Tooth & Nail

Rot & Ruin #3.5

by Jonathan Maberry

What happened to Benny Imura and his friends after they reached Sanctuary—and discovered that it was far from the miracle they had thought it would be? Jonathan Maberry shares a glimpse into a formative moment in an exclusive e-short story that also features Joe Ledger (Patient Zero, Extinction Machine) and Iron Mike Sweeney (The Pine Deep Trilogy).

Genres: Zombies, Horror, Young Adult, Post Apocalyptic, Dystopia, Short Stories, Fiction

99 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 23, 2013

About the author

JONATHAN MABERRY is a NYTimes bestselling author, #1 Audible bestseller, 5-time Bram Stoker Award-winner, 4-time Scribe Award winner, Inkpot Award winner, comic book writer, and producer. He is the author of more than 50 novels, 190 short stories, 16 short story collections, 30 graphic novels, 14 nonfiction books, and has edited 26 anthologies. His vampire apocalypse book series, V-WARS, was a Netflix original series starring Ian Somerhalder. His 2009-10 run as writer on the Black Panther comic formed a large chunk of the recent blockbuster film, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. His bestselling YA zombie series, Rot & Ruin is in development for film at Alcon Entertainment; and John Wick director, Chad Stahelski, is developing Jonathan’s Joe Ledger Thrillers for TV. Jonathan writes in multiple genres including suspense, thriller, horror, science fiction, epic fantasy, and action; and he writes for adults, teens and middle grade. His works include The Pine Deep Trilogy, The Kagen the Damned Trilogy, NecroTek, Ink, Glimpse, the Rot & Ruin series, the Dead of Night series, The Wolfman, X-Files Origins: Devil’s Advocate, The Sleepers War (with Weston Ochse), Mars One, and many others. He is the editor of high-profile anthologies including Weird Tales: 100 Years of Weird, The X-Files, Aliens: Bug Hunt, Out of Tune, Don’t Turn out the Lights: A Tribute to Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, Baker Street Irregulars, Nights of the Living Dead, Shadows & Verse, and others. His comics include Marvel Zombies Return, The Punisher: Naked Kills, Wolverine: Ghosts, Godzilla vs Cthulhu: Death May Die, Bad Blood and many others. Jonathan has written in many popular licensed worlds, including Hellboy, True Blood, The Wolfman, John Carter of Mars, Sherlock Holmes, C.H.U.D., Diablo IV, Deadlands, World of Warcraft, Planet of the Apes, Aliens, Predator, Karl Kolchak, and many others. He the president of the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers, and the editor of Weird Tales Magazine. He lives in San Diego, California. Find him online at www.jonathanmaberry.com

Reviews

[Michael Parrish · Rating 5 out of 5]

More tales from the Rot and Ruin are never a bad thing, but the greatness of each of these side tales grows as the series nears a close. This story quickly brings the reader up to speed on what has happened in the past year with Benny Imura and the gang from Mountainside as they train with Captain Ledger in Area 51. That's right - JOE Ledger. But even more of the Maberry-verse comes into play as the tale is paid out when we see more of the reapers from the Night Church stalk a caravan of traders, the leader is none-other-than Iron Mike Sweeney from the Pine Deep Trilogy - Maberry's first foray into fiction novels. Iron Mike's intro into the world of Benny is handled deftly and his place and past history not shoe-horned in as when other authors have brought their past creations into their current fiction. I'll save the spoilers, but even knowing that Mr. Sweeney was in the story going in the appearance was so amazingly well paid off as I read it, I wanted to stop then and there and re-read it. Definite "Squee!" moments, folks. Just like all the shorts that Maberry seeds between his major tales, these are continuity movers that aren't required-reading for the folks that only buy the books to understand and get, as Maberry does a great jobs in the novels proper but the background detail they paint is not to be missed.

[Aaron Advani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant addition to the Rot & Ruin series, Jonathan Maberry just gets better and better

[✿ | thatgrl.kuoya | ❥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Iron Mike. Nuff Said!
LOVED THIS!

