Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry

24840459Rot & Ruin, Vol. 1: Warrior Smart by Jonathan Maberry (author) & Tony Vargas (Illustrator)

Graphic Novel /Comic Book – Paperback, 120 pages

Published May 5th 2015 by IDW Publishing (I won a copy through Diamond Distributors)

Synopsis mk3

Brand-new adventures set in the world of Rot & Ruin!

Written by New York Times best-selling author and multiple Bram Stoker award-winner, Jonathan Maberry, this all-new storyline continues events from the award-winning series of novels.

We meet Benny, Nix, Lilah, and Chong as they travel through the Sierra Nevada mountains just one faltering step ahead of zombie hordes and one giant leap behind the plane flying through the sky that set them on their journey of discovery.

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My Thoughts mk3

I’ve never read any of the other Rot and Ruin books and to be honest I wouldn’t have read this book hadn’t I won it – but I’m glad I did as I mostly enjoyed it.

The first page sets up the universe, giving us sufficient background on the characters and their world. By the second page you’ve got a feeling for these likable kids and the story can take off at a fast pace, which it does really well. I didn’t feel I was missing anything by not reading the previous books.

We follow Benny Imura, his girlfriend Nix, his best mate Chong and Lilah the girl they found living out in the forest on her own, as they scrounge for supplies and dodge and slash their way through the hordes of zombies while trying to track down where the plane they saw came from.

The story is pretty standard until they stubble access the creepy farmer John and his baby farm. I’m not going to say anymore then “it” made me really psychotic thriller uncomfortable, but “it” made the story – if that makes sense.

I’m not a big Zombie fan. I love me some evil bad guys, demonic cults and mythological beasts – but I’ve never been on the Zombie band wagon.

I would say that over all I enjoyed this compendium more than the first eight Walking Dead’s combined – sorry that’s all I’ve got to compare it to – I made it through the first eight of The Walking Dead books by Robert Kirkman. I decided to give the Walking Dead a try as I really enjoyed what I’d read of Kirkman’s Outsiders (demonic possession) series.

I think zombie loving teens (and any zombie fans in general) would eat up this take on a YA Zombie Apocalypse Graphic Novel – Hey! Zombies just aren’t my thing and I’m still giving it a three stars, so that should say something.

3sAuthor’s Links mk3

Twitter – https://twitter.com/jonathanmaberry

Website – http://www.jonathanmaberry.com/ 

Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/72451.Jonathan_Maberry 

Outcast by Robert Kirkman

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Outcast by Robert Kirkman

Published 10th February 2015 by Image Comics & Diamond Book Distributors

I received a copy to read and review through Net Galley, so thank you to the Author and Publisher for allowing me this opportunity.

Synopsis mk3Outcast Bio

My Thoughts mk3

Thanks to The Walking Dead Robert Kirkman would have to be one of the biggest names in the comic book industry at the moment. Outcast has only just put out it’s first six issues and it’s already been picked up for a TV show.

I don’t normally read things labeled as “Horror” but am happy I gave this a go. I am still rather new to the comic book world but am loving it (don’t worry I have no intention of giving up my YA Fantasy’s or any other books for that matter).

I enjoyed Outcast. I liked Kyle, I felt for the bloke. When we first meet Kyle he is living out his days in filth as a hermit, stuck in his own personal hell. Through a series of flash backs we learn of the major events in Kyle’s life and it quickly becomes evident that there has always been some sort of demonic force behind his downfall.  His mother was possessed when he was only a little boy. His wife becomes possessed, sending his little girl to hospital clinging to life and he is blamed for it. The Demons seem drawn to him. Kyle ends up with the local Reverend carrying out an exorcism, and we see him come to life again with the passion to discover the truth. That’s where this volume ends, with Kyle Vowing to discover the truth.

I intend to follow this series, I actually liked it that much. I want to see if Kyle can clear his name and get his little girl back. I want to see what happens with the big bad demon that was threatening the Reverend. And I want to find out why the demons all keep calling Kyle ‘Outcast’. I’d say i’ll wait until they do volume two rather than individual issues, so i’ll probably be waiting another six months (I’m going off of the fact that Saga a issue comes out once a month and every six they do a ‘volume’ combining the six). I don’t think I’d get enough substance in one issue, I fly though one volume as it is.

Anyway I’m rambling – five stars.

