Title: Siege (As the World Dies #3)

Author: Rhiannon Frater

Publisher: Tor Books 2011

Genre: Zombie

Pages: 364

Rating:    5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Zombie; Mount TBR; Fall into Reading

How I Got It: I won it

The zombie illness has shattered civilization. The survivors who have found tenuous safety in Texas defend their fort against the walking dead and living bandits.  Katie has made peace with the death of her wife and is pregnant and married to Travis, who has been elected Mayor. Jenni, her stepson, Jason; and Juan—Travis’s righthand man—are a happy family, though Jenni suffers from PTSD. Both women are deadly zombie killers.  In Siege, the people of Ashley Oaks are stunned to discover that the vice president of the United States is alive and commanding the remnants of the US military. What’s left of the US government has plans for this group of determined survivors.

What a conclusion!  When I go into a zombie novel, I kinda root for a happy ending, but realize that isn't not necessary for a good book.  Without giving away details, this series has a relatively happy ending.  I am satisfied.  Throughout the series, I grieved over the loses.  And yet I rejoiced at the triumphant moments.  Overall I think the series is a story of hope.  Even in the zombie apocalypse, we must have hope.  While the religious areas got a bit cliched, the overall message of hope was nice to hear from the survivors.  The characters are real people to me now.  I see each of them in my mind.  I want to be friends with Katie and Jenni.  I want to play with Jack.  I want to help Jason build his contraptions.  I want to train with Nerit.  I want to gather in the dining all with all the residents.  I want to sit in Juan's memorial garden and reminisce about those we lost.  For me to get so deeply into the world of the series, I know it's a great one.  Check it out!

As the World Dies

• #1 The First Days
• #2 Fighting to Survive
• #3 Siege
• #4 Untold Tales Volume 1
• #5 Untold Tales Volume 2
• #6 Untold Tales Volume 3
• #6.5 Deadly Night: Jenni and Katie's Untold Tale