[Jenny - Book Sojourner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was just what I needed to tie me over until Fire and Ash comes out. We get more insight into not only Benny, but Mr. Crazy-Pants Saint John, and a whole lot more. And even though I have not read Maberry's other series, even I was excited to read about Joe Ledger and Iron Mike Sweeney. I love the way Maberry writes and look forward to more.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a great book:) I liked all the different points of vies also:) i can't wait for the next book to come out:))

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are short tales of Benny being a stubborn, whiny jerk towards Joe Ledger who is only trying to help the group. Five girls just trying to survive have a run in with reapers and zombies who actually survive and Saint John with his reapers and zombies heading toward the 9 towns after finding a map on one of their many victims.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whilst I enjoyed certain parts of this novella, particularly those centred around Saint John and his interaction with Mike Sweeney, I found the story overall subpar compared to Maberry's other work in the Rot and Ruin series. It was a nice tie-in between novels, but not essential reading.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

.

[Robson Gabriel · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this working through Bits & Pieces..Solid three-sided Rot & Ruin tale.

[Tom Britton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad of novela

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I missed this series so much, I can't believe I didn't know that there were short stories for this series other than the ones in Bits and Pieces. I loved this so much.

[Marla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool introduction to some new Rot and Ruin characters giant red-head, red-eyed Iron Mike Sweeny, the group of girls led by Samantha (Tiffany, Michelle, archers Heather & Laura), and learned more about Ranger Joe Ledger and his mastiff, Grimm, Saint John of the Knife and Brother Marty Kirk, the ex-Hollywood producer.

Benny's bad attitude and surly behavior is getting old. I hope he gets over this soon!

POV switches between Benny Imura, the girls and the Saviors hunting for Mountainside.

[Janice Bonczek · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novella in the Rot & Ruin series, taking place between the 3rd and 4th books. A little bit of backstory dealing with Benny at Sanctuary, and the reapers travelling to the nine towns. Also a small story dealing with a group of 6 girls who help a man named Iron Mike Sweeney, who might be...a werewolf?

[Heather Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

.something books kinda irritate me. But if it is a great series I usually look past it so I can get a little more of the story. The rot and ruin series is one of my favorites and I hate zombies. These books are just intriguing and well written. This one was no exception. It made me want to read some of the authors other books as well. A great series for teenage boys.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting addition to this series. And it seems like we might be seeing werewolves in the next book in addition to zombies. This novella definitely adds some new info while we wait for the last book in the series.

[Berting · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this short story! The reapers were still creepy. Wow, Fire and Ash here I come! :)

[Dr. Garcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it, but I felt like the exposition was not needed in this short story format. It seemed to take forever to get to the actual story. I did like how the author brought in characters from his other series so that you want to read them too.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Iove the short extra stories that authors are writing now. Ebooks have given us so much more to enjoy! This alludes to the idea that there are not only zombies lurking in the forest. Sweet!

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The suspense! Fire & Ash ... what twists will you bring?

Though ... this one ... I can't decide. Is it less hopeful or more?

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG the other short stories in this series were NOTHING compared to this....LOVED this and I cannot wait to read the final installment in this series

[Mat Soole · Rating 5 out of 5]

as per usual maberry doesn't let us down, perfect set up book for the big finale!

[Garry Yeich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Shady · Rating 3 out of 5]

I likd the story, but if the author is going in the direction I think he is, I'm not sure how I will like the final book in the series. I guess there is only one way to find out!

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best novella/ Short Story I've ever read. Maberry was able to tell a complete story but leave You wanting more in the next novel. Brilliant.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

As awesome as any other book in this series :D Iron Mike Sweeney, I am a fan!!!

[Cyndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

On to the conclusion. Somewhat bittersweet. Great tale sofar.

[Wendy Bocock · Rating 5 out of 5]

More Iron Mike Sweeney, please!

[Mia Michalek · Rating 5 out of 5]

great short story! It really gives the reader a great start for the final rot and ruin book!

[Lisa Puckett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series and these short stories. It didn't disappoint and if you love the Rot and Ruin you need to read this.