Five Stars

Author’s Links mk3

Robert Kirkman on Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/12425.Robert_Kirkman

OUTCAST Picked Up as a TV series – http://www.skybound.com/outcast-pilot-officially-picked-up/

Robert Kirkman with Skybound – http://www.skybound.com/about-us/

Vaempires: Zombie Rising

Vaempires: Zombie Rising (The Evolutionary War #2)
by Thomas Winship

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The tale of the Evolutionary War resumes in Væmpires: Zombie Rising.

Væmpires have taken control of twelve major cities. Their leader, Vielyn, seeks the atomic weapons that will bring the rest of the world to its knees.

Vampire forces are reeling. As Linq and Ray race to the royal estate to rendezvous with Cassandra and Daniel, the princess is captured and Daniel falls.

With the fate of world shifting to their teenage shoulders, Linq and Ray must deal with tremendous losses while battling a most unexpected—and undeadly—new foe.

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The Story starts within Vaempires: The Evolutionary War.
I really liked reading what was happening with Linq and Ray at the different points in the story.
In the first book, it was Daniel and Cassie’s heads through which we saw the world. Now don’t get me wrong, I quite enjoyed it that way, but it was a nice change and I think it added more depth to be in Linq’s mind (a refresher comes later when we get to cross back to Cassie’s any way).

My only qualm with this fast paced and exciting book is that it ended. It leaves us reeling with desire to find out what happens next. Please Mr Winship tell me that the final instalment will be out soon or at least another novella side story or prequel to tide me over.

http://www.vaempires.com

 

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Thunderhead by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child

Thunderhead by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child

Goodreads Synopsis:

Nora Kelly, a young archaeologist in Santa Fe, receives a letter written sixteen years ago, yet mysteriously mailed only recently. In it her father, long believed dead, hints at a fantastic discovery that will make him famous and rich—the lost city of an ancient civilization that suddenly vanished a thousand years ago. Now Nora is leading an expedition into a harsh, remote corner of Utah’s canyon country. Searching for her father and his glory, Nora begins to unravel the greatest riddle of American archeology. but what she unearths will be the newest of horrors.

My thoughts:

I this is the first Perston/Child book I have read and I will definitely be reading more. This was a gripping, fast paced read, with suspense, mystery, danger, action and even a little bit of romance in the end. I’m not going to lie it chilled me in parts and I think I might have nightmares tonight, but I enjoyed reading it. Four out of Five Stars.

 

Casting Shadows Everywhere

Casting Shadows Everywhere by L.T. Vargus – www.ltvargus.com.

Goodreads Synopsis:

In his own words, 15 year old Jake is a “huge pussy.” He flinches. Always. He’s too timid to make a move on Beth, the buxom girl of his dreams, and too busy getting face-slammed into lockers by bullies to do much else. He seeks the guidance of the biggest badass he knows, his cousin Nick.

Nick is a professional burglar and makes Jake his apprentice. They stalk suburban neighborhoods night after night, ransacking houses for jewelry and sweet valuables. Nick teaches Jake the finer points of breaking and entering along with his dark philosophy – that there is no right or wrong in the world, just a series of events that happen without meaning.

At first, adopting Nick’s callous worldview helps Jake get over his fears and confront his tormentors, but he also unleashes an aggression in himself he never thought possible. And as he learns more about his cousin, he realizes that Nick’s crimes go way beyond burglary.

In the end, Jake must face not only the monster in his cousin but also the one in his own heart.

My Thoughts:

Oh wow, full on. To say this story is intense is an understatement. The story deals with; peer pressure, crime, absentee fathers, over bearing mothers, bulimia, consumerism, materialism, murder, and chuck in a huge dose of teenage angst as well.

Wow, I did like the story. Its starts off light-hearted and humorous. I found myself giggling at times. There was a part, I won’t say too much as I don’t want to spoil it, that I went, WTF! where is this going. The story got very dark at one point and I had to push myself to keep reading – but I promise you it was worth it in the end. This is a full on story that deals with the meaning of life. I would recommend it for a M15+ age group, due the language and themes. I’m rather conflicted as to how to rate it. I loved the first half, before s#*t got super serious lol but that’s just my reading preference!! So I’m giving it 3.5 out of 5 stars for my enjoyment, BUT I urge you to read it, because it really is a good story.

Seriously it’s free on amazon for Kindle. If you have a kindle or use a kindle app you’d be mad not to download it and read it. Give it a go it might be right up you ally >>>>>>