Author:  Brian Kittrell

The Dying Times book cover

Page Count:  282 pages

Status:  Available!

Format(s):  Novel, 5.25″ x 8″ paperback

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The Dying Times: Nadene’s Story is the first book in a planned series of survival horror set in a post-apocalyptic world filled with flesh-eating undead zombies.  It tells the story from the perspective of a 13-year-old girl who has been thrown from an uncertain world of divorce and dealing with the stresses of a single parent family to a world overtaken by a viral disaster which turns normal people into depraved creatures hellbent on destruction.

When the disaster strikes, Nadene and her mother Pamela are forced to make decisions for their own survival, and they pick up companions along the way who may be able to help, but, in many cases, simply have nowhere else to go and are looking for a way out of the nightmare.

The book focuses on character development, fast-paced action, and descriptions that put you on the edge of your comfort zone.  I hope that zombie fans will enjoy this brand new edition to the genre, and the first book in a series of survival horror: The Dying Times: Nadene’s Story.

Author’s note:  As a note, I should say that I appreciate all reviews of the book, whether positive or negative, and I post them here on the website for transparency and honesty.  I don’t want someone buying my book if one of these reviews would have dissuaded them, as I’m not out to just sell books – I’m out to tell a story that people enjoy, and I appreciate both the good reviews with the bad.  Even bad reviews help by making the author more conscious of his own mistakes.

Reviews

Any reviews for this book are listed here:

Review by Sandra Heptinstall of Whispering Winds Book Review & Midwest Book Review: Reviewer gave The Dying Times: Nadene’s Story a 5-star rating!

“This book is a genuine masterpiece of this type of genre. Actually, it could fit into a number of different categories and styles of writing. I read a couple of chapters and then put the book down. I kept thinking about the story and decided to just read a little more. Well, I wound up reading the whole book. I found out that once you start reading this book you cannot stop.

It starts in the year 2013 where we find the eastern portion of the United States is being attacked. Missiles carrying biological agents are falling and killing thousands of people. But then a strange thing happens. Some of the dead come back to life and begin to attack and kill people who were not effected by the bombs.

I found this story to be interesting, and it may hold a whisper of what may happen if some things do not change in our world. Everyone will have their own perceptions of the story and characters. I firmly believe that this book will be enjoyed by all who read it.

I loved the way the characters were developed and how they teamed up to go west away from the horrific things that were happening to save their own lives.

This book was so good I found it hard to believe it was from a first time author. Do yourself a favor and buy the book. You won’t be disappointed.”

- Sandra Heptinstall, Whispering Winds Book Review & Midwest Book Review

Review by Nickie Hopkins, independent reviewer.  Reviewer didn’t provide a star rating.

Unlike Stephen King or even Jack London, “Dying Times” was easier to follow, and yet at the same time, just as interesting. An excellent read.  If this book was a movie, I would be the first one in line to buy my ticket.

- Nickie Hopkins, Reviewer

Review by Greyz Grimalt from Clandestine Sanctuary.

“The Dying Times: Nadene’s Story is the first book in The Survivor Chronicles series by Brian Kittrell, and I am super lucky to read this book which will be released on the third week of November.

I am not a zombie fan, but when I saw the blurb of the book, I was intrigued of what Brian’s novel could give me so I gave it a go. I decided to read the first few chapters of the book and get a feel of how the novel would progress.  Well, I didn’t stop on the first few chapters; I ended up reading the novel in one sitting.

 

I am quite amazed at how good this book is despite the fact that this is Kittrell’s first book.  It is a well-written novel, the characters are well played out, it is a fast paced read, there is not a boring moment in the book, and the ending is just enough to make you want to wait on the next book from the series.  After reading The Dying Times: Nadene’s Story, I so want to read the next book to know what will happen to Nadene and her companions.

Who may want to read this novel?  Zombie lovers, paranormal junkies, readers who loves new stuff from fresh writers, adventure seekers, and people who enjoy a good read. I would just like to include a warning to younger readers because The Dying Times includes violence, so take a little precaution in reading the novel.”

Greyz Grimalt – Clandestine Sanctuary

Review by Lori Bowland from Living Dead Media.  Reviewer didn’t provide a star rating.

