The Infection

Five ordinary people must pay the price of survival at the end of the world …

 

A mysterious virus suddenly strikes down millions. Three days later, its victims awake with a single purpose: spread the Infection. As the world lurches toward the apocalypse, some of the Infected continue to change, transforming into horrific monsters.

In one American city, a small group struggles to survive. Sarge, a tank commander hardened by years of combat in Afghanistan. Wendy, a cop still fighting for law and order in a lawless land. Ethan, a teacher searching for his lost family. Todd, a high school student who sees second chances in the end of the world. Paul, a minister who wonders why God has forsaken his children. And Anne, their mysterious leader, who holds an almost fanatical hatred for the Infected.

Together, they fight their way to a massive refugee camp where thousands have made a stand. There, what’s left of the government will ask them to accept a mission that will determine the survival of them all–a dangerous journey back onto the open road and into the very heart of Infection.

 

“Brilliant and terrifying!” –Jonathan Maberry, author of Patient Zero

#14 on Top SciFi Books’ “25 Best Post-Apocalyptic Books, complete list here

“Not just another zombie story … DiLouie takes everything you know and love about the world and turns it into something else entirely. Unflinching horror and surreal, almost dream-like imagery combine to make The Infection a disturbing, nightmarish read.” –David Moody, author of Autumn

“What makes The Infection worth reading? Why is it just a bit more disturbing than other horrific tales of the end of days? The book’s closed. How come I can’t shake it? DiLouie’s story has a few tricks up its sleeve, making it a stand out book in an otherwise glutted genre … DiLouie carefully recreates our society and our military, populates it with people we want to know, then proceeds to bring the horror, devastation, and heroes we require.” –Fangoria, full review here

“One of the best novels I have read in a long time … This is great writing–relentless and unflinching … If I had to sum up the book in three words it would simply read: ‘Oh my God!’ It is that rare novel … that ‘happens to you.’ You are not merely a reader but a victim of the Hell it portrays. It leaves you numb from the assault. I highly recommend this book to anyone. I read a book or two a week and still will probably never forget this one. It is that damn good!” –George Wilhite for HorrorReview.com, full review here

“28 Days Later meets The Mist … action-packed zombie mayhem that you won’t want to put down … a definite page-turner right from the get-go all the way to the insanely intense final scene.” –Tony Schaab, TheGOREScore.com, full review here

“It’s about the different types of folks who might survive the apocalypse, how they managed to survive, and the kind of people they’ve become in the immediate aftermath. It’s about trying to deal with the fact that your family and friends are all dead while something else is trying to infect you … This book was an absolute joy to read … If you want a book that will disturb you and give you the creeps, check this one out.” –Peter Clines, author of Ex-Heroes, full review here

“DiLouie does a cut-up job of presenting what it would really be like if everything were to fall apart. The human element is on full display here–the longing, the despair, the paralyzing fear … It’s inventive and fresh, offering an insider’s perspective on pain and terror … It made me edgy, sad, joyous and angry–sometimes at the same time. DiLouie is an author who knows his voice, and he uses it to near perfection … this small-press offering is just about as good as it gets.” –Shock Totem Issue No. 4, full review here (pp. 62-64)

“A page-turner of the highest order… one of the most emotional, unsettling, and satisfying takes on the zompocalyse yet to see print … I’m hereby citing DiLouie as a must-read author. Here’s hoping for an extremely short wait to his next published offering.” –Chuck McKenzie for Necroscope, full review here

“Craig DiLouie does zombies and the apocalypse very well. His descriptions are so vivid and his characters so true-to-life that I’m starting to wonder if he’s actually a time-traveler from a broken future where mutated and violent monsters stalk the land … It is simply one of the best toppling of society stories you’ll ever read … a cross-genre masterpiece that doesn’t let go.” –MyBookShelfReview.com, full review here

“From the very first chapter of this post-apocalyptic novel, I was drawn into this story of not just horror, but of sacrifice … This book proves that just because it’s ‘indie’ horror doesn’t mean it couldn’t stand alongside the greats. The book is simply stunning.” –Rhonny Reaper, Dollar Bin Horror, full review here

“Unique and great, The Infection stands above many of its peers in the post-apocalyptic/zombie genre … Plenty of violence and gore, great characters, moments of suspense, and great monsters, making The Infection a unique brand of zombie/post-apocalyptic horror that genre readers should not miss.” –Strange Amusements, full review here

“Gives the reader something very exciting and different. The storyline moves incredibly fast and is beyond the regular apocalyptic novel. It offers the reader many new horrors and the scenes with the infected are particularly terrifying … I would recommend this novel to any reader.” –LivingDeadMedia.com, full review here

“DiLouie is an excellent storyteller who knows how to craft an artfully gritty and horrific undead scenario … a scenario that is both impressive in scope, and a frighteningly nightmarish twisting of the zombie formula.” –AWilltoAct.com, full review here

“A brilliant zombie novel … a great fix for any zombie lover who wants an all-out apocalyptic tale with hardened and scared survivors. One of the best zombie books I’ve read.” –The Fringe Magazine, full review here

“A good read … DiLouie raises the action and strangeness up by levels over the course of the book, in convincing strongly written prose. He goes from moments of stillness and calm to breakneck madness at the drop of a hat.” –RevolutionSF, full review here

“Fans of the genre will love this, it’s everything the recent TV show The Walking Dead aspires to be. Throw in a couple of Resident Evil-type monsters and the heart of 28 Days Later, and you have all the best elements of a zombie story in one place.” –Ric’s Reviews, full review here

“A brilliantly written and exceptional tale, not only of the world coming to an abrupt bitch-slap of a halt, but the characters themselves and how they got to be where they are and continue to grow as survivors … Those interested in your own apocalyptic preparation could use this book as a manual for preparing the mind for survival. Pick it up. You’ll be glad you did.” –Zombie Apocalypse Preparation, full review here

“While The Infection is incredibly strong in its action sequences and far above average character development, the best part of the book is the strikingly original horrors in this new world. Clearly, the images of the Screaming are a disturbing start to the book, but the monsters are terrifyingly fun!” –AllThingsHorrorOnline.net, full review here

“Captivating … I could not wait to start reading again every time I had to put it down. Craig DiLouie did an amazing job at turning the usual zombie story on its head and shaking everything loose. I could not wait to see what fell out next. I felt my breath catch every time some new terror appeared on the pages.” –Twisted Central, full review here

“Readers of The Infection will be taken on an emotional journey through the lives of each survivor … DiLouie pairs empathy, suspense, and hope into a progressive nightmare that ends with the reader standing alongside humanity at the gates of hell. It’s up to you to find out how it ends.” –Hearse-Say Magazine, full review here