Patrick Freivald

I was taken on a pulse-pounding journey into a world where the line between life and death blurs, and the living must fight to survive against the undead. Freivald masterfully combines elements of horror and thriller, delivering a story that is equal parts chilling and adrenaline-fueled.

The novel follows the protagonist, a young man named Matt, who finds himself thrust into a nightmarish scenario when a deadly virus turns his high school classmates into flesh-eating zombies. As the outbreak spreads, Matt must navigate a treacherous landscape of violence and chaos, relying on his wits and survival instincts to stay one step ahead of the undead hordes.

One of the book's strengths lies in its vivid and immersive storytelling. Freivald creates a palpable sense of tension and dread, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they follow Matt's harrowing journey through a world overrun by the walking dead. The action scenes are expertly crafted, with adrenaline-pumping thrills that will leave readers breathless.

Moreover, "Special Dead" is more than just a tale of survival against the undead—it's also a story about friendship, resilience, and the strength of the human spirit. As Matt forms unlikely alliances and confronts his own fears and weaknesses, he discovers that the true measure of heroism lies not in brute force, but in compassion and sacrifice.

Some readers may find that certain plot points feel predictable or familiar within the zombie genre. Additionally, the novel's focus on action and thrills may come at the expense of deeper character development and emotional resonance.

It's a thrilling ride from start to finish, sure to satisfy fans of horror and zombie fiction. With its breakneck pacing, heart-pounding action, and engaging protagonist, Patrick Freivald has crafted a novel that will keep readers hooked until the very last page.… (more)

This is an action-packed, multi-genre book that will appeal to a wide audience. It has a bit of hard science fiction, a bit of fantasy, a bit of horror, and a lot of things going on. I was thinking of "super soldiers" as I read the book. It is also populated with strange creatures, good and evil, as well as a healthy dose of the supernatural.

The book at first has a bit of a comic book quality--I do not mean this as a criticism. At the beginning, as Matt Rowley fights a fierce battle, he seems to face defeat, but then his powers of healing kick in, and after that his precognitive powers help him. I am reminded of the 1960s TV show, "Batman." On many occasions when Batman and Robin were in big trouble, Batman would say, "Our only chance is to use the Bat-Life Jacket" or another item that saves them. Also like a comic book is the amount of blood and guts spatter.

Even though urban fantasy is not my favorite kind of literature, and super soldiers are not my particular interest (living near Fort Bragg has made me cynical over the years), I enjoyed the book. For those who enjoy this kind of action-packed narrative, the book is a goldmine.… (more)

Nice, fast-paced thriller novel.

A serial killer is murdering seemingly random people - the police can discover no connection between the murders. When they finally catch the killer, he makes them an offer: if they will allow him to walk free, he will help them to catch the real criminal: the man who has hired him to murder these people. When they embark on their quest to find out why the victims are being killed and who is ordering it, they uncover a conspiracy that involves very highly placed officials.

I really enjoyed this novel. It's fast paced and keeps you guessing. The characters are interesting and worked out quite well, and though there is some violence it is not a simple 'blood-and-gore' type of thriller.
The background story is interesting and it keeps you reading, uncovering tiny bits and pieces as the story progresses. I very much liked the descriptions of how the detectives work on the case - even the boring parts of the work that aren't very glamorous and are often skipped in novels.

Overall a very nice read - I've read some other work by Patrick Freivald and will definitely keep an eye on him!… (more)