Rot & Ruin

I avoid zombie fiction like the plague. Heh-heh. That level of horror just isn’t my thing. But I picked up Rot & Ruin curious about the two central characters, teen brothers Benny and Tom Imura. Wow! This book is much more than a plot-driven, gruesome-shock-around-every-corner horror story.

The Imura brothers set out together, despite mistrust and sibling rivalry, on a quest through a post-apocalyptic world swarming with the undead. I loved the interaction of love and obligation between them. Deadly trials ultimately forge their relationship into one of deep affection, trust, and loyalty. Nothing melts my heart like an unbreakable… show more.

A zombie book with a heart. Zombies used to be people, family, friends, loved ones and when we read these stories or watch those movies, it’s easy to forget that. The characters in this book want to remind us and try to keep us from turning into a different kind of killing machine. Rot & Ruin is about compassion and questioning the status quo. There is plenty of action but a steady guiding hand to keep us from the brink of losing our humanity.

Rot & Ruin picks up late in the apocalypse, so late, in fact, it’s solidly in the post-apocalyptic period of the end of this world. This is the only book amongst these recommendations that are advertised and listed as being for a young adult audience, but as an adult, I enjoyed this book and series thoroughly. Rot & Ruin’s two main protagonists—the Imura brothers—are endearing, and sweet, and tough, and are fun to follow as they try to make a difference that’s been irrevocably destroyed by the undead plague. It’s filled with equal parts dread, and hope, and is… show more.