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Dead Things
Nearly two decades have passed since the fall of the United States. And the rise of the church to fill the void. Nearly 20 years since Ian Sumner lost his father. And the dead took to the streets to dine on the living. Now Ian and a lost band of survivors are trapped in the wilderness, miles from safety. Pursued by madmen and monsters, they unravel the secrets of the plague...and walk the line of heresy. Ian and this troop need to do more than just survive. More than ever, they must learn to live.
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First published July 25, 2011
18 people are currently reading
1630 people want to read
About the author
Matt Darst
6 books43 followersMatt Darst got hooked on books early. He read recreationally at first, but soon began hitting the hard stuff after discovering a dog-eared copy of "Salem's Lot."
By twelve, Matt’s addiction to the written word took a turn for the worse. He started writing…for fun. His experimentation with notebooks (a classic gateway) led to dabbling with typewriters.
Matt went cold turkey in law school. He decided to straighten out his life. He got a job, a house, and a dog. His normal life was good. Still…
Pen and pad call to Matt late at night, cooing his name, telling him to take one last hit of fiction. Sometimes, when Matt’s weak, he heeds the siren call of the drug. He wakes from each blackout amid reams of freshly written pages, pages that have seemingly written themselves. Somehow, they coalesced into a book.
"Dead Things" is Matt’s first novel.
By twelve, Matt’s addiction to the written word took a turn for the worse. He started writing…for fun. His experimentation with notebooks (a classic gateway) led to dabbling with typewriters.
Matt went cold turkey in law school. He decided to straighten out his life. He got a job, a house, and a dog. His normal life was good. Still…
Pen and pad call to Matt late at night, cooing his name, telling him to take one last hit of fiction. Sometimes, when Matt’s weak, he heeds the siren call of the drug. He wakes from each blackout amid reams of freshly written pages, pages that have seemingly written themselves. Somehow, they coalesced into a book.
"Dead Things" is Matt’s first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
April 14, 2012
This is a thinking man's zombie tale. I loved it. Finally someone has put art back into horror.
November 23, 2011
I was totally blown away by this novel.
The writing style is exciting, quirky, intelligent, humorous and completely engrossing.
I was immediatley grabbed from the first page and couldn't stop reading until the very end.
Matthew Darst weaves a tale set in an apocalyptic world that keeps the reader interested and constantly wanting more with a style that is rarely found in this genre. The story itself is brilliant, a true zombie novel that fits well into the genre. The difference between this and many other "zombie" stories is the intelligence and humour that are dashed throughout the pages. His writing style made me think of a mix between Terry Pratchett (for his use of words) and Kevin Smith (for his use of nerdy knowledge and comedy).
I would not only recommend this book to fans of the genre, I would demand that they read it.
I shall be looking out for more from this author.
The writing style is exciting, quirky, intelligent, humorous and completely engrossing.
I was immediatley grabbed from the first page and couldn't stop reading until the very end.
Matthew Darst weaves a tale set in an apocalyptic world that keeps the reader interested and constantly wanting more with a style that is rarely found in this genre. The story itself is brilliant, a true zombie novel that fits well into the genre. The difference between this and many other "zombie" stories is the intelligence and humour that are dashed throughout the pages. His writing style made me think of a mix between Terry Pratchett (for his use of words) and Kevin Smith (for his use of nerdy knowledge and comedy).
I would not only recommend this book to fans of the genre, I would demand that they read it.
I shall be looking out for more from this author.
November 15, 2011
A superbly written story. It's one of the rare character driven zombie stories you'll find where the zombies actually take a back seat. Emotionally satisfying and hard to put down.
December 15, 2011
This first novel by writer Matt Darst ranks highly in my top ten list of 2011. I won’t go into too much detail suffice to say you ought to go out and buy this right now !!!
This beautifully crafted novel will appeal to the nerds (or should I say intelligent? in all of us), with his careful use of social commentary and character dialogue, Darst has strayed into areas that most novels just ignore, and leave us more “astute” readers thinking “why and how” ?, Darst answers these questions. Dead Things has clearly been researched in great depth and it is refreshingly original to read a novel that the author has clearly spent so much time crafting.
The post apocalypse world Darst has created is entirely new in this genre and about time too, I was growing bored of endless testosterone fuelled shoot outs involving flat characters with unbelievable personality traits. Darst has crafted his characters both male and female with an attention to detail and believability I have only ever read in Dickens and King.