This first entry into the Survivor Chronicles is the story of a teenaged girl making a perilous journey to Texas from Alabama. In her group of survivors are her mother Pamela, a homeless veteran named Wayne, a former police officer named John and a police dispatcher that they meet along the way, Susan. The world in which they live has been over run by huge numbers of zombies following a missile attack carrying a very deadly virus with it.Dying Times:Nadene’s Story is one of the top zombie stories that I have read this year.  It’s very imaginative in its presentation and has a fantastic lead in to the zombie action.  The book keeps a very steady pace and is attention-grabbing almost from the start.  The zombie scenes are incredibly grisly and are excellently written. One scene takes place in an airport which the group is trying to fly off in a helicopter. This scene is particularly terrifying as the undead are relentlessly dogging the trail of the living trying to escape. These zombies are fast and just smart enough to be even more dangerous than their cinematic counterparts.  One scene has the survivors at a cabin in a campground where they rest and regroup following a close call with a nuclear weapon in Biloxi MS.  The group were followed by dozens of the undead to their refuge.  This scene was startling. The author had fashioned some of the scariest scenes within the genre.

His characters are very interesting and exceptionally well written.  Nadene the teenaged survivor is written with a great deal of sensitivity. The author gives this character an ability which added an extra dimension to the character.   One of the better characters is Wayne, the homeless veteran. His character makes some interesting changes and eventually becomes the savior of the group.  John is a very believable leader and Susan elicits a great deal of sympathy as she takes Nadene under her wing.   I thought that all of the characters had depth and a range of personalities. I hoped that each of the characters would survive and found myself routing for them. I also think that Mr. Kitrell had created a very unusual undead world in this story.  I had alot of fun reading this story and feel that anyone who reads this book will equally enjoy it.

Lori Bowland (Tauseret), Living Dead Media

Review by Brit from Bitten by Books.

“The United States is under attack. Missiles armed with biological weapons have struck the eastern part of the country, and death and destruction are now the new world order. Nadene and her mother are heading west, hopefully to safety. Along the way they pick up other survivors and they quickly learn they will do whatever it takes to survive the zombie invasion.

This is an interesting novel that takes readers on a terrifying journey through the heart of a biological disaster. The cast of characters who have nothing in common are brought together by this disaster. We get to see them come together to fight and we experience their heartache of losing their loved ones. Nadene, a thirteen year old girl, seems to be somewhat of a secret weapon. She has visions that help them avoid danger so she is quite helpful in guiding the group.

The Dying Times is interesting but does have some problems with word usage, consistency and believability. The constant use of the words suppose for supposed and use for used is distracting. While I had no trouble suspending disbelief when it came to the zombies, I did have trouble with the more everyday situations. One of the main problems I had was when there was a fire at Nadene’s school and she went home with a friend. Her mother was working and called the house a few times and did not get an answer and she then waits until four o’clock in the morning to call her best friend to see if Nadene is there. She claims she was too busy at work to call. I do not know any mother who would not make time to find her daughter.

There were several other inconsistencies but if you can look past them the story is fun and entertaining.
The Dying Times is a fast paced story with plenty of action, some interesting characters, and enough zombie thrills and gore to please the fans of zombie fiction.”

Brit, Bitten by Books

The following excerpt was separated from the review, but is displayed here.  This excerpt refers to a pre-publication version of the book, and the part referred to has been edited out of the final version (it is included for transparency and honesty):  “Also, Nadene wakes up in terror screaming when she has her first period. She does not know what is happening. Her friend then gives her something until her mother can explain what is going on. A girl almost fourteen would know about her period if not from her mother then her friends or health class at school.”

Review by Jennifer DeNaughel from Lighthouse Dreams, author of Face the Rain.  Reviewer didn’t provide a star rating.

“This book shows definite potential to be a great novel.  It held my interest although it needs further development of the characters and dialogue.  Despite it’s flaws, it has good flow though it does suffer from some continuity problems.  I do appreciate the chance to review this book as it gives me insight into another first time author’s work.  I hope he will keep writing and keep developing his skills as he does have a talent for storytelling.”

Jennifer DeNaughel – Lighthouse Dreams