EMPIRE reviews - post yours!

[Dave Dunwoody]

Very first one's off Amazon - thanks Patrick!

Empire takes place a century from now, long after the rise of the plague that caused the dead to rise. These zombies are a bit different than what we have seen in other works though: the dead have always had the ability to rise up when near places that are a "source" of supernatural power, but the plague came because the power of the source was laced with a deadly virus that allows their bites to transfer their infection, allowing them to perpetuate it and carry it through the entire human population. These zombies are tougher--some are faster, stronger, and continue to regain near living physical capabilities as they feed on the living. You can't just shoot 'em in the head and walk away, you need to sever the head and burn them...always burn them.

The story takes place in Jefferson Harbor, Louisiana near one of the sources of supernatural undead energy and likely the origin point of the plague. The military has pulled out, giving up on yet another coastal community as the remnants of the US government continues to consolidate its shrinking power to the north inside walled in cities. A few citizen's choose to remain behind, ignoring the goverment's pleas to go with them as the city is abandoned. Those that choose to stay include a cop who wants to protect those who have decided to stay, a rock group that has traveled the country trying to offer a bit of a distraction from the plague for the troops and citizens who struggle onward, a man who believes he understands the true power behind the source and wants to tap into it for his own evil purposes, and a dark visitor, the grim reaper, who wants to put a stop to the undead who have defied his scythe for far too long.

David Dunwoody has created a vibrant and creative tale of the undead, fresh with new ideas and yet still unleashing the vast flow of gruesome goodness a fan of zombie fiction craves. The grim reaper is by far one of the most traditional symbols of death but tying him into this story was definitely interesting and unique amongst the zombie tales I have read over the past few years. That this story takes place over a century beyond the inception of the plague also provides us with a different viewpoint than the traditional outbreak tale, with the entire cast of characters having lived with the undead their entire lives--death is all around them, waiting for them everywhere they look. They have a resigned nature to them, an acceptance that they are living quite possibly at the end of days. Most of the characters just want to hold on to what little life they have left, even if they know their end is coming soon.

While I liked the creativity of this plot, I guess my one issue would have to be with what I would call the grand delusions of Baron Tetch. A mad genius communing with old world powers that ooze out of the swamp close to where he lives, he cuts a disturbing figure of man who wishes to control the dead and create his own empire where he stands supreme above them. His desire for power should have been more sweeping, more awe inspiring. Somehow I felt he was more of just a puny madman than a wicked sorcerer communing with the old gods in a way that would bring down the wrath of Death himself. But this is a minor issue and does not take away from this gritty tale of life, death, and afterdeath. We have characters that feel real and complicated--they understand what they face and that more than likely they won't make it out alive but they keep on fighting, clinging to every bit of living they have remaining in them while the world around them crumbles. I particularly liked the character Vorhees, who seemed tenacious and determined, willing to sacrifice himself to salvage the unsalvageable, to save anyone he could regardless of the massive odds stacked against him.

A good read and a new and creative slant on the traditional zombie tale.

[Zombie Zak]

Coolness.

[Kody Boye]

That gut is THE CRITIC of zombie fiction...

Be very proud that he gave you a good review; he's terribly critical of what he reads.

[Dave Dunwoody]

Sweet! I'm just glad anybody likes it.

[Dave Dunwoody]

Thanks, Nick, for posting the link to your review.

EMPIRE is strictly zombie-fan fare. It's fun, disgusting, and makes a few statements about end-times faith and the afterlife.

Matt Staggs

All in all, you the reader should really go out and get a copy of this book. Treat yourself to all the weird and wonderful things Dunwoody has to show you, because you will not be disappointed.

[Dave Dunwoody]

MonsterLibrarian.com

David Dunwoody introduces new and imaginative concepts into the zombie subgenre in EMPIRE. The zombies he imagines are unique, because when they feed they actually regenerate, look more human, and regain a semblance of intelligence. Dunwoody also includes as a character the physical manifestation of death, who has appeared in one of his previous short stories.

[Dave Dunwoody]

Empire at SufferForYourArt.com is more of a plug than a review but me likey:

David Dunwoody is a man I respect, not only because he’s a legitimately good writer, but also because he’s not nearly as much of a cheap asshole as I am.  The day I finish a novel, it’s never seeing cyberspace–straight to amazon.com with a price tag of $18.45 it goes!  Mr. Dunwoody, on the other hand, has opted to make his novel Empire both as a free blog and as a 100% buyable book.