The only fault I can see is that he needs to write a prequel or two, the world he has crafted post apocalypse is so refreshingly “new” to this genre; that it would be fitting that us readers get to the read the journey that led to it, further, his characters are so extraordinary that this novel was not enough time to really get to know them.
If you are looking for an intellectual read, challenging but never dull containing horror, drama, and social commentary, then this is the book for you. Darst as a first time writer has raised the standard within the genre; and I look forward to reading more of his work.
This beautifully crafted novel will appeal to the nerds (or should I say intelligent? in all of us), with his careful use of social commentary and character dialogue, Darst has strayed into areas that most novels just ignore, and leave us more “astute” readers thinking “why and how” ?, Darst answers these questions. Dead Things has clearly been researched in great depth and it is refreshingly original to read a novel that the author has clearly spent so much time crafting.
The post apocalypse world Darst has created is entirely new in this genre and about time too, I was growing bored of endless testosterone fuelled shoot outs involving flat characters with unbelievable personality traits. Darst has crafted his characters both male and female with an attention to detail and believability I have only ever read in Dickens and King.
The only fault I can see is that he needs to write a prequel or two, the world he has crafted post apocalypse is so refreshingly “new” to this genre; that it would be fitting that us readers get to the read the journey that led to it, further, his characters are so extraordinary that this novel was not enough time to really get to know them.
If you are looking for an intellectual read, challenging but never dull containing horror, drama, and social commentary, then this is the book for you. Darst as a first time writer has raised the standard within the genre; and I look forward to reading more of his work.
April 22, 2012
I really enjoyed Dead Things, the narrative for one really stood out. It was different than most books I've read, and a good change for me, as i usually enjoy past tense books more. But it wasn't even the present tense that i enjoyed as it was the way in which the author wrote--his style. A lot of telling, instead of showing, but it really worked, which for most authors it doesn't.
It's clear the author loves certain topics and educating the reader, hence the long sections of off-the-main-story segments, like the Star Wars/Dune discussion. Enthusiasts will love it. The author did a TON and i mean a TON (unless he already new it all) of research for this book. There is no doubt you will learn something from this story, whether it's about a movie or a disease or how something works. Speaking of the story, it is a good one; I liked the subtle humor and the action, which was less than most zombie books.
Dead Things is totally worth a read whether you are a zombie fan, an apocalyptic fan, or just want a good old adventure story with interesting characters.
It's clear the author loves certain topics and educating the reader, hence the long sections of off-the-main-story segments, like the Star Wars/Dune discussion. Enthusiasts will love it. The author did a TON and i mean a TON (unless he already new it all) of research for this book. There is no doubt you will learn something from this story, whether it's about a movie or a disease or how something works. Speaking of the story, it is a good one; I liked the subtle humor and the action, which was less than most zombie books.
Dead Things is totally worth a read whether you are a zombie fan, an apocalyptic fan, or just want a good old adventure story with interesting characters.
April 11, 2012
So what did I like? The gradual reveal was done great. No big info dump of the backstory, but little pieces here and there, where it made sense. Sure there were some flashbacks, but still they felt "right."
This is and isn't your standard zombie book. It is in that the expected stuff happens; the zombies are zombies, etc. What's different is the story of the society and “government” that survives and how it relates to the main characters.
If you’re a zombie book reader, read this…
This is and isn't your standard zombie book. It is in that the expected stuff happens; the zombies are zombies, etc. What's different is the story of the society and “government” that survives and how it relates to the main characters.
If you’re a zombie book reader, read this…
August 5, 2012
I'll start by admitting that I'm not a zombie fan: It's a genre that's really overstayed it's welcome. However, I'm always up for a decent story, well written characters, and the possibility of a new twist on a tired motif. Sadly, this book had none of those things.
The biggest issue I had with this book is that the author suffers from "Brownian Crichtonitis": devoting huge swaths of the book to long-winded exposition, soap-boxing, or "look at this cool theory I thought up!", which MAY touch briefly on the plot, but more often than not yanks the reader out of the urgency of the situation. The segment comparing "Star Wars" to "Dune" was, by far, the worst offense.
The characters didn't stand out in the least. I only remember their names because I just finished the book yesterday. There were practically no development in any of them, and what little there might have been seemed so sudden due to a lack of relevant back-story for anyone. Again, had the author cut down on the incongruous monologue/dialog fluff, there might have been room to make me care about the characters.
