The Change (Wilders #0.5) by Cass Kim

The Change (Wilders #0.5) Reviews

• 
  K.A. Miltimore

  I loved this prequel because the whole time I was wondering "what would I do" in the main character's shoes. She's a teenager in Chicago, when something very wrong breaks out very quickly. Things we all rely on break down - cellphone service, electricity, security.
  The Change is a shorter story and my only criticism is that for me it could have been a little longer because Cass Kim did a great job building tension and planting hints as to what was coming. I am glad I read this prequel before jumping into the subsequent novel, Wilders. I can't wait to see where this situation goes. For me, a modern horror story is scariest when it deals with a plague type situation and how life is impacted by that Change.
• 
  Rusty

  Review coming soon ...
• 
  Laura Verburg

  What an awesome addition to the world of apocalyptic origin stories!
  
  Although the author’s novel Wilders was published first, I started with The Change, since it serves as a prequel for the events of Wilders. I really loved reading this novella, and the way it focuses completely on the early days of a zombie-like outbreak. So often in these types of stories, we get some explanation as to how things began, but it is frequently just a brief mention or a flashback. I like that Cass Kim chose to focus her story as the outbreak unfolds, it gave everything a greater sense of urgency and relatability, as the reader learns about what’s happening along with the characters. The details of how it all begins—frantic news reports, the mistaken belief that it’s drug-related, even the problem of having a low cell battery and no charger while trying to get in touch with loved ones—all felt well thought out and realistic.
  
  As the story goes on, I enjoyed the cast of characters the author chose to focus on. At least half (or more) of what could be considered the main characters are female, which I personally appreciated considering this genre often leans more towards a focus on male characters. And although they range in personalities, there are no stereotypical “shrinking violets” here waiting to be rescued, or existing for the sole purpose of being killed by the infected. Despite getting to know them only briefly (it’s a fairly short book, after all), the reader comes to care about all the characters and what their fate ends up being. The author also weaves in some clever hints and really great foreshadowing for what’s to come for certain characters in the latter part of the book. I picked up on a few things, and it heightened the suspense waiting to see if my hunches were right. I also appreciated how well everything tied-in to Wilders. Having now read both books, I liked that what is established in The Change is consistent with the world of Wilders, and how the epidemic has spread in the intervening years.
  
  My only issue is how quickly the story comes to an end! After following the characters through the first few hours of the outbreak in Chicago, the action stops a bit abruptly for me. It felt like there were still a lot of places the story could’ve gone, and I would’ve loved to see more of what happened in the early days of what will come to be known as the “half-pocalypse” (LOVE that term!) Without giving anything away, there’s a twist at the very end that seemingly shuts the door on future books involving this specific set of characters as well. Again, this was unfortunate, because I thought there could’ve easily been an opportunity for a follow-up to The Change.
  
  Overall, a great read that sets up Wilders well, and definitely leaves you wanting more!
• 
  Helen Whistberry

  Effectively spooky prequel to Cass Kim's novel Wilders. Wilders details the aftermath of a deadly virus outbreak and how society has more or less adjusted to living in a world where zombie-like humans are just another challenge to be dealt with in day-to-day life. In this novella, Kim shows us the chilling way the original outbreak unfolded through the eyes of a teenager caught up in it when she goes to visit her aunt in Chicago. This can be read as a stand-alone story, but I found it added extra depth to have read the Wilders novel first (a book I recommend heartily if you like this genre) as it gave me an additional level of dread knowing what the future holds for the world once the virus erupts. Wilders is a longer novel, and for me, that gave space for the author to develop the characters and the tension of the story a little more, but this book does a great job of capturing the terror, violence, and confusion of being caught up in such an epidemic at its earliest stages before anyone really understands what is happening. For fans of emotional and thoughtful horror, this is a satisfying companion piece to Wilders.
• 
  Laura

  I received this book for free. I am voluntarily posting this review and any opinions expressed herein are my own.
  
  This is a prequel to the novel Wilders. [I book I highly recommend!]. Here, the focus is on the outbreak and how people are dealing with the horrors of the virus. It centers on Holly, a teenager who is visiting with her aunt when the chaos begins. It is absolutely chilling the way the virus slowly erupts, leaving everyone on their own. The story is told through the point of view of a teenager who has to make life and death decisions. The story completely pulls you in as the reality of the situation becomes clear and the dread of knowing that once virus erupts, there is no way to contain it. This is a tension-filled story as the terror and violence mounts. I highly recommend it.
  
