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Devil's Wake #1
Devil's Wake
The first book of an exciting new paranormal series from two award-winning authors about what happens when an alien race brings Earth to the brink of the Apocalypse. The husband and wife writing team of Tananarive Due and Steven Barnes continue to achieve extraordinary literary feats with this first book in the exciting new Devil’s Wake series. Due’s The Living Blood and My Soul to Keep were each named to Publishers Weekly’s list of Best Novels of the Year, and both were nominated for the Bram Stoker award. Barnes scored New York Times’ bestsellers with The Legacy of Heorot and Star Wars: The Cestus Deception, and he has been nominated for both the Hugo and Cable Ace awards for his work in television.
The eeriness of Devil’s Wake begins a week after tomorrow. An unprecedented infection has swept across the world, bringing an epidemic of mindless biting attacks from the infected that leave their victims “changed.” Society has broken down.
The victims are more than mindless zombies. They are the result of a sinister alien life-form in the wake of the aliens’ insidious plot, humanity ultimately becomes enmeshed in a brutal struggle for control of its home, planet Earth.
Part Dawn of the Dead and part Road Warrior, Devil’s Wake is a testimony to courage, friendship, and the power of faith. Horrifying and heartbreaking, exciting and challenging, it is a compelling, brilliant story on the edge of what could be the end of it all.
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First published February 21, 2012
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About the author
Steven Barnes
130 books478 followersSteven Barnes (born March 1, 1952, Los Angeles, California) is an African American science fiction writer, lecturer, creative consultant, and human performance technician. He has written several episodes of The Outer Limits and Baywatch, as well as the Stargate SG-1 episode "Brief Candle" and the Andromeda episode "The Sum of its Parts". Barnes' first published piece of fiction, the novelette The Locusts (1979), written with Larry Niven, and was a Hugo Award nominee.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
August 12, 2022
This is a standard YA zompocalypse novel, but it's well executed. It has a nicely diverse cast of young people in the traditional quest for sanctuary, with the standard run-ins with zombies and humans-who-are-worse-than-the-monsters. The multiple points-of-view are nicely presented, and I liked the fact that the zombies start out as fast (and even sometimes talk) but slow as they age and eventually come to a stop; much more realistic than the perpetual zombies that always make me wonder how they're powered. The story stops without any conclusion, so I'll have to get the sequel. Nothing really new, but it's an entertaining read.
November 1, 2015
This year, the office where I work brought in someone to give people flu shots, making it easier for people to get them. Despite the fact that I declined the invite and didn’t fill out the paperwork, one of the admin at the office still called me to bully me into getting one. Peer pressure does not work on me for things I don’t want to do, so I didn’t get one. I’m opposed to them for a lot of reasons, one of which being my fear of needles, but that’s not the only reason, despite coworkers insistence that I need to stop being a ‘wussy.’ Thanks to Devil’s Wake, I have a new reason to dislike the flu shot: it could totally turn you into a zombie.
Read the full review at A Reader of Fictions.
Read the full review at A Reader of Fictions.
January 12, 2019
3.0 Stars
This was a very traditional take on classic the zombie story with all the usual tropes of the subgenre. At this point, I have read so many of undead books and was hoping for a fresher version of the narrative. Regardless, it was still an easy read with a fast paced plot so I ended up reading the entire novel in as single day. I look forward to reading some of Tananarive Due’s more popular books.
This was a very traditional take on classic the zombie story with all the usual tropes of the subgenre. At this point, I have read so many of undead books and was hoping for a fresher version of the narrative. Regardless, it was still an easy read with a fast paced plot so I ended up reading the entire novel in as single day. I look forward to reading some of Tananarive Due’s more popular books.
July 3, 2012
The novel Devil’s Wake is the first in the new Devil’s Wake series from husband and wife writing team Steven Barnes and Tananarive Due. In this novel they create a world of horror so frightening as to be almost unbelievable. Set in contemporary United States, the novel begins as residents of Seattle become aware of a strange epidemic that is sweeping the city, and ultimately the country and the entire planet.
As victims are bitten by other infected individuals, they in turn attack others in a “zombie-like” manner. But they are more than zombies. They are the products of an alien life-form with designs on control of the earth through their horrifying plot that pits humans against each other in a life and death struggle. No one is safe. People unhesitatingly kill those they once loved in order to survive.
The novel moves at a relentless pace that only increases as the horror the characters face builds, and they give up life as they have known it to only have a chance to live. The main characters, juvenile offenders spending time at a summer camp, must rely on their own initiative to survive, as well as learn to trust each other. They must cross what once was their country, evading human and non-human dangers, without losing their own sense of humanity.