I get that this is a "zombie book", and it seems all zombie stories aren't about the living, but about the dead. The living are the minor players and are used to showcase how foul the zombies are. I gave this book two stars because when the zombies entered the picture, they really did shine. Most zombie theory is squarely in the science category, and this is no exception. It would have bolstered the story to get more into that aspect, but the author painted himself into a corner with the other, more frightening focus of the book, which was the rule of the Church.
After the collapse of American society, the Church became the authority, banning scientific study and returning the country to the era of witch burning. Zombies are bad enough, but having to deal with what must be a biological epidemic and not being able to tackle it biologically meant that the author COULD NOT offer a satisfactory resolution, and the characters are basically screwed.
The ending...well, I wasn't even aware that the ending was near. It pretty much drew to a screeching halt, with what little plot traffic there was piling up in a heap on the last few pages. It sounds like there might be room for a sequel or two. I hope that if the author decides to tackle this opportunity that he spends more time on the characters, and less in using them as mouthpieces for unrelated exposition.
The biggest issue I had with this book is that the author suffers from "Brownian Crichtonitis": devoting huge swaths of the book to long-winded exposition, soap-boxing, or "look at this cool theory I thought up!", which MAY touch briefly on the plot, but more often than not yanks the reader out of the urgency of the situation. The segment comparing "Star Wars" to "Dune" was, by far, the worst offense.
The characters didn't stand out in the least. I only remember their names because I just finished the book yesterday. There were practically no development in any of them, and what little there might have been seemed so sudden due to a lack of relevant back-story for anyone. Again, had the author cut down on the incongruous monologue/dialog fluff, there might have been room to make me care about the characters.
I get that this is a "zombie book", and it seems all zombie stories aren't about the living, but about the dead. The living are the minor players and are used to showcase how foul the zombies are. I gave this book two stars because when the zombies entered the picture, they really did shine. Most zombie theory is squarely in the science category, and this is no exception. It would have bolstered the story to get more into that aspect, but the author painted himself into a corner with the other, more frightening focus of the book, which was the rule of the Church.
After the collapse of American society, the Church became the authority, banning scientific study and returning the country to the era of witch burning. Zombies are bad enough, but having to deal with what must be a biological epidemic and not being able to tackle it biologically meant that the author COULD NOT offer a satisfactory resolution, and the characters are basically screwed.
The ending...well, I wasn't even aware that the ending was near. It pretty much drew to a screeching halt, with what little plot traffic there was piling up in a heap on the last few pages. It sounds like there might be room for a sequel or two. I hope that if the author decides to tackle this opportunity that he spends more time on the characters, and less in using them as mouthpieces for unrelated exposition.
January 4, 2012
When I first started to read this book I was a bit lost as the POV is an omnipresent one. We know what everyone is thinking. Usually this works against a story, but NOT in this case.
The story is very much character and plot driven. This is not your typical zombie apocalypse. It has come and gone, and what this writer does is weave a world pieced together by bits of the aftermath. What he imagines is something that is scarily possible, though I will not spoil it for you as to what happens.
The main character is likable in his naivety and loyalty to those around him. His best friend is someone you at first dislike because of his know it all stance on things, then again we all know that person.
The strongest point of this book was the massive amount of research that was done. There were parts so interesting I did not know if I should take notes or go and learn more. From blood types, to mythology, to Star Wars V. Dune, there is something in here for everyone. The one part about comets did seem to slow that section down a tad but took only a few paragraphs to pick right back up.
The ending was bittersweet, albeit inevitable and I would have liked to know more about the father and what he did all those years.
All in all a creative read for those who like stories that are character driven with new takes on an old theme.
This is not a gory hack and slash zombie story, so if that is what you are looking for, this might not be for you.
However, if you are looking for something intelligent, realistic, and incredibly well thought out with a unique story - this is for you.
The story is very much character and plot driven. This is not your typical zombie apocalypse. It has come and gone, and what this writer does is weave a world pieced together by bits of the aftermath. What he imagines is something that is scarily possible, though I will not spoil it for you as to what happens.
The main character is likable in his naivety and loyalty to those around him. His best friend is someone you at first dislike because of his know it all stance on things, then again we all know that person.
