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okafon's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
audreychamaine's review
5.0
It’s been six months since Benny Imura first set foot into the Rot and Ruin, and all that time Benny’s brother Tom has been training Benny and his friends. Together, they plan to leave the safety of their town and travel across zombie-infested country on a scouting mission. However, there are larger forces at work out in the Rot and Ruin–forces that want all of them dead. What’s most frightening about the Rot and Ruin is that the scariest thing out there isn’t the zombies, it’s the living.
This follow up novel to Rot & Ruin is as good, if not better, than the first of the series. Benny’s a much more mature character at this point, so it’s easier to read along with him and root for him in dire situations. We also get to experience more interaction with Lilah, the Lost Girl, and with Benny’s friend Chong. Benny and Nix add depth to their relationship, as do Benny and Tom. All in all, we’re seeing growth of characters we already care about, and are introduced to new compelling players in the story.
Speaking of new characters, there are many more cameos by the mercenaries featured on the zombie cards of the first book. The inclusion of these characters added another dimension to the novel, and I loved seeing them in action.
Tom Imura really shines in this novel. If you thought he was good in the first book, in this book he’s practically a justice-serving god. He’s an amazing fighter, but also has a real depth of feeling for his brother and for humanity in general. I had a total character crush on Tom, and would want him on my side, zombie apocalypse or not.
Dust & Decay is absolutely action-packed, and keeps you guessing. I lost plenty of naptime on the train because I just had to keep reading. Maberry’s mastered the art of cliffhanger chapters, and rocks at action sequences. I think this series also allows him to show off his skill at writing emotion and pathos. I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for the next book in the series, and if you read this book, you will be too.
This follow up novel to Rot & Ruin is as good, if not better, than the first of the series. Benny’s a much more mature character at this point, so it’s easier to read along with him and root for him in dire situations. We also get to experience more interaction with Lilah, the Lost Girl, and with Benny’s friend Chong. Benny and Nix add depth to their relationship, as do Benny and Tom. All in all, we’re seeing growth of characters we already care about, and are introduced to new compelling players in the story.
Speaking of new characters, there are many more cameos by the mercenaries featured on the zombie cards of the first book. The inclusion of these characters added another dimension to the novel, and I loved seeing them in action.
Tom Imura really shines in this novel. If you thought he was good in the first book, in this book he’s practically a justice-serving god. He’s an amazing fighter, but also has a real depth of feeling for his brother and for humanity in general. I had a total character crush on Tom, and would want him on my side, zombie apocalypse or not.
Dust & Decay is absolutely action-packed, and keeps you guessing. I lost plenty of naptime on the train because I just had to keep reading. Maberry’s mastered the art of cliffhanger chapters, and rocks at action sequences. I think this series also allows him to show off his skill at writing emotion and pathos. I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for the next book in the series, and if you read this book, you will be too.
deemazztan's review
5.0
WOW!!! I finished it and could read it again! Wish it were next August so I could read the next installation. Will have to branch out to other books by this author.
sparklingreader's review
4.0
I was fortunate to be able to read the ARC of this latest zombie book from Jonathan. He's at it again, with Dust and Decay being the second book in his zombie series. The first was Rot & Ruin, an excellent book.
This book takes up where the first one left off. Benny and his friends are training hard under the tutelage of Benny's brother, Tom. Lilith, the lost girl, has joined them as they prepare to do battle against the zombies. In the previous book, they killed Charlie Pink-eye and shut down the infamous Gameland - a place where kidnapped children were forced to fight zombies for entertainment of the betting and twisted spectators. Unfortunately, just because you take down one uber-bad guy, that doesn't mean there aren't more to take his place. Which is what happens. I won't go into all the gory details - and they are very gory - suffice it to say that the Inura boys and their friends kick some major butt - but not without great cost.
Though the story was well done, I didn't like this one as much as I did the first one. I thought it much more graphic (okay, I know it's a horror book, but the first one wasn't as bad) and the point of view switching was more obvious - at least to me.
Don't get me wrong - if you like horror books, you'll like this one. The story is a good one and I sat there and cried as I read the last chapters, which means I really cared about the characters and that's good writing. It was just a little too icky for my tastes, but still a good book.
If you haven't read Rot & Ruin, I suggest you read that one first. It's not necessary in order to understand the story, but it does give you more background into the characters and let you know why they're doing what they're doing. Together, the books are two of the best zombie horror books I've ever read. If that's your thing, you'll enjoy these.
This book takes up where the first one left off. Benny and his friends are training hard under the tutelage of Benny's brother, Tom. Lilith, the lost girl, has joined them as they prepare to do battle against the zombies. In the previous book, they killed Charlie Pink-eye and shut down the infamous Gameland - a place where kidnapped children were forced to fight zombies for entertainment of the betting and twisted spectators. Unfortunately, just because you take down one uber-bad guy, that doesn't mean there aren't more to take his place. Which is what happens. I won't go into all the gory details - and they are very gory - suffice it to say that the Inura boys and their friends kick some major butt - but not without great cost.
Though the story was well done, I didn't like this one as much as I did the first one. I thought it much more graphic (okay, I know it's a horror book, but the first one wasn't as bad) and the point of view switching was more obvious - at least to me.
Don't get me wrong - if you like horror books, you'll like this one. The story is a good one and I sat there and cried as I read the last chapters, which means I really cared about the characters and that's good writing. It was just a little too icky for my tastes, but still a good book.
If you haven't read Rot & Ruin, I suggest you read that one first. It's not necessary in order to understand the story, but it does give you more background into the characters and let you know why they're doing what they're doing. Together, the books are two of the best zombie horror books I've ever read. If that's your thing, you'll enjoy these.
napqueeniereads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
kerryzielke's review
5.0
Great sequel! I love the twists and turns. I had to hurry and read this book because amount of my students who were on the waiting list to read it.
bookgirl4ever's review
4.0
Nix is determined to find out where the jet came from and Benny is determined to remain in Nix's life. Tom is willing to take them out to find the jet, but then Chong decides he wants to be part of the team, despite his lack of courage or experience with zombies. Chong soon finds that he isn't cut out for the life of a zombie hunter and makes some decisions that put the group in peril. Also, the group finds out a fanatical cult that sees the zombies as perfect beings is growing and rumors of a new Gameland have risen. I think Gameland has been shut down for good but if book three has yet another Gameland open, then I will be so disappointed.
HS
HS