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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
Just finished the first book and I have to say I really liked this book. There was never a boring part and I really liked the character Benny Imura. I really like the authors take on the life with zombies. I also like how Benny and his brother Tom's relationship ship was rocky at first but towards the end Benny did start to forgive his brother and love him even though he would never say it. I'm really happy I decided to read this book and I can't wait to read the rest of the series
Usually, I try to breakdown books into what I like and hated, but I pretty much hated everything. This gets an extra star because I finished it, and because I think I liked something about it, just don't ask me to pin down what yet.
The world building is illogical. Why on earth would the dead not rot? Biologically improbable. Also, this is another one where the military failed because they didn't realize they were dealing with zombies. The more and more that zombies rise in popular culture, the less and less likely this feels. Like seriously, no one anywhere figured out that you need headshots? Then there's this sentiment, which is as fresh as last week's fish:
Sigh. I spent the entire time up to Chapter 20 thinking about how banal this book is (it picks up for about nine chapters, then takes another dive). I even tried to imagine how I would feel if I had never read a zombie book or any post-apocalyptic fiction, if this were all new territory, and I have to admit that I strongly suspect that I'd still hate it. The dialogue is terrible. I would prefer to never hear Nix and Benny have another conversation ever again, and there's a lot of name yelling throughout, which gets irritating. "BENNY!" "NIX!" "TOM!"
The plot is beyond stupid, and as I mentioned in my update, I do not find zombies sympathetic, at all. So while Benny was weeping into his muffins, I was rolling my eyes. Zombies want to eat you. Kill all the zombies. Also, if I was a zombie, I would desperately want someone to put me down rather than letting me roam majestic and free.
Ah, came up with what I liked, but it's also a little stupid.
I think, really, it can best be summed up with this line from the book:
Yeah, you know who imagined this without having seen it? Jonathan Maberry. I think I'm not reading any more of his books.
10/31/12 Downgraded to one star. I read a slightly less dumb version of the same book ([b:The Forest of Hands and Teeth|3432478|The Forest of Hands and Teeth (The Forest of Hands and Teeth, #1)|Carrie Ryan|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320633297s/3432478.jpg|3473471]), and the thing that I thought I liked about this one is a total red herring per the sequel.
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I liked Maberry's entry in [b:The Living Dead 2|8305839|The Living Dead 2|John Joseph Adams|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1347984853s/8305839.jpg|13154862] - "Zero Tolerance." I thought it was interesting and creepy, although initially a little hard to follow. The reviews for [b:Patient Zero|3993839|Patient Zero (Joe Ledger, #1)|Jonathan Maberry|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1316125347s/3993839.jpg|4039913] were pretty mixed though, so I decided to skip it. When I saw that he also wrote a YA series with fewer mixed reviews, I decided to give it a go, especially since it was available at the library. I do wonder though how concerned I should be that someone has clearly bitten the plastic covering the dust jacket; both bottom corners have been gnawed.
The world building is illogical. Why on earth would the dead not rot? Biologically improbable. Also, this is another one where the military failed because they didn't realize they were dealing with zombies. The more and more that zombies rise in popular culture, the less and less likely this feels. Like seriously, no one anywhere figured out that you need headshots? Then there's this sentiment, which is as fresh as last week's fish:
"Is that where it all started?" Benny asked.
The artist shrugged. "I don't think so. Over the years you talk to people, and you hear a hundred stories about how it all started. You know what I really think?"
Benny shook his head.
"I think it doesn't matter one little bit. It happened. The dead rose, we fell. We lost the war and we lost the world. End of Story. How it happened does matter much to anyone anymore. We're living next door to the apocalypse, kid.
Sigh. I spent the entire time up to Chapter 20 thinking about how banal this book is (it picks up for about nine chapters, then takes another dive). I even tried to imagine how I would feel if I had never read a zombie book or any post-apocalyptic fiction, if this were all new territory, and I have to admit that I strongly suspect that I'd still hate it. The dialogue is terrible. I would prefer to never hear Nix and Benny have another conversation ever again, and there's a lot of name yelling throughout, which gets irritating. "BENNY!" "NIX!" "TOM!"
The plot is beyond stupid
Spoiler
"Oh noes, someone could possibly locate The Lost Girl. She might know where Gameland is, then if someone found her, she could tell them about it, and they could tell the townspeople that I'm involved with Gameland, which will ruin my reputation in town. To prevent this unlikely chain of events, I should really kill two people, half-kill a kid, and kidnap a girl, which will ruin my reputation in town." Um, what? Moreover, the townsfolk don't give a shit.Ah, came up with what I liked, but it's also a little stupid.