The strongest point of this book was the massive amount of research that was done. There were parts so interesting I did not know if I should take notes or go and learn more. From blood types, to mythology, to Star Wars V. Dune, there is something in here for everyone. The one part about comets did seem to slow that section down a tad but took only a few paragraphs to pick right back up.
The ending was bittersweet, albeit inevitable and I would have liked to know more about the father and what he did all those years.
All in all a creative read for those who like stories that are character driven with new takes on an old theme.
This is not a gory hack and slash zombie story, so if that is what you are looking for, this might not be for you.
However, if you are looking for something intelligent, realistic, and incredibly well thought out with a unique story - this is for you.
July 20, 2012
I won this book in a Goodreads Firstreads giveaway.
I give this book 4 thumbs up (my two and two from the zombie sneaking up behind me)! What an excellend debut novel.
Matt Darst takes the reader into an alternate future, 20 years post-zombie infection. The tale is told from a narrator who sees all and knows all (including the thoughts & feelings of the characters). I think this provides the reader the best viewpoint of everything going on. The story is about a group traveling via plane from one church-stronghold survivor city to another. But alas, the plane crashes in the middle of unchartered dead-mans land. And it follows those who survive on their trek homeward. There are several sub-stories that involve both the backstories of the characters, and side-stories of people in their lives. I think this only helps enhance the readers view of life in this time. The twists and turns, realizations and discoveries as to the true nature of the epidemic leave me wishing the book was longer.
The author obviously did a lot of research to be able to explain some concepts in the detail he does. It is also obvious that he has a "geek-streak" as he references many movies, books and Star Wars multiple-times. The references to current pop culture in a book can't help but make me wonder if I should be a little more prepared for a zombie apocalypse than I am.
I really look forward to future writings of Mr. Darst! He can tell one heck of a story.
I give this book 4 thumbs up (my two and two from the zombie sneaking up behind me)! What an excellend debut novel.
Matt Darst takes the reader into an alternate future, 20 years post-zombie infection. The tale is told from a narrator who sees all and knows all (including the thoughts & feelings of the characters). I think this provides the reader the best viewpoint of everything going on. The story is about a group traveling via plane from one church-stronghold survivor city to another. But alas, the plane crashes in the middle of unchartered dead-mans land. And it follows those who survive on their trek homeward. There are several sub-stories that involve both the backstories of the characters, and side-stories of people in their lives. I think this only helps enhance the readers view of life in this time. The twists and turns, realizations and discoveries as to the true nature of the epidemic leave me wishing the book was longer.
The author obviously did a lot of research to be able to explain some concepts in the detail he does. It is also obvious that he has a "geek-streak" as he references many movies, books and Star Wars multiple-times. The references to current pop culture in a book can't help but make me wonder if I should be a little more prepared for a zombie apocalypse than I am.
I really look forward to future writings of Mr. Darst! He can tell one heck of a story.
April 16, 2012
This is my first exposure to zombie lit, and I absolutely enjoyed it. Dead Things tells the tale of a society years after a zombie epidemic. Most of the U.S. has been overrun by the undead, but large pockets of survivors remain. The political debates of today have been settled (at least publicly) because the government has been replaced by religious institutions. That background allows themes (like church vs. science) to play out. Things heat up when a small plane traveling from Kentucky to a remote colony in Texas goes down in a zombie infested zone. A few escape, facing monsters, mad men, and inner demons as they make their way home.
I think the characters were probably the strongest part of the book. They are a pretty believable collection of individuals, and I thought the author did a good job developing the female characters particularly. On the whole, the pacing worked. The book was obviously well-researched, but there is a scene or two that may have been a little weighed down by all of the science. I would highly recommend this book to budding zombie fans, people who like science, fanboys, and even older young adults.
I think the characters were probably the strongest part of the book. They are a pretty believable collection of individuals, and I thought the author did a good job developing the female characters particularly. On the whole, the pacing worked. The book was obviously well-researched, but there is a scene or two that may have been a little weighed down by all of the science. I would highly recommend this book to budding zombie fans, people who like science, fanboys, and even older young adults.
May 2, 2012
I have to agree with the reader comments concerning the author's irrelevant, rambling dialog inserted during inappropriate moments in the novel. There could have been so much more done with the tension of these moments. I also felt the character should have been fleshed out a bit more. I feel I barely 'know' them and I'm 75% through this book already. Not one of them has engaged my full interest.
