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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
I absolutely loved this book! It is a story about misconceptions and most of all a story of loss. I enjoyed the way Maberry introduced Benny as an imature boy and then took us on this journey of discovering the world is upside down. I did cry some in this book though, but that is what I loved about it, they way zombies were introduced as deceased loved ones instead of horrifying monsters, and that humans can be the worst monsters of all. I look foward to reading the next book.
Jonathan Maberry is one of the few authors I've read who really invests themselves in making unique, strong and independent characters. Even in the face of some of the more nightmarish experiences life could have thrown at them they are more than willing to face that experience head on with both strength and intelligence. His writing style is also its own unique blend of real world information, wonderful imagery, true human emotion and riveting action. In short you're not likely to find another author like Maberry and you're going to love his books!
Rot and Ruin is the fourth book I've read by Maberry(it was preceded by the Pine Deep Trilogy)and thus far I think this might have been his tightest one yet. The tale of two brothers, Benny and Tom Imura, and the world as it stands after First Night and the major affects of the zombie apocalypse it started, the book is one of few that choose to leave the major events in the past and present a world after the fact.For Benny and the other young teens he hangs out with this means that their understanding of the world as it was and now is are conflicting and confusing. Now living in walled off and protected towns the people there refuse to accept the past and try to present a future for the teens that shields them from it. Only bounty hunters like Benny's brother Tom actually go out into the Rot and Ruin and see how dangerous most of the world remains. This means that men like Tom Imura are heroes to the citizens of Mountainside, all that is except for Benny who holds a very different view of his brother.
I enjoyed Rot and Ruin very much. The interaction between Benny and his brother as well as the interaction with his friends is very true of the young teen Benny is and offers a unique view of the world in which Benny lives. What would it be like to grow up in a world after a zombie apocalypse, a time you have only a single memory of? How does it change the way the world works and the way you fit into it? How does it affect the morals and ethics of that world? Maberry does an excellent job of confronting these questions and clearly has a great time doing it. I found the interaction between the two brothers interesting and often moving and the action sequences as always were well-written. It was a nice change of pace to read a zombie novel that was about the characters rather than the zombies and the havoc they play on the world. Setting the book after most of the horror had already occurred offered a fresher view and a new place to read about. I'll be glad to be going back to reading about Benny and his world when the second book comes out!
Rot and Ruin is the fourth book I've read by Maberry(it was preceded by the Pine Deep Trilogy)and thus far I think this might have been his tightest one yet. The tale of two brothers, Benny and Tom Imura, and the world as it stands after First Night and the major affects of the zombie apocalypse it started, the book is one of few that choose to leave the major events in the past and present a world after the fact.For Benny and the other young teens he hangs out with this means that their understanding of the world as it was and now is are conflicting and confusing. Now living in walled off and protected towns the people there refuse to accept the past and try to present a future for the teens that shields them from it. Only bounty hunters like Benny's brother Tom actually go out into the Rot and Ruin and see how dangerous most of the world remains. This means that men like Tom Imura are heroes to the citizens of Mountainside, all that is except for Benny who holds a very different view of his brother.
I enjoyed Rot and Ruin very much. The interaction between Benny and his brother as well as the interaction with his friends is very true of the young teen Benny is and offers a unique view of the world in which Benny lives. What would it be like to grow up in a world after a zombie apocalypse, a time you have only a single memory of? How does it change the way the world works and the way you fit into it? How does it affect the morals and ethics of that world? Maberry does an excellent job of confronting these questions and clearly has a great time doing it. I found the interaction between the two brothers interesting and often moving and the action sequences as always were well-written. It was a nice change of pace to read a zombie novel that was about the characters rather than the zombies and the havoc they play on the world. Setting the book after most of the horror had already occurred offered a fresher view and a new place to read about. I'll be glad to be going back to reading about Benny and his world when the second book comes out!
I decided to try out this post-zombie-apocalyptic book after hearing good things about it. I definitely enjoyed it, though it was a little bit more black and white than I would have preferred; there were hints of grey moralities, but for the most part people were either good or bad. It didn't help that I kind of thought the protagonist was an idiot for the first half of the book; I realize he needed to have character growth, but it's tough starting from such a low point. I appreciated the believable nature of this world, and I also appreciated the use of the classic Romero zombie - slow moving, mindless, and only terrifying in numbers. I look forward to having the world fleshed out a little bit more in the sequels.
I enjoyed nothing about the start of this book. Didn’t like the main character, didn’t like the story set up, and I LOATHED the use of the term “zoms” for zombies that was used every 2 seconds.
Had this been a shorter read I might have tried to go forward, but for an almost 500 page book there was no way I was going to make myself miserable trying to trudge through this lame excuse for a zombie novel.
Had this been a shorter read I might have tried to go forward, but for an almost 500 page book there was no way I was going to make myself miserable trying to trudge through this lame excuse for a zombie novel.
5 stars. Excellent book.
New literary crush: Tom Imura. I LOVE him.
Read my review on my blog http://janasbooklist.blogspot.com/2010/10/zombie-week-book-review-rot-ruin-by.html
New literary crush: Tom Imura. I LOVE him.
