From the author of the Amazon bestselling Broken World series, comes book two in an exciting new Zombie Apocalypse series!There was something evil living in Andrew. I’d seen it in his eyes, reflecting back at me like a spotlight. It was the brightest darkness I’d ever seen, bright enough to snuff every one of us out… out to rescue Harper from Andrew and his men. Only now they aren’t just fighting to free a teenage girl, they’re fighting to keep a promise to the man who saved them, knowing if they fail, Harper won’t be the only one at risk.
Joining forces with a new group means having help and making friends, but it also brings new conflict and the risk of losing everything they’ve worked to build over the last nine years. With zombies banging at their door and the threat of danger around every corner, Regan and Kellan will have to fight to keep their world secure and their secret from getting out.
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Kate has definitely scored a win with the second book in the Oklahoma Wastelands Series. It’s been a while since the first book was published but the story was easy to pick up again in just a few chapters into the second book. Kate L Mary’s books are a joy to read…just about everything that you would want in a post-apocalyptic zombie novel. Of course, if you are looking at a review for this book then you probably already know that you’re going to get it. One thing I really like about Kate’s stories are that every once in a while the characters talk about things from the past, that happened in other books. Those are like “aha” moments, because if you’ve not read the other books those instance pass by unknown, but if you have read them….”aha.”
The Brightest Darkness (Oklahoma Wastelands #2) was a great read by Kate L. Mary. Kellan and Regan are determined to rescue Harper from Andrew and his men. They join forces with a new group, but it brings new conflict. It can risk them losing everything they’ve worked to build. I enjoyed reading this book and can’t wait to read more in this series.
Was super excited to read this 2nd book after enjoying the 1st book, and this didn’t disappoint! Some more awesome zombie action! Loved the connection between Regan and Kellan; they are too sweet and so supportive of each other! They both are so protective of each other, and would do anything for the other. The whole group is still worried about psycho, Andrew, from the 1st book. Andrew is looking for those that are immune to zombie bites; plus, he’s just an all around disgusting, rapist individual out to take out Regan and Kellan’s group. Luckily, they find some other survivors, but with more people involved, more problems arise. There’s those individuals that are still decent, but there’s also plenty of bad survivors out there. Trust is very hard in this zombie apocalyptic world. It does get so frustrating when the group doesn’t think things through properly; especially since they’ve watched the tv show, The Walking Dead. They should know better! The characters need to go with their guts more, and should really be more vigilant; especially after surviving so long in this world. Still would love more zombie action; it would be great to see those zombies take out some of the bad guys! This one does end on a cliffhanger, so I’m excited to read the next book! Really enjoying this series so far!
Also, I listened to the Audible version of this story, and the narrator did great. She really fits the tone and characters of the story. Strong performance and a quality recording. Recommend it!
This second book is better than The Loudest Silence. Less teen like emotions and more drama and excitement. Still with some romance thrown in. There is even mention of The Broken World series.
I had a great time listening to this audiobook. I listened to the first book in this series shortly after its release last year and enjoyed it so that I went on to read many of more of the author’s works during the past year. It goes without saying that I was excited to start listening to this book and it did not disappoint. This is the second book in the Oklahoma Wastelands series, which is a series that should be read in order if at all possible. I really enjoyed slipping back into this world for a bit to check in on Regan and Kellan.
Please note there may be spoilers in this review for the first book in the series.
This book picks up shortly after the events of the first book. Regan and Kellan are determined to rescue Harper from Andrew. In a world filled with zombies and humans out to take advantage of others, things are never easy. Regan, Kellan, and their group are all really good people and are determined to protect everyone in their group. There were a lot of really exciting scenes in this book and quite a few twists that kept me guessing throughout the story.
I really like Regan and Kellan. They make a great pair and just seem to fit each other perfectly. They both feel some responsibility to others in their group and are willing to put themselves in danger to protect others. They are both very supportive of each other and Kellan doesn’t hold Regan back even though he might want to at times. It was great to see their relationship grow over the course of this story. I think that they have wonderful chemistry with each other and their history together makes everything even more believable. It was really easy to cheer them on.
Heather Firth did a fantastic job with the narration of this book. I liked all of the character voices that she used and I thought that all of the dialogue in this story felt very natural. I think that she was able to add a lot of excitement and emotion into the story. She read the story with a very pleasant voice and I had no problems listening for hours at a time.
I would recommend this series to others. I really liked the fact that this story was exciting from beginning to end. I cared about the characters and wanted to see everything work out for them. I can’t wait to read more of this exciting series and more of Kate L. Mary’s work!
I received a review copy of this audiobook from the author.