The book is an assault on all the senses, and emphasizes a fear that barely be imagined, when everything we depend on for safety, from our closest family members and friends to all our modern technology, is taken away.
Do not read this book before you go to sleep at night, unless you have a very strong sense of reality. This story takes you to the edge and holds you there until the end.
As victims are bitten by other infected individuals, they in turn attack others in a “zombie-like” manner. But they are more than zombies. They are the products of an alien life-form with designs on control of the earth through their horrifying plot that pits humans against each other in a life and death struggle. No one is safe. People unhesitatingly kill those they once loved in order to survive.
The novel moves at a relentless pace that only increases as the horror the characters face builds, and they give up life as they have known it to only have a chance to live. The main characters, juvenile offenders spending time at a summer camp, must rely on their own initiative to survive, as well as learn to trust each other. They must cross what once was their country, evading human and non-human dangers, without losing their own sense of humanity.
The book is an assault on all the senses, and emphasizes a fear that barely be imagined, when everything we depend on for safety, from our closest family members and friends to all our modern technology, is taken away.
Do not read this book before you go to sleep at night, unless you have a very strong sense of reality. This story takes you to the edge and holds you there until the end.
May 24, 2021
I read this book on the strength of Tananarive’s reputation. I am not much of a zombie follower and therefore didn’t enjoy this book as much as I wanted to. I had high hopes for this collaboration. The story was interesting enough, but I found myself forcing myself to push through. Probably will not read the sequel.
September 13, 2015
Not a particularly satisfying story for me. The world is struck by a mystery 'plague' in some unexplained way related to a combination of African mushrooms and flu injections. The rest is largely running away from the zombie/werewolf/vampire results of the plague. After a long road trip in a battered old bus, with periodic fire fights, the group of youngsters ends up on a Pacific coast beach. At the end of the book I was left unsure of what had really happened or what the author saw as the future. This is a book I couldn't fit into any real genre though it had some elements of science fiction, horror and suspense. I cannot recommend this book and particularly suggest it should not be read in a hospital waiting room or on a bus journey by those of a suggestible nature.
November 22, 2012
Utter garbage, and cynical "eye on the royalties" garbage at that. The only value this novel has is as a primer on how to NEVER WRITE A BOOK.
Wooden, one-dimensional characters that make popsicle sticks look complex by comparison. A plot that is as tired and shambling as zombies themselves, and limp dialogue that is instantly forgotten.
Easily one of the worst things I've ever read. Finished it only to say I had - just like you would at the dentist or a particularly bland meal.
Wooden, one-dimensional characters that make popsicle sticks look complex by comparison. A plot that is as tired and shambling as zombies themselves, and limp dialogue that is instantly forgotten.
Easily one of the worst things I've ever read. Finished it only to say I had - just like you would at the dentist or a particularly bland meal.
July 18, 2021
I enjoyed this so much! I'm not a big fan of zombies, but I really connected with the characters and the story. Tananarive Due has a way of writing teenagers that is simply captivating. I would read anything with her name on it.
March 7, 2020
An interesting take on the zombie genre from horror/sci-fi power couple, Tananarive Due and Steven Barnes. It's maybe not the most unique zombie story out there, but it does have something closer to philosophical zombies than most and of course raises interesting questions about the ways in which humans depend on each other. It took a while, but the characters really grew on me, too. This is based on an earlier short story called "Danger Word."
Due and Barnes explain in their postscript that part of what they were trying to do here was to delve into the ways that human beings depend on one another. This may seem at odds with the hyper-survivalist ethos of most zombie tales, but notice that in most zombie stories the protagonists get by with a little help from their friends.
But how do you tell who your friends are? That's the catch, of course!
One of the scariest things about this novel is also one of the most philosophically interesting: even after they are infected (usually through a bite), zombies can still talk like their old selves for a while. Creepy!
Philosophical zombies, as popularized by philosopher David Chalmers, are a thought experiment meant to make a point about consciousness: if you could imagine creatures with all the same physiological processes as humans and who act and talk just like humans but without a sense of first-person phenomenal consciousness (or "what its like"), does this show that consciousness cannot be reduced to or fully explained by physical processes? Or as philosophers would put it, does the conceivability of this type of zombie mean that physicalism is false? (For more on philosophical zombies, see here: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/zo... )
The zombies in Devil's Wake aren't quite philosophical zombies in this sense. Eventually, they reveal their zombie qualities (first by biting people, later by creepily standing still). Let's say they're *almost* philosophical zombies. (For something much closer to full philosophical zombies in fiction, see Quantum Night by Robert J. Sawyer)
Philosophy (and philosophical zombies) can be plenty scary, but I think Due and Barnes have made something just as unnerving. While you might be interacting with philosophical zombies every day (and thats plenty unsettling to contemplate), at least they're not going to bite you and turn you into one of them!
