Patient ZeroAuthor: Jonathan Maberry
Series: Joe Ledger #1
Published by: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: March 3, 2009
Format: eBook
Pages: 421
Source: Purchased
When you have to kill the same terrorist twice in one week there's either something wrong with your world or something wrong with your skills... and there's nothing wrong with Joe Ledger's skills. And that's both a good, and a bad thing. It's good because he's a Baltimore detective that has just been secretly recruited by the government to lead a new taskforce created to deal with the problems that Homeland Security can't handle. This rapid response group is called the Department of Military Sciences or the DMS for short. It's bad because his first mission is to help stop a group of terrorists from releasing a dreadful bio-weapon that can turn ordinary people into zombies. The fate of the world hangs in the balance...
Oh, how I love Jonathan Maberry! Not only because his books completely rock, but also because he writes the only books my 15-year-old son begs me to buy. We both love the Benny Imura series, so I thought I would let him try the Joe Ledger series to read over the summer. We started reading Patient Zero at the same time, and while it took me a little longer to get through it because of time constraints, my son devoured it. He would not stop talking about it the whole time! I asked him if he wanted to write a review, but he said no – he hates to write. But he did want me to tell everyone that this a badass book and that you have to read it! So there you go.
Patient Zero was smart, witty, and action packed. I love how Maberry makes something like zombies seem so realistic in the world as we know it now. One more thing this author did so well, was add great twists to the story. Throughout the whole book there are people and situations that your are constantly trying to figure out. I love that! And honestly, too often while reading zombie books, there are times where I feel things could have been answered better or explained. With this book, Maberry covers all his bases.
The characters in this book are great. Seriously, this is another thing Maberry rocks at, he writes amazing characters. Joe Ledger kicks ass! He’s a total smartass, he’s logical, and he literally does kicks ass. No joke, my son is into martial arts now because he wants to be like Joe. So many other characters standout in this book too. I mean really, it’s hard to forget any of them.
Overall, Patient Zero is way up there. I’m definitely going to read the rest of the series, especially since my son is now on the third book and tells me no less than five times a day to start the second book.
Ahh I really need to pick up something by Maberry soon! I’m glad to hear both you and your son are fans. Lovely review! 🙂
Yes you do, Sam! But start with Rot & Ruin. 😀
This is fabulous! I actually just read it myself. Well about a month or so ago and I agree, it really kicked ass! You may also like This Dark Earth by John Hornor Jacobs. Both are a serious 5 in my book! 😉
Let me know if you start the second in the series. I have yet to start it but my hubby keeps pushing me. I want to, just busy, busy, busy!
Oh sweet! Thanks for the heads up about This Dark Earth. I just added it to my TBR.
I’m going to start the 2nd book in a couple of days. My son won’t leave me alone until I do. It’ll probably take me forever to complete, but at least I can tell him I started it. lol
Oh wow, this looks so cool! This is definitely something that I would enjoy. Thanks for showing it to us, this is going right to the top of my wishlist!
Steph @ SteppingOutOfThePage.co.uk
Thanks for stopping by, Steph! Yeah, this is a definite must read 😀
Since I haven’t read a zombie book this seems like a great one to add to my TBR list. I love kickass characters and it’s great that the story is unpredictable and convincing!
I usually recommend Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry as a first zombie book, but honestly, all of his books are amazing to start with.
oh! I hadn’t heard of this one – but it sounds really good!
LIZ! You need to read it!
A bad Ass Book! Well that is a compelling reason to read this. I am excited to hear that this book ignites a fifteen year old boy to read. It must be good!
ooh my like….adding to my never ending wish list!
The blurb got my attention that is for sure.
How neat that you and son read the same thing, hope to do that when my daughters are big enough.
Brandi from Blkosiner’s Book Blog
That’s so awesome that your son is excited about this book (or author in general) I hope my daughter is like that when she’s older.
I haven’t had much urge to read his books but I don’t know, your passionate review has me thinking I may need to give him a chance!
Thanks for that wonderful review. The Joe Ledger series is great fun to research and write. I’m currently preparing to write the sixth book in the series (CODE ZERO) and doing edits on the fifth (EXTINCTION MACHINE).
As for the ROT & RUIN series…we just sold the film rights to that.
Happy Reading!
I’ve not read anything by this guy yet…really want to. This was one of the books that I told myself AGES ago that I’d read…and didn’t. It’s really awesome you got your son to enjoy this-we’re similar ages so I think I’d like this too. Great review 🙂
Yes, you NEED to. 😀 I suggest starting with Rot & Ruin (Benny Imura series). SO good!
…No comment…
Lol! I will finish this by the end of the year. I MUST!!!! 🙂
Lol… uh-huh. My son started the 4th book, so I went ahead and started the 2nd. I promised him that I would read at least 3-4 chapters a day. 😀
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