I really feel that long rants on various subjects and lists of quoted reference material were great for filling space. Matt needs to stick to the story and perhaps get an editor who can keep help keep the story in focus rather the writer's tirades and mind-wanderings. They may have had a place in the novel if they were heavily edited.
Other than that, the story and the precepts have their moments and this could have been a wonderful book with a little more care before publishing.
I really feel that long rants on various subjects and lists of quoted reference material were great for filling space. Matt needs to stick to the story and perhaps get an editor who can keep help keep the story in focus rather the writer's tirades and mind-wanderings. They may have had a place in the novel if they were heavily edited.
Other than that, the story and the precepts have their moments and this could have been a wonderful book with a little more care before publishing.
April 10, 2012
Read this book if you want to read about the scientific way why a zombie apocalypse might occur. Or if you want to read about the difference/similarities between Star Wars and Dune. Or if you want to read about endless cross-references to vampire outbreaks vs. meteor crashes.
Don't read this book if your looking for a nice, exciting, adventurous book about a zombie world because you will be distracted from the story by all this useless nonsense. The story could be SO good if the author just stayed with the plot. Two stars. (It would have been one star but I did really like the ending)
Don't read this book if your looking for a nice, exciting, adventurous book about a zombie world because you will be distracted from the story by all this useless nonsense. The story could be SO good if the author just stayed with the plot. Two stars. (It would have been one star but I did really like the ending)
August 24, 2017
READ THIS BOOK! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
The author sent me the book as a prize in a drawing. I consider myself incredibly lucky in that regard. I just finished the book and it is, without a doubt, fantastic. I don't know which creeps me out more - the zombie stuff or the church-run country. The novel is almost TOO true to life. I hope there is a sequel, because I love not only the world building, but the characters, the reality, the blending of current events with an all-too-plausible future, and add zombies. One of the reviews on the back of the book said it was Zombieland plus Clerks plus Crichton. Yes, and being a lover of all three, hooray! The writing style is unique, and the story is told from several characters' points of view in turn. The skipping about between POV's was tricky at first, but I was able to quickly get the hang of it. I enjoyed the backstories as much as the current action. The character interactions were realistic, well executed, and moved the story along nicely. Throwing in random character arguments about Star Wars vs Dune was a great touch, especially since I have been a part of similar discussions at seemingly inappropriate times. It added to the truth of the characters. The superbly researched sciency-stuff in relation to the origin and nature of the zombification, as well as about the different kinds of zombies, was translated perfectly into layman's terms without talking down to the reader, and was all too realistic. I think this may be one of the funniest, and scariest, books of it's genre I have read. Highly recommended. Well done, sir. ~Holly C in KC ~
The author sent me the book as a prize in a drawing. I consider myself incredibly lucky in that regard. I just finished the book and it is, without a doubt, fantastic. I don't know which creeps me out more - the zombie stuff or the church-run country. The novel is almost TOO true to life. I hope there is a sequel, because I love not only the world building, but the characters, the reality, the blending of current events with an all-too-plausible future, and add zombies. One of the reviews on the back of the book said it was Zombieland plus Clerks plus Crichton. Yes, and being a lover of all three, hooray! The writing style is unique, and the story is told from several characters' points of view in turn. The skipping about between POV's was tricky at first, but I was able to quickly get the hang of it. I enjoyed the backstories as much as the current action. The character interactions were realistic, well executed, and moved the story along nicely. Throwing in random character arguments about Star Wars vs Dune was a great touch, especially since I have been a part of similar discussions at seemingly inappropriate times. It added to the truth of the characters. The superbly researched sciency-stuff in relation to the origin and nature of the zombification, as well as about the different kinds of zombies, was translated perfectly into layman's terms without talking down to the reader, and was all too realistic. I think this may be one of the funniest, and scariest, books of it's genre I have read. Highly recommended. Well done, sir. ~Holly C in KC ~
August 22, 2012
Loved this book! It's a totally unique take on the done-to-death zombie genre, and Darst did his research very, very well. I know that others have commented on his "lists", and I have to say that they didn't bother me a bit, although it would have been nice to read them in conversation form. Other than that, the story was amazing, and again, I loved that I couldn't figure out where he was going with his zombie theory until close to the end of the book. Zombie fans who are sick of the same old thing should read this one!
(Note - I did write to Darst telling him how I loved the book, and he very kindly sent me a copy! So, not only is he a great writer, he's a very nice guy.)
