The Beginning of the End

Written by Manel Loureiro

Narrated by Nick Podehl

The dead rise…

A mysterious incident in Russia, a blip buried in the news—it’s the only warning humanity receives that civilization will soon be destroyed by a single, voracious virus that creates monsters of men.

Humanity falls…

A lawyer, still grieving over the death of his young wife, begins to write as a form of therapy. Bur he never expected that his anonymous blog would ultimately record humanity’s last days.

The end of the world has begun…

Governments scramble to stop the zombie virus, people panic, so-called “Safe Havens” are established, the world erupts into chaos; soon it’s every man, woman, and child for themselves. Armed only with makeshift weapons and the will to live, a lone survivor will give mankind one last chance against…

Apocalypse Z

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Translator: Pamela Carmell
• Release date: Oct 23, 2012
• ISBN: 9781469217161

Manel Loureiro

Hailed as "the Spanish Stephen King," international bestselling author Manel Loureiro was born in Pontevedra, Spain, and studied law at Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. After graduating, he worked in television, both on-screen (appearing on Televisión de Galicia) and behind the scenes as a writer. His Apocalypse Z trilogy—The Beginning of the End, Dark Days, and The Wrath of the Just—catapulted him to the bestseller lists with a worldwide following. His historical thriller, The Last Passenger, was a Kindle bestseller. Loureiro continues to reside in his native Pontevedra.

Reviews for The Beginning of the End

[Gabrielle Turner · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a phenomenal book!! It’s rare to hear of such a realistic approach to a pandemic and especially one set in a different country (I’m in the U.S.). I can’t wait to read or listen to more of his books. His writing is excellent and the translation is well done.

I listened to this book while trying to go to sleep and I often found myself staying up a little longer or waking up in the morning wanting to know what happened next for the characters. This book should be on the list of any fans of the zombie or apocalyptic genre in literature.

[jpodlaski_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I do not generally read zombie novels, but with the inception of "free" books for my Amazon Kindle - every genre is now worth exploring. Once I started this book, I could not put it down. Apocalypse Z: The beginning of the End is so realistic, I had to stop reading on occasion just to make sure that I was reading a book and this wasn't really happening.A man and his best friend, an orange ball of fur cat, watch as the world crumbles around them. A deadly virus, unleashed from a secret location in Russia, is killing everyone it touches. The news reports from around the globe are vague - sharing way more questions than answers. People are dying at an alarming rate - the pandemic spreading rapidly across the globe. People are stooping to cannibalism. Within two weeks, all communication ceases. They find themselves all alone - except for those groaning "creatures" stumbling around outside.What makes this story unique is that the main character is like the reader of this book; daring to move forward without knowing the truth about what is taking place around him. His survival is based upon instinct and "on the job training" as he leaves the security of his fortress-like home to learn more and to seek out other survivors. The author is very descriptive throughout the book, painting such clear pictures, that will leave some readers with mouth agape and stomach queasy. In his quest, the main character doesn't always do the right thing, which sometimes caused him to be trapped without any visible way of escaping. I believe his furry friend shared its nine lives with his beloved owner.I do highly recommend this book and look forward to the next installment to see how this story continues. Great job Manel!John Podlaski, authorCherries - A Vietnam War Novel

[Denise Seitz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Good zombie apocalypse book- one of my favorite series so far! Realistic & well delivered!

[Daniel Emerson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Good zombie survival book. Slow starting than speeds up quickly.

[jhaneice.n.johnson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Ok I enjoyed this but but the big thing I hated was the way the MC talked about the girl he thought was 16 at the time I feel like that bit puts a bad light on him n makes one look at him different because why is he thinking sexually about a girl he thinks is 16 even though she's not he thinks she is and then to be informed that she was almost SA makes worse maybe it's just me idk ill be reading the next one but it's good to know he's a creep

[Nicholas Eaton · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

this main character is seriously a pussy. he would have ended up as food the first day. fucking grow a pair

[Girly Ali · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The story is amazing and the narrator did a wonderful job

[vecharo · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

The main character, is this what women think of men? This author’s portrayal of the main character may be true of men today and that’s just sad. The thought process and actions of this character is so unlike any man I’ve ever known in my life. These are not the action of real men! I feel insulted. If this is what is expected from men in a time of crisis, this next generation is screwed. As for us born before 1980 we’ll be alright.

[One-Eye Jawa · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Not a bad zombie story. I think the author needs to do more research on auto mechanics because you can’t just rip a car battery out of a car with your bare hands and engines don’t start to fail being overdue for an oil change by one week. Also Glocks don’t have a safety catch. There is one built into the trigger but it’s not a safety in the traditional sense. There were a few more annoyances but nothing serious.