Spoiler
It was the promise of the jet, of finding something more of civilization further east. As to why it's stupid, who the hell takes a jet scouting? Did anyone else read [b:The Dog Stars|13330553|The Dog Stars|Peter Heller|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1344370470s/13330553.jpg|18538203]? Yeah. Okay, double spoiler for [b:Dust & Decay|9917998|Dust and Decay (Benny Imura, #2)|Jonathan Maberry|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1293823083s/9917998.jpg|14360639], which I skimmed at the book store and now have no interest in readingSpoiler
They don't even follow the f-ing plane, but instead end up doing an almost exact repeat of the first book, followed with a really, really stupid ending.Spoiler
Tom dies, and promises not to come back as a zombie, and then some how doesn't. WTF? It's not voluntary.I think, really, it can best be summed up with this line from the book:
"Kiddo, if you were capable of imagining this without having seen it, I'd be scared for you. Maybe scared of you."
Yeah, you know who imagined this without having seen it? Jonathan Maberry. I think I'm not reading any more of his books.
10/31/12 Downgraded to one star. I read a slightly less dumb version of the same book ([b:The Forest of Hands and Teeth|3432478|The Forest of Hands and Teeth (The Forest of Hands and Teeth, #1)|Carrie Ryan|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320633297s/3432478.jpg|3473471]), and the thing that I thought I liked about this one is a total red herring per the sequel.
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I liked Maberry's entry in [b:The Living Dead 2|8305839|The Living Dead 2|John Joseph Adams|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1347984853s/8305839.jpg|13154862] - "Zero Tolerance." I thought it was interesting and creepy, although initially a little hard to follow. The reviews for [b:Patient Zero|3993839|Patient Zero (Joe Ledger, #1)|Jonathan Maberry|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1316125347s/3993839.jpg|4039913] were pretty mixed though, so I decided to skip it. When I saw that he also wrote a YA series with fewer mixed reviews, I decided to give it a go, especially since it was available at the library. I do wonder though how concerned I should be that someone has clearly bitten the plastic covering the dust jacket; both bottom corners have been gnawed.
Check out my review at: http://wellreadinya.blogspot.com/2012/05/book-review-rot-and-ruin-by-jonathan.html
This is a zombie book that is not about zombies. Which is actually a really impressive feat, and what makes some of the best fantasy books, particularly in YA. (Trust me, at this point I'm really ONLY interested in reading vampire books that are not about vampires, for example.)
What this book IS about is a coming-of-age story. It's about a relationship between brothers. And it's about how the monsters are not always the monsters.
A great book, well paced and plotted, and I enjoyed every moment of it.
What this book IS about is a coming-of-age story. It's about a relationship between brothers. And it's about how the monsters are not always the monsters.
A great book, well paced and plotted, and I enjoyed every moment of it.
Not a great book. If you are looking for somethings try "Dark Roots"
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
medium-paced
It's not very well written and I had trouble following a bit of the action. I found a bit of bit to be rather predictable but what was enjoyable was the unique story. Most books write about how zombies are cruel evil blood thirsty demons but this had a very refreshing take on zombies. The chapters are short which keeps me interested and lingering for more. Quick and easy read. Not sure I'd read the sequel but I'm glad I picked this book up.
*Spoilers*
I really really enjoyed this book. It was fast and kept me entertained. The characters were interesting and not boring and I might be a little in love with Tom.Rot and Ruin is a moving tale about two brothers and it is pretty deep if you think about it and it makes you look at the living dead in a new light. I love how Nix isn't a flimsy heroine character but she is not completely tough and strong. I find this perfect. I love how Benny isn't the most perfect guy. He messes up which is only normal because he's not prefect. I got really sad during Tom's "death". I knew deep inside that he wasn't really dead, that he will show up later, but you get distracted from that so when he shows up, you are surprised and probably happy. I know I was. I am planning to read the next book in the series and I apologize for my very unorganized review.
I really really enjoyed this book. It was fast and kept me entertained. The characters were interesting and not boring and I might be a little in love with Tom.Rot and Ruin is a moving tale about two brothers and it is pretty deep if you think about it and it makes you look at the living dead in a new light. I love how Nix isn't a flimsy heroine character but she is not completely tough and strong. I find this perfect. I love how Benny isn't the most perfect guy. He messes up which is only normal because he's not prefect. I got really sad during Tom's "death". I knew deep inside that he wasn't really dead, that he will show up later, but you get distracted from that so when he shows up, you are surprised and probably happy. I know I was. I am planning to read the next book in the series and I apologize for my very unorganized review.