The First Days by Rhiannon Frater

January 28th, 2019 Kimberly Review 18 Comments

28th Jan
The First Days by Rhiannon Frater
The First Days
by Rhiannon Frater
Series: As the World Dies #1
Genres: Horror, Post-Apocalyptic
Source: Won
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne Star

Katie is driving to work one beautiful day when a dead man jumps into her car and tries to eat her. That same morning, Jenni opens a bedroom door to find her husband devouring their toddler son.

Fate puts Jenni and Katie—total strangers—together in a pickup, fleeing the suddenly zombie-filled streets of the Texas city in which they live. Before the sun has set, they have become more than just friends and allies—they are bonded as tightly as any two people who have been to war together.

During their cross-Texas odyssey to find and rescue Jenni’s oldest son, Jenni discovers the joy of watching a zombie’s head explode when she shoots its brains out. Katie learns that she’s a terrific tactician—and a pretty good shot.

A chance encounter puts them on the road to an isolated, fortified town, besieged by zombies, where fewer than one hundred people cling to the shreds of civilization.

It looks like the end of the world. But Katie and Jenni and many others will do whatever they have to to stay alive. Run, fight, pick each other up when they stumble, fall in love…anything is possible at the end of the world.

apocalypse HORRIFIC friends

I love Rhiannon Frater’s writing and have owned the As the World Dies series forever. But have I read them? Nope. So when I dusted off the #FraterfestRAT in October, I knew it was time to beginning this series. Zombies, survival, and friendships made this post-apocalyptic tale a page-turner.

Original published in 2008, The First Days is perfect for fans of the Walking Dead TV series and the trilogy would make a great gift for any zombie fan. In this first tale we follow Jenni and Katie, two strangers who survive the first day in Texas. The two escape the city and we follow them as they meet others, build strong friendship and end up in a fortified rural town that besieged by zombies.

Frater can weave a tale and pull the reader in, from her easy descriptive writing style to the fast pace story, and developed characters. I am always fascinated by our reactions to sudden change and danger. It is interesting to see how humanity reacts from violence to emerging leaders.

Jenni loses everyone at the onset of this outbreak.  The imagery in the opening scenes are unthinkable. It all felt bloody real and in that moment I became immersed in the tale. Katie’s story speaks of heroism, but also leaves her with survivor’s guilt. It was powerful. We witness selfish acts and selfless acts throughout the story. It makes you realize those people that cut in line, cut you off and feel they are entitled to more…. will be horrible freaks if things go crazy and the world dies.

Frater brought everything to life and made it all feel surreal. She showed the good, the bad and the downright ugly side of humanity while introducing us to a group of characters you’ll want to root for. It was an intense ride, but it was also grounded in reality from the logistics of keeping zombies out, to the subtle romances.

Fans of Mira Grant’s Newsflesh trilogy will find Frater’ story refreshing.

Zombies, survival, and friendships made The First Days by Rhiannon Frater a post-apocalyptic tale a page-turner. #Zombies #AstheWorldDies Share on X
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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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18 Responses to “The First Days by Rhiannon Frater”

  2. Jennifer

    Like you I’ve owned these books for a long time but have not read them yet. I had planned to read them for #FraterfestRAT but didn’t get around to them. I will read them this year! I will!

  3. Olivia-Savannah Roach

    Oh my days what a nightmare! To wake up in the morning and find your husband dead and then killing your toddler… I just couldn’t imagine. I can imagine how the imagery and descriptions will be heartbreaking and really manage to get your rooted into the story and hooked straight away.

    Olivia-Savannah Roach recently posted: Little Green Classics [4 Mini Reviews!]

  4. JennRenee

    glad you enjoyed this one. I have this book too but have yet to read it. My hubby and daughter both read it and I guess I just need to get on that band wagon!

  12. Sophia Rose

    Your Fraterfest was the first time I had heard of her books. Love that you got to start one of her series for the RAT and that it took you right back into book love.

  14. Daniela Ark

    ohhh a post-apocalyptic horror! I haven’t read one of those in ages! Glad you enjoyed it KIm! Katie and Jenni sound super badass but I’m not sure I can read the scene of Jenni’s husband devouring their son though! Parents eating children may be where I draw the line LOL

  16. kindlemom1

    She really is a good writer. I need to pick up more of her books. I have read a few and really liked how original they were without being new at the same time.