Read my review on my blog http://janasbooklist.blogspot.com/2010/10/zombie-week-book-review-rot-ruin-by.html
Overall, this was a good read. It is well written and well thought out with serious discussions about death and loss. As well as some humor too. A different take on a zombie apocalypse story.
For the audiobook narration, I give Brian Hutchinson a 3.5/5. He has a smooth voice when reading but his choice of inflections and emotions sounded out of place and didn't make sense. There were times when Benny would say something, and I was confused on what the emotion being conveyed was. As the tone didn't reflect what was said. The accents of the characters were odd too. Everyone sounded southern or like characters from an old western movie. Now the story itself has western vibes, that's for sure, so maybe he was directed to make them sound like that. To me, the accents of all the "bad guys" sounded odd.
Now this is definitely a YA novel. I won't be finishing the series or even going into the next book. My reason for this is because I found myself, time and time again, not actually caring about the characters and what happened. I would stop the story often, sometimes for a day or two, because I simply didn't care. For me, this was not a story that had me on the edge of seat. However, that doesn't mean it was a bad story. It was good, it wasn't my cup of tea though.
Benny is a whinny, moody, and annoying teenager who knows nothing of the world or his brother. He is a believable teenager because of how stupid he is. I can't understand how he was able to remember the "first night" when he was only 18 months old, I think that was the age he was then. It's not possible for a baby to hold onto a memory like that for 13-14 years. Especially one as unintelligent as Benny.
Tom was cryptic and philosophical, a lot. He could give Socrates and Aristotle a run for their money with all his hemming and hawing. I understand why he kept holding off telling Benny certain things. Doesn't change how annoying it was. We got answers at the end, and yet again, I didn't care. The ending, I believe, was supposed to be heartfelt and emotional. However, the only time I felt any emotion in this story was when Tom read the letter to Harold Simmons. That scene made me tear up.
I agree with others in that I wish this had been a story about Lilah or even Nix. Those two girls seemed to have way better back stories than Benny. I get why it was told from Benny's POV. Still does change my opinion though.
I appreciate the George Romero reference in Chapter 31, where older folks tend to call the dead Ghouls. That's what Romero called them. Romero didn't come up with the term zombies and he also never wanted his creations to be called that. Regardless of his dislike, the term stuck, and we will forever call them zombies. Also, I dislike the term Zom.
For the audiobook narration, I give Brian Hutchinson a 3.5/5. He has a smooth voice when reading but his choice of inflections and emotions sounded out of place and didn't make sense. There were times when Benny would say something, and I was confused on what the emotion being conveyed was. As the tone didn't reflect what was said. The accents of the characters were odd too. Everyone sounded southern or like characters from an old western movie. Now the story itself has western vibes, that's for sure, so maybe he was directed to make them sound like that. To me, the accents of all the "bad guys" sounded odd.
Now this is definitely a YA novel. I won't be finishing the series or even going into the next book. My reason for this is because I found myself, time and time again, not actually caring about the characters and what happened. I would stop the story often, sometimes for a day or two, because I simply didn't care. For me, this was not a story that had me on the edge of seat. However, that doesn't mean it was a bad story. It was good, it wasn't my cup of tea though.
Benny is a whinny, moody, and annoying teenager who knows nothing of the world or his brother. He is a believable teenager because of how stupid he is. I can't understand how he was able to remember the "first night" when he was only 18 months old, I think that was the age he was then. It's not possible for a baby to hold onto a memory like that for 13-14 years. Especially one as unintelligent as Benny.
Tom was cryptic and philosophical, a lot. He could give Socrates and Aristotle a run for their money with all his hemming and hawing. I understand why he kept holding off telling Benny certain things. Doesn't change how annoying it was. We got answers at the end, and yet again, I didn't care. The ending, I believe, was supposed to be heartfelt and emotional. However, the only time I felt any emotion in this story was when Tom read the letter to Harold Simmons. That scene made me tear up.
I agree with others in that I wish this had been a story about Lilah or even Nix. Those two girls seemed to have way better back stories than Benny. I get why it was told from Benny's POV. Still does change my opinion though.
I appreciate the George Romero reference in Chapter 31, where older folks tend to call the dead Ghouls. That's what Romero called them. Romero didn't come up with the term zombies and he also never wanted his creations to be called that. Regardless of his dislike, the term stuck, and we will forever call them zombies. Also, I dislike the term Zom.
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was an interesting book, though I've read much more interesting zombie books. I did enjoy that this took place well after the first attack (when the babies have grown into young adults).
if it were possible, id give this book a 2.5. i enjoyed the zombie story (never having read one, but love zombie movies). i didn't really connect with the characters though. i admired the heroes of the story like The Lost Girl and Tom but that was the best part.
This was a pretty good book. In the beginning i was a little skeptical in the beginning because i really didnt understand nor like the main characters odd dislike towards his brother. but as the story progressed you could see his outlook change. The story has a lot to do with the cruelty of human nature, and despite the disaster of their world their are plenty evil aspects of humanity that thrive. Its about reclaiming what was lost in a world overturned by the living dead and sticking together. I really did enjoy this book and i recommend it to those who don't mind some insight on humanity even in the wake of some zombies.