everyone else responded to it, especially Maggie and Mahir (who is a favorite character of mine). Great review.

  6. Angela Adams

    “My name is Shaun Mason, and I am not okay.” — That line sure grabbed my attention. Thanks for the post.

  7. ShootingStarsMag

    I like when short stories/novellas are put together into one book. I’m more likely to read them that way! I also just really need to read these books!

    -Lauren

    • kimbacaffeinate

      And believe it or not I read all of them over the years. I wish all authors would do these collections of their novellas.

  11. Sophia Rose

    I had to snort and laugh about your Comic Con remark b/c one time at a smaller con I might have had a shrieky freak out moment when a zombie guy from that show took me by surprise. He gets high points for authentic look. I’ll stick with my friends dressed up as Ghost Busters thanks so much. 🙂

    But this antho does sound quite the treat for the series fan.

  12. Greg

    You know I’m not a huge zombie fan (in spite of trying and liking The Walking dead) but all those novellas sound fun,e ven if I don’t know the story. Maybe I should give this series a try. The comic con one sounds like a blast (I’ve been to crowded cons, and yeah a zombie outbreak there would NOT be pretty) and I love that title about the octopus. You have me very curious about this whole series now. 🙂

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Greg try Feed. Get it from the library or used book store..this focuses more on the bloggers themselves as they report the news and go out and find answers to the outbreak.

  13. Tiffany

    I just started this series. It’s good to know that it’s worth the read. I probably won’t read it, though, until I’ve read all of the main books.

  14. Stormi Johnson

    I have heard a lot about this series but not a huge zombie fan. I keep thinking maybe one day I will try it. Do you think audio would be the best way to go?

    • kimbacaffeinate

      While there are zombies, this really focuses more on the characters and their story. I would think these would translate well on audio Stormi. I read the trilogy.

  15. Maja (The Nocturnal Library)

    I am super excited about Foxy’s story, which I have not read just yet, but I think I’m fine with leaving George and Shaun where they are now in my head. I would hate to have that ending ruined, I don’t think I could handle it.

  16. Melissa

    OH! I need this is my life! I need to finish the series 1st though..I’ve only read, Feed, Fed, & Deadline!

  17. Debbie Haupt

    Ah Kim glad this filled your brain eating need 😉
    Alas I still can’t read these, I know, I know I like all the other paranormal/urban fantasy stuff but yeah just can’t get into the Zombie invasion.
    Have you watched that new TV show about them? How is it?

  18. Katherine

    Oooh! This sounds good. I have Mira Grant on my authors list – probably because of the first book. I love when collections like this really have added stories and treats that fans have been looking forward too. I’ll have to check this one out!

  19. Lekeisha

    I was just talking to another blogger yesterday about buddy reading Feed with me, since there’s another book about to be released. I’ve had it for years now, but haven’t had the chance to read it. Hopefully I’ll get to it soon.

  20. Jenny

    I haven’t read this series, but I love when we get little extras like this that give us new glimpses into a beloved world. Nalini Singh does this a lot with her Psy-Changeling series and it just makes me happy:)

    Also, side note, I’ll be staying away from large crowds for the foreseeable future 😉

  21. Cyn

    I’ve got this series on my TBR after seeing that you and Jeann (happy indulgence) loving it. Always a good thing when the novellas are great too!

  22. Silvia

    Well, this sounds like a very interesting series! Thanks for sharing your thoughts, I feel like I’ll give it a go 🙂

  23. Melliane

    I didn’t know about the release of this one. I love her books as Seanan McGuire but I haven’t try her as Mira Grant but I really should try!

  24. Heather

    I really need to get going with this series as I think I will love it, are all of these novellas available as kindle books ?