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I Like Dead Things That Move
Blood Ever After follows a teenager who, after grappling with the suicide of his brother, navigates a zombie-infested, dystopian world to reunite with his parents and his newfound love amidst a backdrop of anarchy. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I read a book called Tomorrow When the War Began and decided I wanted to write something similar to it. Since I was reading and watching a lot about zombies at the time, I decided to infuse the idea of a zombie apocalypse and a bunch of teenagers alone in a post-apocalyptic world together. It took a few rewrites to get it where I wanted it, but I like the end result, particularly the second half …
Tyler’s transformation from dealing with personal tragedy to becoming an inspiring hero is remarkable. How did you approach the development of his character?
I needed Tyler to change from being a lost young boy to almost a horrible, but courageous monster by the end of the story. For that to happen, something needed to trigger his confidence, his desperation, in a sense. I decided that the worst thing to happen to someone can also be the thing that makes them someone anew, and gives them hope.
The horror elements, particularly the presence of zombies, adds an intriguing layer to the plot. Can you talk about your decision to include these elements and how they served the overall story?
I was watching lots of zombie films at the time, so, for me it was a natural inclusion. I knew a lot about them. What I like about these zombies is that they don’t enter the story until over the half-way mark, which I don’t think has been done before that much. The zombies serve the story by adding an element of horror. It’s probably not some inclusion of deep symbolism, I just like dead things that move. 😊
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I’ve just finished a kids’ book called Monster Hunter Madness which will come out in a few weeks, and have cook pics and stuff. It’s like Diary of a Wimpy Kid for horror fans.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook
Tyler misses his brother. He lost Joshi two years back now to suicide, and Tyler – emotionally at least – has not recovered. The panic attacks. Depression. Regret. All of it. All bottled up for him and him only.
Until the apocalypse, that is.
Now the dead have risen one more time, and with them Tyler’s brother.
Joshi just wants to see Tyler one more time … to give him a hug … to tell him he loves Tyler … and that he wants to be with him, forever.
Will Tyler have what it takes to withstand his brother’s approaches, or will he flail at the last moment, succumbing to his brother’s deadly love, and destroy himself in the process?
Blood Ever After is a new adult horror thriller, with depth, heart, and some quirky jokes.
Trigger warning: contains themes of suicide, violence, and gore. Includes language some may find offensive.
Blood Ever After
In Sean O’Connor’s thrilling novel, “Blood Ever After,” readers are escorted into the emotionally charged world of Tyler, a teenager coping with the tragic suicide of his brother, Joshi. As Tyler wrestles with the phantom pain of his brother’s absence, he finds a comforting distraction in the form of Charlotte, a captivating and assertive new arrival at his school.
This fleeting tranquility, however, is abruptly shattered when a cataclysmic event decimates their world, reducing the population significantly, including the tragic loss of Tyler’s family. Simultaneously, a sinister wave of anarchy engulfs their home city of Oakland, as nocturnal marauders instill an atmosphere of fear in the eerily vacant streets. Undeterred, Tyler, together with an unlikely group of allies, shoulders the responsibility of guardians, striving to reinstate a modicum of order in the wake of dystopian chaos. Amid survival struggles, Tyler embarks on a personal quest fraught with considerable challenges, aiming to reunite with his parents and Charlotte.
O’Connor’s novel plunges the readers into a potent cocktail of suspense, raw horror, and the tender elements of teenage romance. Tyler’s remarkable transformation from a victim of personal tragedy to an inspiring hero makes him an exceptionally relatable character for readers.
The narrative unfolds at a brisk tempo, captivating the reader from the onset. This swift pacing will likely appeal to those who relish intricate, dynamically evolving storylines. The dialogue is characterized by hearty, vernacular language, with sporadic profanity included, which may enhance authenticity for some readers, though it may not resonate with everyone’s taste. The novel bravely ventures into horror elements, notably zombies, which lends an additional layer of fascination for aficionados of this genre. The inexplicable absence of some characters infuses a sense of mystery, potentially piquing the interest of readers intrigued by deciphering the narrative’s ultimate trajectory.
“Blood Ever After” is destined to captivate horror enthusiasts, intertwining moments of palpable fear with a sensitive exploration of youthful relationships. This narrative offers a compelling study of resilience, illuminating a unique perspective on overcoming personal tragedy and symbolizing a beacon of hope amidst overwhelming adversity.
Pages: 326 | ASIN: B0BTC2B64K
LITERARY TITAN 