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printedadventures 's review for:
Rot & Ruin
by Jonathan Maberry
The more I read Rot & Ruin the more i liked it. During the first few chapters I was not impressed. . . at all. But upon further reading I ended up really like this book.
Rot & Ruin is a coming of age story. The book begins with Benny Imura, just turning 15 and having to find a job, otherwise his food rations get cut in half. He tries out and applies to jobs all over the fenced in town of Mountainside where he lives. But Benny comes up with nothing. His last choice would be to work with his brother, Tom, who is a Bounty Hunter. (Tom goes out into the Rot and Ruin and hunts zombies.) Benny, not having any other job prospects, reluctantly begins his training with Tom. So starts the emotional journey Benny goes through in order to learn what the "real" world and the people left in it, are like.
When I started reading this, I strongly disliked Benny. He was whiny, and I felt immature for 15 years old. But, seeing as this is a 'coming of age' story, I hoped that Benny would become a lot less inclined to whine and moan and hate his obviously bad ass older brother. Luckily, Benny's attitude changes quickly after a few chapters in.
I love Tom. His character was nearly perfect. He liked to 'go all Zen' as Benny puts it, with introspect that seemed older then his years. He teaches Benny about right and wrong, swordsmanship and a to give respect when it's deserved. I liked his patience with Benny, since he blamed Tom for their parents deaths, it took a lot of time (years!) for Benny to come around. . .
Nix was also an awesome character. She was fierce, tough and smart, as well as having a huge crush on Benny. They go through some awkward situations while trying to figure out what to do with themselves and their feelings for each other.
The plot was constantly moving. Once I felt like I had it figured out, and in what direction I thought it was going, it would change up and move somewhere completely different. At some points it was easy to know what was next,. But I liked the relationship building, Benny growing emotionally, and the world building of what California had become since 'First Night' happened.
Even though this is a book for YA, perhaps even older middle grade, there was still some gore and death. Which honestly surprised me. But you can't have a zombie novel with out some gory details, and at least someone dieing right? Right. So I was impressed by how tactful these parts were written, and how Maberry went through issues such as revenge, hatred and righting a wrong. It was handled splendidly.
The ending was as happy as one can expect for a post apocalyptic zombie story to be, and leaves plenty for a sequel with out there being a massive cliff hanger, which I am happy about.
I'm going to be reading the next one for sure.
Rot & Ruin is a coming of age story. The book begins with Benny Imura, just turning 15 and having to find a job, otherwise his food rations get cut in half. He tries out and applies to jobs all over the fenced in town of Mountainside where he lives. But Benny comes up with nothing. His last choice would be to work with his brother, Tom, who is a Bounty Hunter. (Tom goes out into the Rot and Ruin and hunts zombies.) Benny, not having any other job prospects, reluctantly begins his training with Tom. So starts the emotional journey Benny goes through in order to learn what the "real" world and the people left in it, are like.
When I started reading this, I strongly disliked Benny. He was whiny, and I felt immature for 15 years old. But, seeing as this is a 'coming of age' story, I hoped that Benny would become a lot less inclined to whine and moan and hate his obviously bad ass older brother. Luckily, Benny's attitude changes quickly after a few chapters in.
I love Tom. His character was nearly perfect. He liked to 'go all Zen' as Benny puts it, with introspect that seemed older then his years. He teaches Benny about right and wrong, swordsmanship and a to give respect when it's deserved. I liked his patience with Benny, since he blamed Tom for their parents deaths, it took a lot of time (years!) for Benny to come around. . .
Nix was also an awesome character. She was fierce, tough and smart, as well as having a huge crush on Benny. They go through some awkward situations while trying to figure out what to do with themselves and their feelings for each other.
The plot was constantly moving. Once I felt like I had it figured out, and in what direction I thought it was going, it would change up and move somewhere completely different. At some points it was easy to know what was next,
Spoiler
like leading a pack of zombies to a camp of evil doersEven though this is a book for YA, perhaps even older middle grade, there was still some gore and death. Which honestly surprised me. But you can't have a zombie novel with out some gory details, and at least someone dieing right? Right. So I was impressed by how tactful these parts were written, and how Maberry went through issues such as revenge, hatred and righting a wrong. It was handled splendidly.
The ending was as happy as one can expect for a post apocalyptic zombie story to be, and leaves plenty for a sequel with out there being a massive cliff hanger, which I am happy about.
I'm going to be reading the next one for sure.