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A review by blackenedwhiplash
The Living Dead by George A. Romero, Daniel Kraus
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.
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.