(My slightly expanded blog review: https://examinedworlds.blogspot.com/2...)
Due and Barnes explain in their postscript that part of what they were trying to do here was to delve into the ways that human beings depend on one another. This may seem at odds with the hyper-survivalist ethos of most zombie tales, but notice that in most zombie stories the protagonists get by with a little help from their friends.
But how do you tell who your friends are? That's the catch, of course!
One of the scariest things about this novel is also one of the most philosophically interesting: even after they are infected (usually through a bite), zombies can still talk like their old selves for a while. Creepy!
Philosophical zombies, as popularized by philosopher David Chalmers, are a thought experiment meant to make a point about consciousness: if you could imagine creatures with all the same physiological processes as humans and who act and talk just like humans but without a sense of first-person phenomenal consciousness (or "what its like"), does this show that consciousness cannot be reduced to or fully explained by physical processes? Or as philosophers would put it, does the conceivability of this type of zombie mean that physicalism is false? (For more on philosophical zombies, see here: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/zo... )
The zombies in Devil's Wake aren't quite philosophical zombies in this sense. Eventually, they reveal their zombie qualities (first by biting people, later by creepily standing still). Let's say they're *almost* philosophical zombies. (For something much closer to full philosophical zombies in fiction, see Quantum Night by Robert J. Sawyer)
Philosophy (and philosophical zombies) can be plenty scary, but I think Due and Barnes have made something just as unnerving. While you might be interacting with philosophical zombies every day (and thats plenty unsettling to contemplate), at least they're not going to bite you and turn you into one of them!
(My slightly expanded blog review: https://examinedworlds.blogspot.com/2...)
November 1, 2025
Devil's Wake (Devil's Wake #1) by Steven Barnes and Tananarive Due is my least favorite from Due, and my first from Steven Barnes. It's a solid zombie story overall, but not a favorite or particularly memorable now that I've completed it. I doubt I'll be back for the next book in the series.
June 23, 2019
A unique take on vampires and am not going to spoil the story for those who would like to read this book. Read "Good House" by Tananarive Due, who co-wrote this book with Steven Barnes and loved the book. So I found this one and loved it also. Now am looking for the second book, Domino Falls, in this series.
January 2, 2026
I love a good, fun zombie read, especially ones that focus on the outbreak aspect & the survival component right when shit hits the fan, and Devil’s Wake is exactly that. I’ve been nervous to pick up Devil’s Wake for the longest time because the synopsis on the back mentions the characters finding love, and I did not want a love story. Surprisingly there’s next to no romance in the book, maybe it fleshes out more in the sequel? If apocalyptic/survival horror is your jam, Devil’s Wake is the book for you! It’s action-packed, has you on the edge of your seat, and just all around an entertaining read. Is it literary greatness? No, but I had a great times.
July 3, 2018
Each new take on zombies has to include something creepier and scarier than the last one!
July 14, 2017
Initially I read a short story that eventually became one of the story lines within this book. The short story that begins Kendra's journey was very interesting and had me excited for the extended novel. Unfortunately I found the rest of the book unbearably dull. The beginning 15 chapters of the book tries to marry the short story and the new story lines and characters but it never seems to reach cohesion leaving it feeling disjointed and slapdash. The characters are also boring and shallow. At points it impossible to even tell most of them apart, they just plod along from location to location with some action in between but nothing changes.
Again Kendra's short story with her grandfather was truly enjoyable and frightening. Where was that book because this book does more to allude to the real interesting things happening outside the narrative. When a character sets off alone they return haunted but we don't get to read that or we read about broadcasts and stories about other locations encountering zombies with some intact functions and reasoning but it always happens away from out plucky protagonists. I wanted to read about a group of kids surviving in a collapsing society it sounded interesting to see how those kids would develop and react to that environment both good and bad. Most of all I wanted to read a larger story from the short story that had me hooked but I never found that interest or excitement in the larger story.
