January 1, 2012
Gr 8 Up-In Jonathan Maberry's sequel (2011) to "Rot & Ruin" (2010, both S & S), teens Benny, Nix, Lilah, and Chong set out on a quest to find the jet spotted at the conclusion of the first book. Benny's brother, Tom, a closure specialist, guides them out into the Rot & Ruin (the land populated by zombies east of Mountainside, their home in California), in search of that jet and, hopefully, civilization. But the zombies aren't the only-or the worst-things in the Rot & Ruin. Preacher Jack and White Bear are at the heart of a subculture of zombie pit fighting that has become a cruel entertainment. Maberry writes with an incredible visual style, multiple points of view, and greater character depth in this sequel to make for a more nuanced and expanded universe. Excerpts from Nix's journal are intercut with the narrative, giving listeners brief respites from the almost non-stop action. With his quick-paced style and unique setting, Maberry makes you care about the characters and their quest. A very open ending leaves plenty of room for a sequel. Brian Hutchison does a fine job of voicing the large cast of characters. In an ever-growing field of zombie books, teens will be drawn to this series-"Charli Osborne, Oxford Public Library, MI"
Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
October 1, 2011
Gr 8 Up-Benny Imura is back, and so are his friends, his brother, and lots of zombies. In the seven months since the teens and Benny's half brother, Tom, burned down Gameland and killed Charlie Pink-Eye, Benny, Nix, Lilah, and Chong have been training with Tom, learning samurai skills to help them survive. They plan to leave Mountainside, heading east through Yosemite to find the jet they sighted at the end of Rot & Ruin (S & S, 2010). But their plans are thwarted almost immediately, and once again they are fighting for their lives. Charlie Pink-Eye has been replaced by White Bear, a bounty hunter with grander plans and an axe to grind. A new, bigger Gameland has been opened, and White Bear is determined that the group of friends be the main attraction. It was the evolving relationship between Tom and Benny that gave the first book such emotional depth and complexity. That relationship is now stable and hence less interesting. However, this sequel is chock-full of gory action, complicated teen relationships, and several plot twists. Though the plot from the first book is recapped, readers should still begin with it (and look forward to a third installment).-Anthony C. Doyle, Livingston High School, CA
Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.