Title: Patient Z
Series: N/A
Author: Becky Black
Genre: Post-Apocalyptic
Length: Novel
Publisher: Loose Id (July 23rd, 2013)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4.5 Hearts
Reviewer: Thommie
Blurb: Two years ago, the zombie apocalypse wiped out the world police officer Mitch Kennedy had a role in. But he’s found a way to continue doing his duty, serving as guardian of a small community of survivors, living in the safest place they can find. When the group takes in Cal Richardson Mitch can’t help but be attracted to the first available–and incidentally, gorgeous–man to cross his path in months.
Mitch and Cal can’t resist each other physically, but each man tries to hold back his emotions. Though he’s strong on the outside, Mitch is too badly hurt inside to risk more pain. Cal’s very sure he won’t stay for long. He’s been a drifter all his life and it came naturally to him to survive alone after civilization fell. He’s sure this is a temporary stopover for him. He has no intention of becoming emotionally involved with a cop who is certain to despise Cal when he learns the truth about him.
But the longer Cal stays the stronger his urge to run, but the harder it becomes to give up the safety of the community and his new friends. The harder it becomes to give up Mitch.
Product Link: http://www.loose-id.com/patient-zero.html
Review: Post-Apocalyptic books are so very tricky in my opinion. You’re either going to love them or you’re going to hate them, nothing in between. At least that’s how I’m affected. Zombies? Oh God, the very notion is horribly appealing. You hate them but you can’t stand away from them, and you pray that it’s well written so that they don’t turn your stomach the bad way. I’m sure there are many half-arsed works out there, grabbing the virus idea, and going bat-crazy with it. This is not the case.
I loved, no adored this book. It made my “Favorite” list without blinking an eye. It was simply brilliant; the plot, the characters, the romance, and damn even the end was bloody fantastic. It starts with a hooking scene, one you can’t say no to, and in a matter of seconds, it has you in its grip, daring you to stop, driving you crazy when you really, really need to take a break.
Cal is found on his boat, nearly dehydrated, and on top of it bitten. (Ah and this is my one issue here. I couldn’t understand how the Doc didn’t understand the difference between a dog bite and a zombie one) He is rescued, shot with a vaccine that is on trial and error phase, shackled and fettered, and observed for a week by the guardians of a small community of survivors.
And what a community that one was. I couldn’t believe it when it was revealed. I didn’t know what to do with that, laugh my head off, or marvel at the brilliance.
Mitch Kennedy, a cop when the world had a meaning, retains some of that past duty with his community of survivors, being their guardian, training their guards, and distrusting everybody. The chemistry between Cal and Mitch, electrifying. The willingness to go for a quickie while transparent from Cal’s side doesn’t even stand a chance with Mitch. There can’t be simple sex between them, not now, not when they’re sharing the same room, not when they’re living, working, surviving together.
The men’s different personalities clash, the strain of their chemistry unbearable, the situation they’re living in when every day could be your last day weights on their heart, and the inevitable is only around the corner. As much as Mitch tried to stay away Cal is a master in seduction, and as much as Cal tried to guard his heart, Mitch is the kind of man who you can’t help but lay it in his feet. The drifter and loner in Cal’s soul gets restless and the steady Mitch can’t do anything to stop him, making him stay.
I absolutely loved this pair. The romance part was fantastic, so hooking, so hot and sexy, so heartbreaking, and so suitable. I kept thinking, this pair is made for each other, and I know, right? This is a piece of fiction, of course this pair was made for each other.
As for the rest of the plot, well there are no words. It was well thought, well executed, kept me on my toes all the time, had my heart beating every time the guys were on raids, and in the end, when Cal does that brilliant stunt that has Bren shouting “He’s the King of the Zombies” oh my, I was half shouting along with Bren and half shaking my head frustration. It took them long enough to figure that out didn’t it? But yeah, that scene was amazing.
In the end there isn’t much left to be said. I love a good post-apoc and this not only didn’t disappoint, but it raised the bar a bit higher. If you’re even remotely fans of the genre, this is a book you must not miss. Strongly recommended!