The Brightest Darkness: A Post-Apocalyptic Zombie Novel (Oklahoma Wastelands, Book 2) by Kate L. Mary and narrated by Heather Firth is a great second for the series. Recommend if you are looking for a new z series (make sure to listen in order) or have listened to the first and wondering about the second.
What’s it about? The group is dealing with the fallout from the previous events while trying to move forward, only it’s not so easy to trust in this harsh post-apocalyptic world. Those immune to the virus are no longer able to keep their secrets hidden as Andrew hunts them down. New members shake things up and the Z’s are getting smarter. The result is a fast-paced story with a good amount of action. There is a bit of romance between a few couples with the main focus on Regan and Kellan. The book ends in a cliffhanger of sorts (I need the next book ASAP please!). I love it’s set in the same world as Agnes James (another must listen for z lovers)- nice to have it all tie in.
The narrator, Heath Firth, was marvelous- love her narrations! She brings the characters to life and helps pull you into the story. Between her narration and Kate’s writing, it’s a perfect team.
Overall, I recommend, especially if you are new to Kate or Heather.
“If there’s no goodness, no humanity left in the world, we deserve to follow the dinosaurs into extinction.”
Parental guidance/trigger warnings: It’s the zompoc folks, so things like death, weapons, and not nice people doing not nice things. Threats of rape, reliving the trauma that occurred in the previous book, PTSD, some sex (semi-detailed). Language used: Sx49, Fx2.
He’d been with me since the beginning, since the moment Matt died, and without him I would have been alone, might even have been killed. More importantly, I wasn’t sure this world would have been worth it if Kellan wasn’t in my life.
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This story was absolutely amazing. But I knew it would be. If I thought I couldn’t wait to read this one, I 100% cannot wait to read book 3. We were left with the best ending, an ending that left me feeling not only hope but uneasy. I am scared for these characters and the what the future holds for them.
Seriously though, I am just so blown away by this book. I had to start a contemporary romance because if I would have started another zombie read it would have ended badly. I would have compared the two and there is no way another zombie book would rank even close to this one. At least at this time. Mary is a brilliant author. Just absolutely love her writing, her characters, the romance, and her insanely amazing zombie world. I could never get enough of her books…or zombies.
All the Stars!!
I loved every minute of this second installment in the authors new zombie series and I could not have been more disappointed when it ended way to soon! Kellan and Reagan grow closer and more free with their love , to my absolute delight, enjoying every minute they can together. Life seems like it might go back to normal , except nothing ever stays that way. Exciting and nail biting action is taken to the next level when a new group is found and they struggle to deal with Andrew and the threat his crew of mercenary men and zombies by the truckloads could cause to their loved ones. Things take a dark turn on a run that will haunt them all and ends with lives in the balance and definitely leaves me desperate for the next one!
5 Unpredictable Stars!!!
Oh Kate, Kate, Kate L. Mary!!! What’re you doing to me?!?! She writes such badass characters that I’m hooked instantly when I start a book of hers. Let me just start by saying I’m not a zombie lover(def don’t watch TWD) and yet I’m hooked on this series. Not many authors can do that.
We pick up where book one left off. Andrew has gotten Harper back and planning on turning her over because she’s immune. Regan and Kellan feel horrible about it so they make a plan to get her back.
Afterwards they run into bad weather and sinkholes. They run into a familiar stranger named Bill. Bill takes them back to the airplane hanger he calls home. Regan and Kellan can’t believe how many people live there and the stories of how they got there. Regan and Kellan invite Bill and his group to comeback and stay with them in their compound.
Once everybody is moved into the compound emotions and tension are running high. They have to stay indoors and only certain people can go outside Incase Andrew’s watching them. Bill’s number one guy Ernie doesn’t like how their group does things and def don’t like how Kellan tends to be in charge. He’s doing whatever he can to overthrow things.
Kellan and Regan finally give into their true feelings for each other. They both learn how long they’ve been hiding their feelings for each other. These two have been in each other’s lives wayyyyy before the apocalypse hit. They can’t live without each other. It’s like they can’t breathe when the other one isn’t around and bc of that they didn’t want to say they were feeling more than friendship bc they were afraid they’d loose the other one.
I’m not giving anything else away bc there’s SOOOO much more that’s going on. In this world it’s not only the zombies you have to be afraid of, it’s also the people who sleep next to you at night. There’s very few people Regan and Kellan can trust with their lives, secrets and everything else in between.
After the way this book ended I’m dying to get the next one. One of the many many reasons why Kate L. Mary is one of my favorite authors is bc she writes stories that are original, the characters are badass and they’re so unpredictable. Whenever I try to think what’ll happen or how it’s going to end… Boom!! She’ll take the book out of your hand and smack you upside your head. She’s THAT good!! So, hurry up with the next part of Regan And Kellan’s story.