I like how the zombies have more animal senses than the typical zombie book. That was a nice touch. Character development was slow. I felt like the main character kept making the same mistakes over and over again. That annoyed me. Not once did he pick up a spear and melle a zombie. You would think a Spaniard would have a rapier or mechette a few min into the book. Sadly no.

Over all wasn’t too bad. I’ll read the second in the series.

[Aliyah Brooks · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book! It’s interesting and will definitely keep you engaged! 10/10 would suggest!

[Carla SM · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Leí la saga en castellano hace muchos años y me encantó. Los audiolibros son perfectos para escuchar mientras caminas o haces tareas que no precisan de mucha concentración y así escucho también inglés.

[Edilyaaang · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was intense! It kept me on the edge. Finished listening to it in just a day and a half. The only thing that disturbed me was the ML's attraction to a 17 year-old. He's in his 30s btw

[Al Bieger · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book! Loved it!&5#32@&>good read, bring it on, now! Will read the next

[thealternativeone · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Book Review - Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End by Manel LoureiroApocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End Manel LoureiroTrade Paperback 333 pagesPublisher: AmazonCrossing Publication Date: October 23, 2012ISBN-13: 978-1612184340Advance Reader’s Copy – Uncorrected ProofMore zombie goodness…Normally I keep extensive notes when reading so that I can use those notes to develop my review of the book based on my “in-read” impressions. In the case of Manel Loureiro’s Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End there just wasn’t time. I became so engrossed in the story, so entertained, that I neglected (plain forgot) to keep a single note on the story. Here’s why that’s a good thing: 1) The story grabs you from the start and doesn’t let go until the last word. 2) In a word, Realism – The story, characters, and scenes are very realistic in every sense of the word. Yes, we are talking about zombies here but insert “ambulatory plague victim” and it still works on every level. 3) Very Fast Read – Apocalypse Z is an extremely fast paced story and therefore a very quick read. I think I read it in just under eight hours. 4) Settings – All the action is set in Spain and on boats off the coast and that lends an unusual European feel to the zombie situation. I thoroughly enjoyed the locales that were so very different than those found in most of the zombie stories I've read. 5) Zombies – It’s another freaking zombie story! (Period.) 6) The main character could be you or I – Mr. Loureiro’s zombie apocalypse survivor is an everyman. Not a hero, not a macho, over-the-top caricature of a survivor but the embodiment of the normal man attempting to survive in a harsh and dangerous environment. He makes mistakes and he pays for those mistakes and that’s what makes this character and the entire story so compelling.The book begins as a blog from a lonely man in Spain who’s just recently lost his wife and is looking for something to keep his mind occupied. But some very strange stories are coming out of Russia. Little by little the story unfolds that something has escaped a government facility and a pandemic is spreading. What would you do under the circumstances? Where would you go? For one man, the search for a “safe” place is not only a quest but an inward journey for survival. If there’s any negative criticism I can make it’s that the story touched very little on the fall of civilization and the wake of societal disorder. Obviously, the story is about the personal journey of one man but by making him a blogger reporting on the fall of mankind I thought the concept could have been better developed and carried through more in the story.File with: All the other good zombie books you've read this year!4 out of 5 starsThe AlternativeSoutheast Wisconsin

[dougcornelius_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Survivors, fear, death. The usual ingredients for a zombie story. Apocalypse Z brings them together in a very readable and enjoyable story. The book is structured as a blog. Well a blog, then a journal when the power and internet go down. The protagonist is holed up in his house, disobeying the government orders to go to one of the nearby safe havens. As you might expect, the safe havens end up not being very safe. The journal format is an interesting way to structure a story, but has an inherent weakness in a survival story. You know the protagonist is going to survive the encounter. Otherwise, the journal would not have been written. It still leaves you wondering about the other survivors he meets, but most of them are not very interesting.

[kristin alberts · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I would recommend this book to other zombie enthusiasts. I felt having a pet made it more enjoyable. I think he could've used more creative weapons for head shots

[Quin Simon · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I thought it was okay and at times kinda cringey and annoying. Lots of bad logic and plot holes. Like not ideal but forgivable. Whatever it’s a zombie story.

HOWEVER! GROSS WEIRDO ANNOYING CAT GUY PERVERT ALERT when the 17 y/o girl is introduced towards the very end of the story and the main character who is in his 30s is describing her “perky breasts” and saying things like “naughty girl” goddddddd like I fucking hate this perverted fucking cringe lord of an author. Absolutely avoid at all costs. Can’t believe I made it through 30 chapters of this book only to have this revealed. Ugh

[Mark Leedham · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Seemed to be constructed on a year 10 style of writing. Not enjoyable.