Again Kendra's short story with her grandfather was truly enjoyable and frightening. Where was that book because this book does more to allude to the real interesting things happening outside the narrative. When a character sets off alone they return haunted but we don't get to read that or we read about broadcasts and stories about other locations encountering zombies with some intact functions and reasoning but it always happens away from out plucky protagonists. I wanted to read about a group of kids surviving in a collapsing society it sounded interesting to see how those kids would develop and react to that environment both good and bad. Most of all I wanted to read a larger story from the short story that had me hooked but I never found that interest or excitement in the larger story.
December 8, 2012
man this book burrowed under my skin. Creeped me out and drew me in. I couldn't believe how much I was enjoying it, how much I wanted to get back to it, how much I didn't want to put it down, and continued to think about it as I drove, ate, tried to go to sleep. I was really just expecting a ya (read light, inconsequential, romance driven) zombie novel. Well, it is a zombie novel. And it is about YAs. But I identified with each of these characters, worried about them, and was completely transported to the horrible world they lived in. The danger of these post-apocalyptic/dystopic novels is that I get too worked up by them because I start to obsess about how badly I am cut out for these scenarios. I would go down in the first wave of casualties, or else have great suffering among the survivors because I am ill equipped for a life of non-convenience. But there was enough hope mixed in with the bleakness that I could at least keep going through the novel, and even found myself wanting more when I got to the end.
July 15, 2017
The Devil's Wake is one of the better zombie stories I've read in a long time and a very underrated book. The story has good pacing and dives into the action pretty quickly and over all it didn't drag. The writing of both authors blends seemlessly, morphing into a singular voice even while being told from various points of view.
I love the fact that the characters are of varied ethnicities and POC and none of them are "token" stereotypes. Nor are they relegated to being briefly mentioned and then shoved to the background.
There were some scenes that didn't really make sense to me in the scope of the world and the story, but I was willing to overlook the minor stupid factor.
On a personal note: Super annoyed with the constant references to pit bulls and perpetuating the negative image they've been assigned. You sound ignorant. Enough.
The end leaves the story open for at least a sequel, let's see how that one goes.
I love the fact that the characters are of varied ethnicities and POC and none of them are "token" stereotypes. Nor are they relegated to being briefly mentioned and then shoved to the background.
There were some scenes that didn't really make sense to me in the scope of the world and the story, but I was willing to overlook the minor stupid factor.
On a personal note: Super annoyed with the constant references to pit bulls and perpetuating the negative image they've been assigned. You sound ignorant. Enough.
The end leaves the story open for at least a sequel, let's see how that one goes.
Read
January 10, 2015The Talking Dead
I am a massive fan of Steve Barnes and Tananarive Due collaborations and was so pleased that they moved into the horror genre with Devil's Wake. When working with another writer, sometimes you experience some rough patches as the voice and flow gets ironed out. That's why I rate this novel 4 stars versus 5 because the beginning of the book doesn't flow as well as the rest of it. By the end of the book, they are firing on all cylinders. I love their take on the genre and the way their Freaks operate. It's like a cross between world war Z and The Walking Dead with a very interesting added twist. I also dig that this is a young adult novel because it shows how the world hardens children before their time. Very enjoyable and highly recommended. I'm downloading part 2: Domino Falls right now!
I am a massive fan of Steve Barnes and Tananarive Due collaborations and was so pleased that they moved into the horror genre with Devil's Wake. When working with another writer, sometimes you experience some rough patches as the voice and flow gets ironed out. That's why I rate this novel 4 stars versus 5 because the beginning of the book doesn't flow as well as the rest of it. By the end of the book, they are firing on all cylinders. I love their take on the genre and the way their Freaks operate. It's like a cross between world war Z and The Walking Dead with a very interesting added twist. I also dig that this is a young adult novel because it shows how the world hardens children before their time. Very enjoyable and highly recommended. I'm downloading part 2: Domino Falls right now!
February 7, 2013
Get right into it why don’t we.
Breakfast.
A teenage girl and a group of delinquent Camp teenagers come across each other, and later are joined with a National Guard teenager to survive the freaks (there are different types; zombies or alien life forms) that are out to get them. Oh yeah, and Hipshot too!
It is a decent yet unexpected YA zombie apocalypse read. Although they haven’t reached Devil’s Wake, the question for me is will they ALL reach Domino Falls?
I appreciated the fact that the authors acknowledged the artists of “zombie apocalypse”.
Breakfast.
A teenage girl and a group of delinquent Camp teenagers come across each other, and later are joined with a National Guard teenager to survive the freaks (there are different types; zombies or alien life forms) that are out to get them. Oh yeah, and Hipshot too!
