Book review by Corey
Infected
Infected picks up right after Zero Day with Zed, Murphy, and Jerome all infected but still thinking clearly. Because the other survivors are afraid of what they might become, the three are pushed out and forced back onto the streets with very little food and no real idea where they can safely go. Their search for Murphy’s family eventually leads them toward rumors of a bunker in east Austin.
The book does a good job of widening the danger beyond just the infected. Zed and the others quickly learn that normal people can be just as dangerous when fear takes over, and that gives the story more tension than a simple zombie chase. It is fast, rough, and easy to get through, while also building the relationship between Zed and Murphy into one of the strongest parts of the series.
The Goods
- Zed and Murphy work really well together
- Fast pacing
- Good mix of infected and human threats
- The bunker storyline adds mystery
- Feels like a strong step forward from the first book
The Bads
- Some characters are still lightly developed
- The survival setup can feel familiar
- A few decisions are frustrating
- Not much downtime
- Works best if you have read Zero Day first
My Recommendation
This is a very solid continuation for anyone who liked Zero Day and wants to see the Slow Burn world open up a little more. The biggest improvement is the growing bond between Zed and Murphy, because their personalities play off each other really well and give the story more energy. If you like zombie fiction that mixes fast action, dark humour, survival pressure, and the idea that other people can be just as dangerous as the infected, Infected is where the series really starts to find its rhythm.