  The narrator, Liz Brand, is the same narrator from Wilders. She does a great job in ratcheting up the tension with her voice and having you sit on the edge of seat as the drama unfolds.
• 
  Sea Caummisar

  I have to start off saying how much I loved this book. However, I bumped it down to 3.5 stars rounded to 4, and I'll explain that in a bit.
  The story centers around a girl that is staying with her aunt while her parents are out of town. She's kind of a rebel. Then a virus breaks out. At first they thought it was just drug user s, but no, it was a virus.
  The story is well written. The characters are likeable. The ending did not suit me. Just as the story started to get very interesting, it ended. Now, there was a prologue that summed everything up, but a summary isn't like reading an actual story. The author even wrote a note afterwards saying something like 'don't hate the ending'. If the ending had actually been a story, this could easily be a 5 star book
• 
  Beverly Laude

  This was a good short book involving a "drug" that seems to be changing people into monsters. Holly is spending time with her aunt Miranda in Chicago while her parents go on a cruise. In typical teenage fashion, she isn't too happy about being treated like a child. She is definitely not prepared for the horrors that await her when a strange outbreak causes people to start turning into monsters intent on killing people.
  
  The story was well-written, with relatable characters and just enough action to keep the reader's interest. The narrator did a good job and added a lot to the story.
• 
  Jessica

  I loved this prequel to Wilders, which I have not yet read but hope to soon. From teen angst, to a deadly viral outbreak that's changing humans into "crazed animals," … zombies. What a time to; at the time of this review, COVID-19 is causing quite a panic. Let's pray it doesn't go that far but it did make this book even more thrilling. Highly recommend, especially for those who love a deadly outbreak story.
• 
  Karson Lee

  This book isn't really what I expected, but it is still great. It definitely leads the reader/listener into a series that sounds like it'll have such great potential. I cannot wait to listen to the others in the series!
  
  The audio quality is excellent. I like the way the narrator reads the book and the emotion that is portrayed.
• 
  Shanna Tidwell

  Super fast paced and a quick read. Great twist at the end. The world is changing and this is the beginning of what could be the end.
  Really enjoyed it. Narration was excellent as well.
  
  I was voluntarily provided this review copy at no charge by the author, publisher and or narrator.
• 
  Georgia Tumbleweed McNabb

  This story could be a situation that could actually happen. This really makes a person look a bit deeper into protection, security, and safety. I will on to listen to the next book to see where it leads. Narrator did a good job bringing the characters and situation to life.
• 
  Deborah

  This was a scary good beginning. At first I didn't think I was going to like it because the main character was an unlikable teen. By the end I was wanting more, as a short prequel it wasn't nearly enough. Now I must read the series. The narration was excellent.
• 
  Sam

  A good short informative prequel for the Wilder's series! Where it all starts! A good quick read!
• 
  James Verburg

  I started The Change without having first read Wilders. Much like starting Fear The Walking Dead without first watching the show that inspired it. As in that example, I knew going in that there would be an outbreak of some kind that would lead to a world overrun by ‘Zombies’, but I had no idea how any of this would transpire.
  In zombie lore, there are no new avenues to explore that haven’t been tread, be it Night of the Living Dead, World War Z, 28 Days Later or the aforementioned Walking Dead. That doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Having ground work and rules laid out allows authors to start from a solid platform and focus more on building the human side of their story without spending a ton of time detailing ‘their’ zombies. And Cass Kim does just that. In slightly under 100 pages, she has presented a cast of wonderful, real characters you actually care about and become invested in. When trouble comes and lives are put into harm’s way (which they inevitably are), you feel something for each of these people.
  I loved the zombie Cass has filled her story with (reminding me of the creatures in World War Z and the new Dawn of the Dead movie). They are frightening and seemingly unstoppable. But I loved the humans even more. Holly is one of my favorite horror-literary characters I’ve read this year. Her relationship with her aunt is so real and beautiful. Luke’s story arch broke my heart, and Jeffers was a true hero who I loved (although an unfortunately short lived love).
  Overall, a very entertaining story with scares and plenty of heart. I’m excited to start Wilders and see where this story goes.