It is a decent yet unexpected YA zombie apocalypse read. Although they haven’t reached Devil’s Wake, the question for me is will they ALL reach Domino Falls?
I appreciated the fact that the authors acknowledged the artists of “zombie apocalypse”.
January 20, 2015
I found it entertaining, interesting characters, and a unique take on the zombie apocalypse
January 23, 2013
Bit of let down ending, beginning was interesting, but I was putting it down too much. Then I got to page 50 and it blew me away. So do guys read this one.
May 10, 2016
Good book. Very detailed. Least favorite part would probably be the ending. It was a little boring
October 15, 2017
I was really hard to get through this story at first. It's when all of the loss, all of the traumatic events happen. Given the situation in the Bay and all over the country right now, with the fires, the ashfall, the hurricanes, the Nazis out in force, the government trying so openly to harm its citizens... the apocalyptic,'the world as you know it is gone' feel of the book hit really, really close to home.
It was wonderful to discover that this book didn't follow the trend of all these other zombie books and movies out there which make it a point to kill off a member of the group seemingly every other day. Rather than using the post-apocalyptic environment to highlight the awfulness of the human condition, the authors chose to focus on the skills, values, and relationships that help the main characters get through it. It was extremely satisfying to read about them facing challenges together, because I trusted the narrative not to gamble unnecessarily with their pain and suffering. Their bonding and competence was beautiful.
I was also struck by the natural beauty that was so palpable throughout the book. There was definitely a sense that humanity hasn't necessarily improved upon the world much, and the contrast between the loss/grief/horror and the fact that the snow, the trees, the ocean lapping at the beach could still have such peace and beauty was incredibly effective.
Can't wait to read the sequel.
It was wonderful to discover that this book didn't follow the trend of all these other zombie books and movies out there which make it a point to kill off a member of the group seemingly every other day. Rather than using the post-apocalyptic environment to highlight the awfulness of the human condition, the authors chose to focus on the skills, values, and relationships that help the main characters get through it. It was extremely satisfying to read about them facing challenges together, because I trusted the narrative not to gamble unnecessarily with their pain and suffering. Their bonding and competence was beautiful.
I was also struck by the natural beauty that was so palpable throughout the book. There was definitely a sense that humanity hasn't necessarily improved upon the world much, and the contrast between the loss/grief/horror and the fact that the snow, the trees, the ocean lapping at the beach could still have such peace and beauty was incredibly effective.
Can't wait to read the sequel.
March 27, 2023
This being YA makes so much sense now that I’ve finished the book. When it was recommended to me I assumed it was Adult fiction, but the structure of the story proved to be more immature than I was expecting. I’m not saying that all YA books are generic and bad, but most of the time you can tell when a book is intended for a younger audience. Anyways, this is your usual zombie apocalypse story where a bunch of random survivors join forces and shit eventually hits the fan while they’re on the road. However, the zombies in this version are smarter which makes them scarier than the ones in The Walking Dead, but we didn’t get to explore their deadly abilities as much as I wanted to. While I had a little fun being in this fictional world, I just couldn’t fully immerse myself in the story. None of the character’s personalities stuck out to me as endearing, so I didn’t connect with any of the characters like I did in the first season of The Walking Dead. I was trying so hard not to compare every single scene to The Walking Dead, but I hold this show so close to my heart that it was difficult not to. Overall, I’m disappointed that the story and the characters weren’t as fleshed out as I hoped they’d be.
April 20, 2025
reading this after reading the 2nd book of the story made me like it even more, because I know Kendra, Terry, Ursulina, Piranha, Sonia, Dean and Darius already so learning how they all came together at the end of the world was so nice to read.
what a wildly different experience some of them had and still they ended up connected and depending on each other. what a signal of the strength of chosen family, despite all odds.
the world building of these two books is excellent, everything is described in such detail that I felt I could see the freaks and the hellish landscape left in their wake.
the way some books are exactly what you need to read like the way this book from 13 years ago is uplifting the importance of community and in 2025 where it feels like especially now regardless of borders, we cant let ourselves be divided as easy as it can feel, the collective is the way and we must support each other. not me preaching all of a sudden!
just yes itd been a while since I read about book quickly and this being the beach read I chose is just extra yesss. 🤘
what a wildly different experience some of them had and still they ended up connected and depending on each other. what a signal of the strength of chosen family, despite all odds.
the world building of these two books is excellent, everything is described in such detail that I felt I could see the freaks and the hellish landscape left in their wake.
the way some books are exactly what you need to read like the way this book from 13 years ago is uplifting the importance of community and in 2025 where it feels like especially now regardless of borders, we cant let ourselves be divided as easy as it can feel, the collective is the way and we must support each other. not me preaching all of a sudden!
just yes itd been a while since I read about book quickly and this being the beach read I chose is just extra yesss. 🤘
September 17, 2018
This book is odd. I definitely don't approve of the way that it ended. No closure, just stopped.