(Note - I did write to Darst telling him how I loved the book, and he very kindly sent me a copy! So, not only is he a great writer, he's a very nice guy.)
August 10, 2012
I'm impressed yet again with another "zombie" book. I have been fortunate enough to select books in this genre that keep the subject interesting. I liked that this book didn't really center around zombies, but more on the people who are surviving the outbreak and the type of civilization they live in. I really enjoyed the role the "church" takes on in this story. I wish the author went a little further in this area because I truly believe that the religious aspect is even scarier than the zombie aspect.
I also enjoyed the bits of humor throughout the book. Just enough to lighten things up a bit.
Please note that I received this book free from the Goodreads Giveaways promotion.
I also enjoyed the bits of humor throughout the book. Just enough to lighten things up a bit.
Please note that I received this book free from the Goodreads Giveaways promotion.
April 13, 2012
Interesting premise but the author tends to go off on a tangent on seemingly unrelated topics (Dune Vs Star Wars, George Bush, etc) The jumping back and forth between the past and present is a bit jarring as well as it tends to happen in the middle of something else going on in the present. I think a more thorough editor could have really brought out a gem here as the thought of religion gaining a foothold in the world thanks to a zombie apocalypse is a very unique idea for the genre.
June 16, 2012
I have one word to say about this book, extraordinary! I've really been on this post apocolyptic kick since reading The Hunger Games, so when I won Dead Things by Matt Darst (I didn't even know until it arrived in the mail, haha) I was thrilled. I grew up on horror and zombie movies, and this is just completely my type of plot. Even still, I was surprised by the stories' contents. This isn't your typical zombie story, and it'll keep you up at night slightly creeped out and deep in thought!
June 12, 2012
I won this book on Goodreads.
I love Zombies, so I have read many stories about them. This book stands out because the focus is the characters rather than the usual story of here are some people and they get eaten by zombies. I enjoyed the subtle humor and the detailed discussions (like the Star Wars vs. Dune for example). I enjoyed them because I can relate to them as well. I wish it would have been longer, maybe a second book would be great.
I love Zombies, so I have read many stories about them. This book stands out because the focus is the characters rather than the usual story of here are some people and they get eaten by zombies. I enjoyed the subtle humor and the detailed discussions (like the Star Wars vs. Dune for example). I enjoyed them because I can relate to them as well. I wish it would have been longer, maybe a second book would be great.
September 7, 2012
I love zombie novels but I'd gotten bored with them lately, most of the latest offerings being mediocre formulaic attempts to cash in on the coming Zombocalypse. Was I glad I made an exception for this one! Darst tackles the genre from a pseudo-scientific angle, and almost seemed to be channeling Crichton in some passages. My only complaint is that the novel was a bit short and left me wanting more. Oh, one other complaint - there are no more Darst novels out there for me to devour!
July 23, 2014
Story set in a post-zombie apocalypse theocracy and the characters get trapped outside of the safe area. It was a good premise but the story is disjointed. It skips over a lot of stuff and tries to do too much in too few pages. In order to live up to its potential it should have been much longer to explore all the themes it touched on.
April 11, 2012
I started off impressed by this, but it gradually turned into a book I was just desperate to get to the end of. It drug on and on, with weird political & religious undertones that would surface in a very preachy way.
February 25, 2013
Got this free. Quick, pretty entertaining read. My biggest takeaway was that zombies are really vampires-- ugly, dumb vampires. That, and if there is actually a zombie apocalypse we better hope our gun rights are in tact because you need loads of guns to kill them.
April 14, 2012
It's good, and I really enjoyed this read. However, the constant back and forth of the point of view--changing constantly. I like how it all came together, but felt like the end was a bit rushed.
September 11, 2024
Premise: 18 years after the apoc a plane goes down. The survivors need to make it in the zombie-infested wild.
Pros:
1. Great cover design
2. Decent post-apoc story
Cons:
1. Not the best writing, could have done with another edit or two.
a. I've never heard an author call their protagonists "the protagonists" in their novel before. That was so bizarre. "The protagonists ran to the gate." Dunno if this was an intentional break of the 4th wall.
b. Then the random points of view. You'd think ok we're third person limited, then you'd suddenly switch into another person's head.
c. Then the excessive ... stuff. IE Van's rant about Dune vs Star Wars. Fine if that's the character's pov, but maybe just list 4 things and then fade out? Nope. Here we hear the ENTIRE geek list. I wish like Anna (Anne) I could just have gone to sleep. The excessive vampire lore. Then the excessive star stuff. None of it essential to the story or characters. Name 4 and move on for heaven's sake!
