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Book Review: Rotter Nation (Rotter World Saga Book 2) by Scott M. Baker

Rotter Nation (Rotter World Saga Book 2) by Scott M. Baker

Schattensette Books, 2015

ISBN: 978-0996312103

Available: New Paperback, ebook

 

It’s nine months into an apocalypse  that was caused by a zombie virus, unleashed by vampires. Mike Robson and his team have successfully retrieved the vaccine from Site R, though they have suffered many losses. Upon returning to their camp, they find it completely destroyed and most of the residents dead—victims of a vicious rape gang that Robson’s team had a previous run-in with on the way to Site R. Now, they must pick up the pieces and find someplace new to start over. They must also get the vaccine safely to the government-in-exile in Omaha and try to rescue a survivor from the slaughter.

Baker has continued his post-apocalyptic world in a seamless fashion, introducing new characters while giving even more depth to returning ones. Robson is a real person, struggling with the conflict of choosing between doing the right thing for the world and risking losing his love, Natalie by sending her and the Angels to Omaha with the vaccine. Robson, Natalie, and other characters are all well-rounded, three-dimensional people (and vampires) and it is easy to relate to them through their emotions and how they deal with the situations they find themselves in. They will draw real and visceral reactions from readers.

The world has gone to hell and it is highly apparent in the vivid descriptions of the areas traveled through by the now separate groups headed by Robson and Natalie, and the very bad people that have survived. Away from the relative safety of the camp, the now divided group find themselves facing increasingly worse scenarios and dangers. Baker’s story is compelling and suspenseful, holding the reader’s attention from beginning to end, and the climax will leave the reader wanting more. Recommended.

Contains: violence, gore, adult language, adult situations

Reviewed by Colleen Wanglund

Posted on July 15, 2015 by , Reply

Book List: Zombies Can’t Swim (Or Can They?)

        

Apparently, much discussion has been devoted to this topic. Honestly, I don’t see how there can be any right answer. Dylan, the original Monster Librarian, was a huge fan of zombies in movies and books, and he observed that there were many, many variations on a theme.  Zombies have been portrayed as fast, slow, smart, brainless (haha), almost human and about as far from human as possible. Given the many ways they’ve been written and imagined, there’s no reason they couldn’t be expected to swim… is there?

Well, I guess there is that issue of gross motor coordination, but we can’t let details get in the way of imagination. And there is at least one book with an author imaginative enough to create swimming zombies: Sadie Walker is Stranded by Madeline Roux.

There seems to be more evidence that zombies can travel underwater, though. In theory, the undead wouldn’t need to breathe, so there’s no reason they couldn’t just stroll along the ocean floor.  Underwater zombies appear in Max Brooks’ World War Z, and also in Brian Keene’s Dead Sea. In popular cinema, there’s evidence of this in Pirates of the Caribbean. And in not-so-popular cinema, but probably familiar to zombie lovers is this scene from the Italian zombie movie Zombi 2, which Dylan described to me over and over again.

 

To conclude this brief overview of the deep and meaningful topic of whether zombies can swim, I submit that if you would like to offer me your thoughts on the topic, along with your recommendations, you might just get someone new hooked on the zombie genre. Next up, we will try to address the question: is there such a thing as a “good” zombie?

 

Posted on July 12, 2015 by , Reply

Book Review: Dirge by Tim Marquitz

Dirge by Tim Marquitz

Permuted Press, 2015

Available: paperback and e-book

ISBN-13:  978-1618684301

The Necrolords have invaded the kingdom of Delham, bringing death and destruction with their control of the walking dead. Kallie is a young woman freed from years of abuse in a dungeon by Relian, a priest with the Brotherhood of Sorea. Relian has trained her to become the mysterious assassin Dirge, and gifted her with great powers. so she can protect her people and defeat the Necrolords.  Disguised as Dirge, Kallie does the bidding of the ruthless emperor to earn the money needed for her people’s survival. Now she is thrust into a deadly game, a pawn of both the emperor and the lord who moves against him. Sent on a mission to capture a living Necrolord, she is torn between what is right and the revenge she wants.

Tim Marquitz has created a beautiful world of dark fantasy, complete with zombies, murder, and mayhem (though the walking dead take a back seat to the scheming and action of the story). Characters are well developed and you definitely feel something for all of them, be it hatred or sympathy. Kallie is a strong female protagonist, but not without flaws, and I found it easy to empathize with her and the difficult position she finds herself in. The story is full of amazing detail and depth, and you can imagine this world existing somewhere. Dirge is how dark fantasy should be done. I look forward to reading more about the people of Delham and Kallie’s story. Highly recommended

Contains: violence and bloodshed

Reviewed by Colleen Wanglund

Posted on April 21, 2015 by , Reply
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