So, if you wish to pay Dave off for his loving, albeit disturbing efforts, you may do so now.  As in right now.  This second.  What the fuck are you waiting for?

[Dave Dunwoody]

ach! q!=e

[Dave Dunwoody]

New Amazon review:

I went into EMPIRE fairly sure it was going to be another typical zombie story, the kind that's flooded the horror market a lot in recent years. There's only so much you can do with zombies, right?

Wrong.

Dunwoody puts such a fun unique spin on the old genre that I read this like a kid again. I hated putting the book down for the night. Each chapter added another piece to a puzzle while it solved another. EMPIRE kept me turning pages, shifting between fear and giggling with delight.

Who would be the natural enemy of a world now overwhelmed by zombies? Death. Why hasn't anyone else thought of that yet? Death comes to save the living so people can die once again instead of shambling around on Earth as brainless flesh eaters. Wow.

Only critique I would give is a lot of characters are thrown at the reader and often it takes a moment to remember who is who. But Dunwoody solves that problem by letting you know that no one is safe for very long.

I highly recommend this book. By nature, I am a horrible reader. Most books have me turning pages as if they are made of lead. But not this one. I hope Dunwoody continues with the cutting edge originality he's created here.

-Gregory L Hall

[Matt-M-McElroy]

New review at Flames Rising:

http://www.flamesrising.com/empire-review

Enjoy,

Matt

[Dave Dunwoody]

Thanks Matt and Leah!

[Dave Dunwoody]

A review from FearZone with some constructive criticism regarding the post-apocalyptic setting.

While David Dunwoody's work has appeared in nearly a dozen anthologies, EMPIRE is his first full-length novel. Seeing as how he is quite a prolific writer, no doubt EMPIRE will not be his last novel. I will be quite interested to see what his next creation will consist of.

[Dave Dunwoody]

New one on Amazon from Midwest Book Review.

A strange and intriguing novel from first page to last, "Empire" is a top pick for horror fans who want a bit of a stranger type of story and community library collections catering to them.

[Dave Dunwoody]

Thought I should post some of the other feedback given by readers as they go through the story. One of the great advantages of publishing an online serial is being able to receive feedback while you're still publishing (and after). Instant ego gratification.

Here are some of the comments posted on the site:

"What a great start. You've got me hooked already. I actually got chills reading this--very rare occurrence."
-zzzz

"Your storytelling has me staying up late tonight."
-The Irish Virus

"It's not just the story. Your LANGUAGE is superb!"
-Bobbie

"I'm loving what you're doing with Death, a very intriguing character and concept....I check this site constantly, and I'm greatly enjoying the story."
-AboveAvgCharles

"This is the most kick-ass piece of fiction I've read in quite a while. PS: What an interesting take on zombies!"
-Austin

"I look forward to EVERY update!!"
-Zombeeaholic

"I look forward to every posting you make. Makes my life at the office a little more bearable."
-Robert

"I just stumbled on this by chance...I read one of the compilation zombie books and liked your story so I looked for more from you....I am glad I found it !!!! Keep up the good work sir!!!!!!!"
-the heretic

"Awesome story. I loved it just as much if not more then Autumn by David Moody. I cant wait for more"
-Jonathan

"I love the way you write, you make me feel one with the story. Can't wait for more!!!! Thank you...."
-dream5257

"Holy shit.
Okay, so I typically don't dig zombie horror (or any horror centralized around any conventional subject: werewolves, vampires, etc.), but EMPIRE is blowing me away and I can't believe it took me so long to start on it. I am liking it so much that I'm stopping here and ordering the book rather than read it here, for free, on the screen.
Awesome work!"
-Barry Napier

"If I had to pick an undead universe to NOT live in (Romero's, Return of the living dead, Zombie, Walking Dead, etc.), it would definitely be the one presented in this novel. Looking forward to the sequel."
-Monkey

[Dave Dunwoody]

Well, there ya go. One star:

I'm having trouble with this one

trained zombies?? the grim reaper?

i got to the part where someone was scolding the zombies for getting mud on the floor and i had to put the book down

Not for every fan. I could really use some Amazon reviews from those here who've read it!