Reviews for Dust & decay
Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
The zombie attacks are bigger, betterand gorierin this nearly non-stop action sequel to Rot Ruin (2010).With a quick recap of events from the first novel, this account picks up seven months after 15-year-old Benny Imura and his "closure expert" stepbrother Tom rescued "Lost Girl" Lilah, killed ruthless zombie hunter Charlie Pink-eye and witnessed the only jet since First Night turned the dead into monstrous zombies. Since the brothers' return to their fenced California town, Tom has been training Lilah, Benny, Benny's girlfriend Nix and Benny's best friend Chong to battle zoms in the manner of Japanese warriors. They need these skills as they set out into the surrounding lawless terrain to find the jet. Their journey is interrupted, however, by Preacher Jack and White Bear, who have taken over Pink-eye's territory, reinstated Gameland (gladiator-style arena games that pit children against zoms) and promulgated bizarre religious beliefs. When not trying to survive any one of these perils, the teens continue to contemplate the meaning of First Night and love in an uncertain time. Their terrifying situations stimulate more debate on the true nature of humans, while a host of savory secondary characters adds to the thrill.A cinematic ending with lingering unanswered questions and plenty of zombies still lurking in the unknown sets the scene for the next installment. (Science fiction. 13 up)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
School Library Journal
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Gr 8 Up-Benny Imura is back, and so are his friends, his brother, and lots of zombies. In the seven months since the teens and Benny's half brother, Tom, burned down Gameland and killed Charlie Pink-Eye, Benny, Nix, Lilah, and Chong have been training with Tom, learning samurai skills to help them survive. They plan to leave Mountainside, heading east through Yosemite to find the jet they sighted at the end of Rot & Ruin (S & S, 2010). But their plans are thwarted almost immediately, and once again they are fighting for their lives. Charlie Pink-Eye has been replaced by White Bear, a bounty hunter with grander plans and an axe to grind. A new, bigger Gameland has been opened, and White Bear is determined that the group of friends be the main attraction. It was the evolving relationship between Tom and Benny that gave the first book such emotional depth and complexity. That relationship is now stable and hence less interesting. However, this sequel is chock-full of gory action, complicated teen relationships, and several plot twists. Though the plot from the first book is recapped, readers should still begin with it (and look forward to a third installment).-Anthony C. Doyle, Livingston High School, CA (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.
The jumbo jet spotted near the end of Rot & Ruin (2010) has not been forgotten. The world's last group of samurai trainees, which includes 15-year-old Benny, his girl Nix, his friend Chong, and former feral warrior Lilah, is following Benny's closure expert brother, Tom, into the unprotected zombie wilds of America to find the plane. But unexpectedly thick hordes of flesh-eaters tear their group apart almost instantly. Separated, the isolated groups uncover the dark secret of the resurrected Gameland, a gladiator-style arena where bets are placed on zombie-versus-prisoner fights. Maberry packs a lot into this sequel multiple points of view, new zombie evolutions, various romances, yet another climactic battle royale but he can intercut action with the best of them, ending most of the 80 chapters with effective cliff-hangers. As with the first book, grief pervades all the bloodshed, and pathos is built before the zombification and death of even minor characters. Maberry knows this world well; when the zombie apocalypse comes down, I want him on my team.--Kraus, Daniel Copyright 2010 Booklist
Horn Book
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Following the zombie apocalypse, fifteen-year-old Benny and his friends (Rot & Ruin) venture forth in hopes of finding a better future. They're unprepared to encounter the Gameland horror-sport in which humans battle zombies as entertainment. The story is full of violent, visceral action; subtext subtly suggests the living may be worse than the undead. (c) Copyright 2012. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
