Reviews

This is an EPIC book, in every sense of the word it's a huge journey through the lives of various characters during a zombie/ghoul apocalypse. It's extremely character driven - and by this I mean there are chapters devoted to characters, their lives, the situations they find themselves in and everything in between and in some cases, afterwards. And I could not stop wanting to read it! I needed to find out more about these people. I lived and breathed every moment with every one of them.

The take on zombies/ghouls was a really interesting one. The general gore and horror you would expect is there but there is so much more to it than meets the eye.

There are racial, political and social nuances throughout, but it has at its core an extreme sense of what it is to be human, and it is that aspect that threads through this novel connecting everything together.

I have never read a zombie novel before this one, though I've seen plenty of zombie movies and shows. This book played out before my reading eyes like a movie, and left something behind with me that will stay, just as those many movies and shows have. It has heart, character, nail biting intensity, cringeworthy gory scenes, heartbreaking tearful losses, and triumphant cries of victory. It does not ask all the questions, it does not give all the answers. But it doesn't need to. Etta, Greer, Chuck, Charlene, Luis, Nishimura, Muse, Jenny, Fadi, and Annie Teller. And so many, many more. Their stories build the foundation for this epic, and the superb writing draws you right in to their lives and it's fabulous.

Thank you to the authors, publishers and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

badseedgirl's review against another edition

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5.0

Zombies have been an obsession of mine for more years than I can even count, and my heart broke just a little when I heard of George A. Romero's death in July of 2017. I was thrilled when I heard that there was a zombie book written by Mr. Romero, and I have been on the library waiting list for this book since it was released August 2020. I think it is a mark of how well respected George A. Romero is, that I finally received my digital copy of this novel in March on 2021, seven months after I requested it. There are still 23 people waiting on hold for a copy. This is not the book that has been on my TBR list the longest, but was one of the most highly anticipated ones.

First let me start off by saying, I started this book with some trepidation. I am still having flashbacks from the last [a:Daniel Kraus|2782638|Daniel Kraus|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1570627730p2/2782638.jpg] book I read, [b:Rotters|18416921|Rotters|Daniel Kraus|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1410769889l/18416921._SX50_.jpg|13440919]. If you like truly disturbing books, I would highly recommend this one. But, I digress. I swore I would not read another Daniel Kraus book, but when I put my name on The Living Dead, I did not realize he was the co-author.

After reading this book, I have decided to give Mr. Kraus another try. The way he seamlessly incorporated his writing and Mr. Romero's was wonder. I really was unable to tell where his work started and ended. My only complaint about this book was the one complaint many had, it was a tad too long. If you read the afterward by Mr. Kraus, it seems like he was a true fan and tried to get as many ideas Mr. Romero left into the book. It seems like there was a rough story arc and several story ideas, but no true outline to follow in the writing.

The thing is, after reading it and thinking about it, I was not sure what I would have cut from the story to make it shorter. I suppose it could have been broken up into a couple books, but than Mr. Kraus and the publishers ran the risk of being accused of a money grab using the name of George A. Romero. All in all, they made the best decision possible in the situation.

I loved the concept of experiencing the world through the zombies. I know this is not unique to this book. But it was one of the best examples of it. Annie Teller is the best example of this. I am tagging this section of the review with spoilers

Spoiler

Throughout the book characters interact with his character, as she is driven to journey from Washington DC, across the entire country to meet her love at the La Brea Tar Pits. Even after she is bitten and converted to a zombie, she is still compelled to keep moving West. When she arrives at those tar pits, I will admit, I shed a few tears.

As was hinted at in Romero's movie "Dawn of the Dead" when the characters discuss why the zombies keep coming to the mall, and more specifically shown in "Day of the Dead" and "Land of the Dead," Romero's zombies are not the mindless eating machines one would originally think. They still maintain thoughts and higher desires, but in a more "hive" mind mentality.

George A. Romero will always have a special place in my heart, his movie "Night of the Living Dead" peeked what has become a life-long love affair with zombies. I can say without hesitation that the Romero Zombie is the reason I love zombie fiction in all it's guises. I had seen the movie "White Zombie" credited as the first zombie movie at about the same time I saw "Night of the Living Dead," and I can say that if this had been the only depiction of zombies, I'm quite confidant that they would never have become the juggernaut they are now. The world owes George A. Romero a debt of gratitude. This book is a fitting end to a brilliant man and career.

blackenedwhiplash's review against another edition

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adventurous dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

First half is fucking awesome, with fantastic worldbuilding and characters. Second half starts to slowly lag until the last bit, especially once the political campaign between the two potential community leaders comes up, really drags on and becomes a slog to get through. I ended up not liking either leader, we are obviously supposed to like Carl, but he’s way too pacifist for his own good, outlawing even harming zombies. In fact, one big thing I don't like in this book is how many characters come to the conclusion that they shouldn’t harm or kill the undead, even when it’s basically kill or be killed. I can understand having one or two characters believing in that, or one person convincing a cult of people, but all these characters come to this conclusion separately and just so happen to end up running into each other. Especially what Carl went through on the Naval boat and having decades of Navy experience, it really makes no sense to me why his views become what they are.

Greer and Muse (forgive me if I misspelled their names I listened to the audiobook) were characters I really liked at first but ended up being annoyed by them between Greer’s bad, juvenile attitude and Muse being pretty much a lazy ass who seems to think playing guitar is the most important job in an apocalypse. I know Greer is 18 at the beginning but even at that age most people start losing their rebellious attitude, that’s more 14 to 16 years old that teens act like Greer. And the fact she does not grow up past that mentality for 15 years is pathetic. She starts to redeem herself near the end but ends up acting stupidly again. Also she and Muse keep somehow getting separated from each other and then find each other again just to inexplicably separate again. Like how they walked around Slow Town together then next thing you know, Greer is looking for Muse again. I guess it’s because she goes back and forth between wanting to stick with him and wanting to go on her own. Apparently she can’t make decisions. I woulda left his ass behind a long time ago.

Chuck was the best character.

carnography's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I read this two years ago and still think about it daily.

unladylike's review against another edition

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5.0

This was fantastic writing from beginning to end. I'd say it's better than any Stephen King book I've read. So many fascinating and well-developed characters whom I could picture vividly. I wouldn't be surprised if some reviews complain that it's "too woke" or some shit along those lines. What it *is* is very inclusive, reflecting the real world and depicting the unequal power dynamics that exist, particularly in the U.S. and Canada.

lynnjones's review

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adventurous challenging dark sad tense medium-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? Yes

4.5

bookgerblin's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

Great start, hated the last 100 pages.

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