There is a pretty large group of kids that are supposed to be the main characters, but only two of them are really fleshed out. One of the characters that joins the main group later gets a large chunk of the book dedicated to her backstory alone. Also, she is the one who seems the most useless, I spent a lot of time hoping she'd get chomped.
The world the story is set in is interesting. The authors did a great job describing the rapid entropy as society fell apart. While I would like to read more about what happened to the world/society in this tale as time goes on, I don't think I can handle much more of the teenage protagonists.
P.S. Not only do they not make it to Devil's Wake, they don't even make a definitive decision about their final goal by the end of the book!
There is a pretty large group of kids that are supposed to be the main characters, but only two of them are really fleshed out. One of the characters that joins the main group later gets a large chunk of the book dedicated to her backstory alone. Also, she is the one who seems the most useless, I spent a lot of time hoping she'd get chomped.
The world the story is set in is interesting. The authors did a great job describing the rapid entropy as society fell apart. While I would like to read more about what happened to the world/society in this tale as time goes on, I don't think I can handle much more of the teenage protagonists.
P.S. Not only do they not make it to Devil's Wake, they don't even make a definitive decision about their final goal by the end of the book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2020
An enjoyable read and a great companion to dissertation writing. To get my eyes off the computer screen I had this to read. Took me somewhere else for sure. It has some genuinely scary moments and it's not just the zombies you have to look out for, as is so often the case. This story doesn't reinvent the genre and I'll admit I'm not always big on zombies but I love Tananarive Due's stories writing here Steven Barnes. The road trip works well and it's a young group of folk, on their way south from Washington State to get to a refuge. I've already got the sequel here and I'm looking forward to finding out more about this.
October 4, 2024
3.5 or slightly more. It's not a four but it is more than a 3.
Barnes and Due present a solidly good YA zombie tale where the dog does not die, and the majority of the cast is people of color as opposed to the majority being white men. The girls why at times appearing to be weaker in the eyes of the males around them, are not in fact weak. Barnes and Due said they wanted to focus on the theme of love, and they do. Kendra's back story, in particular the section concerning what happens to her mother, is beautifully done.
The plot is somewhat predictable but the writing is good enough that you don't really care. The characters work. It was solid good read.
Barnes and Due present a solidly good YA zombie tale where the dog does not die, and the majority of the cast is people of color as opposed to the majority being white men. The girls why at times appearing to be weaker in the eyes of the males around them, are not in fact weak. Barnes and Due said they wanted to focus on the theme of love, and they do. Kendra's back story, in particular the section concerning what happens to her mother, is beautifully done.
The plot is somewhat predictable but the writing is good enough that you don't really care. The characters work. It was solid good read.
February 25, 2018
Flu is the big news this winter around here. Every evening on the national news there is a “flu report” listing the latest fatalities and encouraging people to get their flu shot. So when I saw the plot line of this book I couldn’t resist.
The book is interesting and it moves along quite nicely following a group of teen survivors of a flu pandemic that has caused the afflicted to become zombie like. I’ve read enough of these type of books that I didn’t get that “what will happen next” sensation but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
The book is interesting and it moves along quite nicely following a group of teen survivors of a flu pandemic that has caused the afflicted to become zombie like. I’ve read enough of these type of books that I didn’t get that “what will happen next” sensation but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
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February 4, 2023Thoughtful, musing young adult zombie novel from the heyday of zombie fiction. Starts out slow, documenting the outbreaks in Seattle, and from there ranges south down into Northern California. By the end, the pace is breakneck. Like The Last of Us or The Girl with All the Gifts, these zombies are fungal. Like The Last of Us, they're also technically alive. Important, and terrifying detail: in the early stages of infection, these zombies can talk, and will basically say anything to get their teeth into you.
July 2, 2025
I think I've now read my fill of zombies books, but this one actually was more about the characters than fighting off or describing the undead hoard. Read another non-Star Wars book written by a SW author (and as new authors write in that galaxy far, far away, this just adds to that list). I liked the geographic details and current (for its publication date) and older references and allusions throughout.
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