2. Some bits that would have been awesome to hear about were just skimmed over.
If all of the above was trimmed down, this would have been a really good book. This author has lots of potential, I do hope there will be more severe editing in future.
Pros:
1. Great cover design
2. Decent post-apoc story
Cons:
1. Not the best writing, could have done with another edit or two.
a. I've never heard an author call their protagonists "the protagonists" in their novel before. That was so bizarre. "The protagonists ran to the gate." Dunno if this was an intentional break of the 4th wall.
b. Then the random points of view. You'd think ok we're third person limited, then you'd suddenly switch into another person's head.
c. Then the excessive ... stuff. IE Van's rant about Dune vs Star Wars. Fine if that's the character's pov, but maybe just list 4 things and then fade out? Nope. Here we hear the ENTIRE geek list. I wish like Anna (Anne) I could just have gone to sleep. The excessive vampire lore. Then the excessive star stuff. None of it essential to the story or characters. Name 4 and move on for heaven's sake!
2. Some bits that would have been awesome to hear about were just skimmed over.
If all of the above was trimmed down, this would have been a really good book. This author has lots of potential, I do hope there will be more severe editing in future.
August 8, 2019
I love to read anything zombie... however, this one was tough. It has some great moments of true zombie goodness! A plane goes down in a zombie infested wasteland?! Yes! Bring it! However, the characters were hard to love, the story has gaps that caused me to stumble through, and I grew tired of all of the Star Wars vs Dune references. (And I’m a die hard Star Wars fan.). I found myself skipping vast pages to avoid the drivel filled dialogue! Sorry zombie fans but this is one to skip.
Read
January 10, 2018Could have been a good twist on the typical zombie novel. Great ending but it took a lot of work to get there.
September 18, 2017
I enjoyed this book, however it felt incomplete. I wanted more. It was so... short. I will revisit this author.
June 29, 2021
Meh. I was expecting more zombie action. Kinda lack luster TBH.
February 26, 2022
3.5 stars
June 5, 2012
I had won this book in a GoodReads giveaway... Yaaaay me!
That was probably a few months ago. But winning books? God that's like a special present for me.
But I finally decided to read this book. Not because I really WANTED to, but because I had unfortunately misplaced World War Z by Max Brooks in a movie theater when I went to see The House at the End of the Street last weekend... So worried, and it was a school library book, too!
Anyway. The back of this book advertises the writing style was like that of the late-and-great Michael Crichton, but with zombies.
Now, I'm TERRIFIED of zombies. Terrified of them, but I can't help but read them nowadays.
Perhaps it's my secret hidden fear that society is just mindless, that there's no way to control peoples' hidden instincts; forget stupid "consumerism" that that one 80s zombie movie was about, I'm worried about humankind's baser nature and it not being controllable. We're so selfish nowadays.. I also worry that we are connected a little TOO well in this day and age. Just one industrialized country down and everyone else falls. European Union's bad economy affects ALL of our economies, for example. Diseases spread easily and all that. It's frightening.
Okay, focus, Talyn, focus.
To me this book was alright, I guess. The author frequently went on tangents and bombarded me with information in an effort to "explain" to the reader the significance of a certain discovery or comment about nature, society, or whatever. Michael Crichton did that a little bit, but his blurbs and extensive research were brief and not threatening or irritating. Unfortunately this book assumes the two latter flaws.
It would be okay if the book was specifically about this and this subject, but trying to connect zombies with this-and-this that goes on for half a page really interrupts the story. This is just the author telling me background "outside-the-story" information and basis; no one is thinking this. Michael Crichton's characters were in the position to KNOW what the omnipotent narrator was telling the readers, and the feeling was that he/she was thinking it along with the author. But that only happened some of the time with the characters in this book. Most of the time it was simply omnipotent author bombarding me with information I REALLY didn't need, at least not in the extensive capacity that Darst supplied.
Also, a few typos in the latter half of the book.
Things like "It was because there wasn't much of Heston to be seen. was no Doctor Heston,..."
And "And what makes you think I might need your_help?"
AND "They worshipers clapped thunderously."
