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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
This is a fun series. I am always interested when someone writes a series set after the zombies apocalypse. Benny lives in a town called Mountainside and generally everyone in the town likes to pretend that The Great Rot and Ruin outside the gate does not even exist. Those who travel outside the gates are held up as heroes, and Benny’s brother Tom is considered to be the best. Benny however is not convinced, he believes that his brother is secretly a coward because he did not save Benny’s mother on First Night, the day the zombies started to rise. Benny’s mind is opened, however, when Tom offers to train him to go out into The Rot and Ruin. I am now currently reading the third book in this series and it is pretty good. Benny is young, immature and arrogant when the series starts but he quickly learns that what he knows about the world is not reality. Worth reading.
Wow...what a great book. The worst thing about this book is not being able to put it down. It will make you late for dinner, it will cause you to miss a shower or two and it will definitely keep you up too late. Luckily I blew through it in a couple days. The only minor complaint I had would be the incessant teenage angst from time to time that had not to do with zombies but with girls and brothers. But very minor and was understandable come the end of the book. Awesome read. Easy 5 star.
read this a couple years ago and it would be 3 stars because I didn't feel like reading the rest of the series but it was a great concept and I'm a sucker for the "resentful child slowly finds out how much his adoptive guardian loves him" trope
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I went into Rot & Ruin expecting a pretty typical zombie story, but it ended up being way more thoughtful and emotional than I expected — in a good way. It’s horror and dystopian with a solid coming-of-age core that really hits. Think The Walking Dead meets The Hunger Games, but more heart and less drama-ish.
The pacing was on point — it never dragged, and I was hooked the whole time. Maberry’s writing style made everything so easy to visualize. The way he describes the world, the ruined towns, even the zombies — it all felt super cinematic without being overdone. I could clearly picture every scene like I was watching it unfold.
I really liked Benny and Nix — they had great chemistry and felt real. Tom was okay-ish, not super memorable for me, but not bad either. I’m also really intrigued by Lila. She didn’t get much page time, but what we saw made me want more. Definitely looking forward to seeing where her story goes in the sequel.
If you like zombie stuff but want something with more depth and emotion — without sacrificing action — this is a solid pick. It had more heart than I expected, and just the right amount of creepy.
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I return to this book as a full grown adult and still find it just as compelling as I did while I was in middle school. I appreciate the family dynamic and the themes of family, reclamation, and preservation. You can tell this was written for a young get audience but the story is definitely mature.
This was just a little too YA (Young Adult) for my tastes. If I was 13, I am sure I would have loved it, but since I am 34, I cant give it the same praise as the author's more adult fiction.
Ok. I'll admit it. I ended up kind of enjoying this book. The main character annoyed the crap out of me to begin with, but by the end of the book, I found myself starting to like him just a little bit. I guess it really goes to show the power of the writing, because Benny did a lot of growing up in this book, which I think he sorely needed.
A little predictable, but fun, and Tom is pretty good value. He was definitely the best character out of it. I found the writing style very under-developed and there was a LOT of exposition and a lot of "This character felt this way, and this character felt like this." It felt a little patronising, if I'm being honest. I know this was aimed at younger kids, but come on, they're not that stupid.
I may end up continuing the series, more because of my compulsive need to finish things that I start.
A little predictable, but fun, and Tom is pretty good value. He was definitely the best character out of it. I found the writing style very under-developed and there was a LOT of exposition and a lot of "This character felt this way, and this character felt like this." It felt a little patronising, if I'm being honest. I know this was aimed at younger kids, but come on, they're not that stupid.
I may end up continuing the series, more because of my compulsive need to finish things that I start.
dark
tense
medium-paced
Wow, I liked a zombie book! And I might even continue reading the series! Great scenario, excellent characters, intriguing plot. And I don't even feel uncomfortable giving it to 7th/8th graders- because the language is tame and there's only kissing for romance, and the killing is justified. And somehow, it would hold appeal for adult zombie fans too- definitely a recommendation for fans of The Walking Dead.