DUST & DECAY by Jonathan Maberry (a book review)
Published February 8, 2012
Shortly after being crowned one of the elite few who is *MOST* likely to survive a zombie apocalypse (remember that Facebook test I rocked a while back?), I decided that it’d be a good idea to actually read a variety of zombie literature beyond just Mr. Cronin (and, yes, his creepers are more vamps anyway, but…whatever). You know…just to make sure my mad fighting/shooting/awesome-singing skills were really up to par (and also to see if there were any authors who might benefit from my newly-identified zombie survival advice).
Especially seeing as, before discovering this zombie-fighting-intelligence gift I’ve got, I’d never had ANY interest in zombies. Partly due to the whole rotting flesh thing, and partly due to the fact that they’re just so INCESSENTLY WHINY. As if us moms don’t deal with that enough. When I have my zombie apocalypse compound, I’m totally going to have to post a sign that says the exact same thing I tell my kids: “This is not a moaning/whining space. If you want to moan/whine/try to eat my brains, go do it in your own room.” (I predict these signs will be popular and I’m copywriting them as we speak.)
Anyhoo, as you’ll recall, one of the books I’ve enjoyed on this whole zombie enlightenment path is Jonathan Maberry’s YA novel “Rot and Ruin” (which I reviewed for you a few months ago). Not overly gory, not obsessively horrific, the book is zombies and YA and character development done with brilliance. And kind of a gateway zombie drug book, if you will. After reading it, I found myself seduced into thinking—This whole zom thing isn’t so bad; they just want to be loved! And promptly followed it up with indulging in the most terrifying book of my adult life (which I will review for you one of these days because it also was brilliant). It’s even gotten to the point where I can now watch “The Walking Dead” with my husband. (Cringing behind blankets and cramming obscene amounts of sugar-drenched cereal in my face because I eat when I’m stressed still counts as “watching,” right?)
So, it seems fitting that the first zombie book I recommend this year happens to be the second in Mr. Maberry’s “Rot and Ruin” series: “Dust and Decay.” I enjoyed it (almost) as much as the first. Lilah rocks (as always), Benny and Chong are just as funny, and Tom Imura is still a total hottie.
As they head off into the Rot and Ruin in search of civilization (following the path the airplane flew), Tom, Benny, Nix, and Lilah (and accidentally Chong—poor Chong) come face to face with their deepest fears. And I’m not talking zombies (which is odd since you’d think dead people craving your flesh would be the most horrifying aspect to a person’s world). Their fears come in the form of their pasts—people, violence, memories, loss, internal demons—being carried into their futures—Gameland, death, love, and vulnerability. Combine that with just enough twists to keep me surprised and like “What the kraken?” at certain points, and sad at others as I felt the loss with this little band of tested friends. Oh, and I loved that the underlying themes developed so well in “Rot and Ruin” of love, family, friendships, and valuing human life are in there, working beneath the skin, pulling the reader into caring about the zombies, the harsh landscapes, and the broken individuals as they struggle through pain and, at times, anger in their quest for hope.
If “Rot and Ruin” was a coming-of-age novel, then “Dust and Decay” is a coming-of-relationship novel.
And it’s so good.
So, there you have it, Preciouses. Run off and read it. Or have you already? (Or any other zombie/apocalypse/scare-your-pants off books that we should know about?)
Tags: benny imura, Book Reviews, dust and decay, Facebook, Jonathan Maberry, rot and ruin, surviving zombies, the lost girl, the walking dead, tom imura, YA books, zombies
02.8.2012 / 6:06 pm
Seriously Mary – I think you could make any book sound good.
I will have to sit down and devour “Rot and Ruin” as soon as I move so that I can then dive into this delicacy. I’m glad reading about eating brains is not as gross as actually having to eat them… hehehehe.
02.9.2012 / 8:53 am
I love love love Zombie fiction…and movies, and shows, and all other things rotting flesh (until rotting flesh is actually in front of me and then I’ll probably just puke). I’m going to have to read Rot & Ruin and then Dust and Decay because they sound awesome.
Plus, I want the review of the other brilliant, terrifying book.
02.9.2012 / 12:32 pm
Great review!
02.9.2012 / 4:55 pm
Aww, that’s sweet, Lori! Thanks :0). And I definitely think you’ll enjoy them!
Cassie, I can’t wait to review the other book! Also, I’m impressed by your strong stomach. I have to cringe and look away at ALL types of rotting flesh…real or not. Eeesh!
Brandy, thanks! Have a great weekend!
02.9.2012 / 6:54 pm
I haven’t read any books with zombies yet- but reading your review has made me quite interested. I may be ready to take the plunge. I hear so many great things about The Walking Dead- that I feel like I should watch it jus tto see what the hype is about. Maybe you will start me on my zombie craze! Thanks for sharing. Great review- obviously if it made me want to read this genre!
02.9.2012 / 7:25 pm
Jess, thanks! And for reals–my version of watching the show looks a lot like pretending to read a book while rabidly eating chocolate. I’ve not seen all the episodes, but what I have watched, I’ve enjoyed the character development and tension!
02.9.2012 / 8:34 pm
Sounds like an interesting read… haven’t read either this book of the other… might have to look them up.
02.10.2012 / 9:58 am
You I bought Rot and Ruin because of your review. I haven’t gotten around to reading it yet but I am excited for it. I hear great things about it. Now I want Dust and Decay and haven’t even read the first. You certainly know how to sell a book. Great review!
02.10.2012 / 10:18 am
Tania, they’re great, lazy Saturday afternoon reads!
Aww, Jade, that made my day!!! :0) Thank you!!!
02.11.2012 / 8:05 pm
Thanks for the great review…and all of the kind comments.
Benny Imura and his friends will return in FLESH & BONE (September 11, 2012) and FIRE & ASH (2013)
In the meantime, there are thirteen pages of free prequel scenes for ROT & RUIN available on the Simon & Schuster webpage for the book. http://books.simonandschuster.com/Rot-Ruin/Jonathan-Maberry/9781442402324
And there are twenty-five pages of free scenes set between ROT & RUIN and DUST & DECAY. Here’s a link to the main page; access the scenes by clicking on the banner that reads: READ BONUS MATERIAL BY JONATHAN MABERRY: http://books.simonandschuster.com/Dust-Decay/Jonathan-Maberry/9781442402355
Additional free bonus scenes will be posed in 2012 prior to the release of FLESH & BONE.
02.12.2012 / 11:43 pm
After hearing him speak at the Writer’s Conference last fall, Jonathan Maberry is the only author who has tempted me to read a book about zombies. After reading both of your reviews of these books, I think I may have to take the plunge.
02.13.2012 / 5:59 pm
Zombies, hmm? Most likely to survive a zombie apocalypse?
I must go check out that link – because I’ll need all the advice I can get should I start to hear a call for “Brains!” outside my door!
02.18.2012 / 10:36 am
Jonathan, thanks for the visit and the links!!! You rock!
Kristen, I agree–he was so good at the conference! :0)
Tracy, everyone should be prepared. And don’t forget to include chocolate in your zombie kit…you know, the basic necessities. ;0)