Seriously? "They worshipers"? This is a mistake a hasty fanfiction author makes when trying to crank out a new chapter of their Bleach or Star Wars fan fiction (Dude, NOT badmouthing fanfic authors. You guys are pimps.) , not a published book.
Yeah, a little snippety with things like that, but there were QUITE a few errors like that. Where did it go wrong? Was his word processor to flipping lazy by chapter 15?
And I didn't really feel anything for the characters, to be honest. I felt a LITTLE bit for Ian, I thought Van was supremely annoying, and Kari Wright's soldieresque and no-nonsense personality reminded me of Chief Guard Makina from the anime/manga Deadman Wonderland
Seriously, I'm just reading and I keep thinking, "Big-breasted, cutlass-wielding bitch-guard-lady from Deadman Wonderland...Big-breasted, cutlass wielding bitch-guard-lady from Deadman Wonderland..."
But that's just me.
So this book was okay, I guess, but I was not a fan of the barrage of info that I could've done without. Especially that huge list of comparisons between Dune and Star Wars . Oh man, Van was such a dick to Burt! I felt so bad for him! Nothing worse for a nerd than having your fandom ripped apart like tissue paper...
That was probably a few months ago. But winning books? God that's like a special present for me.
But I finally decided to read this book. Not because I really WANTED to, but because I had unfortunately misplaced World War Z by Max Brooks in a movie theater when I went to see The House at the End of the Street last weekend... So worried, and it was a school library book, too!
Anyway. The back of this book advertises the writing style was like that of the late-and-great Michael Crichton, but with zombies.
Now, I'm TERRIFIED of zombies. Terrified of them, but I can't help but read them nowadays.
Perhaps it's my secret hidden fear that society is just mindless, that there's no way to control peoples' hidden instincts; forget stupid "consumerism" that that one 80s zombie movie was about, I'm worried about humankind's baser nature and it not being controllable. We're so selfish nowadays.. I also worry that we are connected a little TOO well in this day and age. Just one industrialized country down and everyone else falls. European Union's bad economy affects ALL of our economies, for example. Diseases spread easily and all that. It's frightening.
Okay, focus, Talyn, focus.
To me this book was alright, I guess. The author frequently went on tangents and bombarded me with information in an effort to "explain" to the reader the significance of a certain discovery or comment about nature, society, or whatever. Michael Crichton did that a little bit, but his blurbs and extensive research were brief and not threatening or irritating. Unfortunately this book assumes the two latter flaws.
It would be okay if the book was specifically about this and this subject, but trying to connect zombies with this-and-this that goes on for half a page really interrupts the story. This is just the author telling me background "outside-the-story" information and basis; no one is thinking this. Michael Crichton's characters were in the position to KNOW what the omnipotent narrator was telling the readers, and the feeling was that he/she was thinking it along with the author. But that only happened some of the time with the characters in this book. Most of the time it was simply omnipotent author bombarding me with information I REALLY didn't need, at least not in the extensive capacity that Darst supplied.
Also, a few typos in the latter half of the book.
Things like "It was because there wasn't much of Heston to be seen. was no Doctor Heston,..."
And "And what makes you think I might need your_help?"
AND "They worshipers clapped thunderously."
Seriously? "They worshipers"? This is a mistake a hasty fanfiction author makes when trying to crank out a new chapter of their Bleach or Star Wars fan fiction (Dude, NOT badmouthing fanfic authors. You guys are pimps.) , not a published book.
Yeah, a little snippety with things like that, but there were QUITE a few errors like that. Where did it go wrong? Was his word processor to flipping lazy by chapter 15?
And I didn't really feel anything for the characters, to be honest. I felt a LITTLE bit for Ian, I thought Van was supremely annoying, and Kari Wright's soldieresque and no-nonsense personality reminded me of Chief Guard Makina from the anime/manga Deadman Wonderland
Seriously, I'm just reading and I keep thinking, "Big-breasted, cutlass-wielding bitch-guard-lady from Deadman Wonderland...Big-breasted, cutlass wielding bitch-guard-lady from Deadman Wonderland..."
But that's just me.
So this book was okay, I guess, but I was not a fan of the barrage of info that I could've done without. Especially that huge list of comparisons between Dune and Star Wars . Oh man, Van was such a dick to Burt! I felt so bad for him! Nothing worse for a nerd than having your fandom ripped apart like tissue paper...
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