Theresa Derwin's terror-tree.co.uk

World War Z
Author: Max Brooks
Publisher: Gerlad Duuckworth & Co Ltd
Page count/size: 344pp
Release Date: 27 July 2007
Reviewer: Kate Middleton

It began with rumours from China about another pandemic. Then the cases started to multiply and what had looked like the stirrings of a criminal underclass, even the beginnings of a revolution, soon revealed itself to be much, much worse. Faced with a future of mindless, man-eating horror, humanity was forced to accept the logic of world government and face events that tested our sanity and our sense of reality. Based on extensive interviews with survivors and key players in the 10-year fight-back against the horde, World War Z brings the very finest traditions of American journalism to bear on what is surely the most incredible story in the history of civilisation.

Reading this book was much like reading an anthology, with the difference that it all ties in, some of the cases moved me, some made me laugh I really enjoyed how this book looked at lots of different angles and points of view. I’ve already recommended this book to friends.

Dead Reaping
Author: Ian Woodhead
Page count/size: 113pp/278KB
Release Date: 15th Jan 2013
Reviewer: Theresa Derwin

Woodhead’s Zombie Armageddon series has been going for quite some time and this around book number five. From the early days of The Unwashed Dead, a zombie fan favourite, to the later books, particularly Dead Veil, Woodhead’s work has been consistent. When reviewing his work I have stated there are editorial issues, however, I have also stated that Woodhead’s zombies are amongst the most intriguing zombies I have come across, with different variations including Hunters, who retain their intellect and ability to speak to the neanderthal-esque Climbers and straight forward dead zombies.

Whilst Woodhead’s books are on the short side, I can safely say that they generally deliver; characters that intrigue the reader and plenty of blood, gore and biting. However, on recently reading Dead Veil, the previous book in the series, the writer left us with a cliffhanger about the Manchester compound, which unfortunately does not get resolved in this book. I suspect he is planning to bring all of the elements together in a further novel to tie it all together. It would be a shame if this wasn’t resolved.

This brings me neatly to Dead Reaping, the continuation of the series, in which we meet a new community of survivors who have created a commune to live together, forage and grow vegetables, despite being surrounded by the dead. Among the commune, there are those who are ‘tainted’ like Clarisse who has a sham marriage to Dominic, and Clarisse carries the zombie gene within her. The commune is policed by Adjustment Officers who clear the surrounding area of the dead, and also hunt out these ‘tainted’ survivors. If Clarisse is discovered, she will be destroyed, so Dominic protects her secret. As well as this group, we have a religious commune ruled by Abbot Moses (Lee) formerly a Hunter, living on scraps of tainted flesh. He ironically preaches abstinence from consuming flesh despite keeping his own small stash. Abbot Moses and his Brothers, are acolytes, with best friend Brother Jacob, are once normal men who use religion to keep control of the Hunters. They exist on their ‘supplements’ of tainted flesh, whilst denying others. But this state of denial can’t last for long, particularly as their mental wellbeing and memories are affected by the lack of flesh.

Back in the other community, there is also the mysteries ‘Our Lady’ who has some sort of power over the tainted and makes predictions about the commune.

There is most definitely a religious overtone to this novel that doesn’t appear in the others, so it comes as something of a surprise and a distraction, and Abbot Moses does become a somewhat confusing character throughout the novel as his mind deteriorates. This is not the best of Woodhead’s novels, however, the series itself is engaging and the big reveal at the end of the novel about one of the characters is a doozy! Furthermore, it does rattle along at a steady pace and the author is always reliable at delivering an interesting slant on the zombie genre. I look forward to his next book and the continuation of the series.

Zom-B & Zom-B Underground
Author: Darren Shan
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Page count/size: 217/212pp
Release Date: 27th Sept 2012 & 3 Jan 2013
Reviewer: Theresa Derwin

Darren Shan, successful children’s horror author, has launched this new zombie 12 part series for kids (and discerning adults). The first novel, Zom-B, starts in the Irish village of Palliskenry as young 11 year old Brian Barry searches amidst the zombie attacks for a responsible adult to save him, instead coming across a horrific creature whose version of salvation is to kill the boy. That is ‘Then’.
‘Now’ finds teenager B watching the outbreak disbelievingly on the TV news, scorning the news with Mom & Dad. And Dad is a class act by the way; regularly beating up Mom & B and supporting racist and bigoted political groups. Because of B’s Dad’s racism, B has a ‘secret friend’, Vinyl, a black boy named as such because his Dad works in a retro record store.
A good portion of the book is spent building up the tension as B tries to avoid falling into the same racist trap as Dad, whilst still ending up bullying kids. B is a confused character, loving and hating Dad at the same time, ashamed of Dad’s racism, whilst also longing for acceptance. This brings a whole new and interesting dimension to the novel, which surpasses the level of a good zombie romp, whilst still retaining this vibe.
There are some great visual horror touches to the book, particularly in B’s dream sequences, which are really quite creepy and in Zom-B Underground, the teenager’s first encounter with the strange Mr Dowling.
Visually, both books are strong as well, boasting fine interior artwork to illustrate key passages.
B Smith is, as mentioned earlier, a complex character, reminiscent of the likes if Danny McCoyne from David Moody’s Hater series; flawed, yet likeable.
There is so much more to this book than I expected there to be. With a couple if neat twists, some age appropriate visceral horror and laugh out loud humour, Shan again proves he is a top notch children’s writer.

This brings me on neatly to Zom-B Underground, the second book in the series released Jan 2013. This book starts with a quick summary of the events in the first book, before launching in with B Smith awakening after these events. In the interest of avoiding spoilers, I’m keeping this short & sweet. B wakes up in some sort of military complex, held prisoner underground and interrogated by doctors and the military. Eventually let into a relaxation area, B meets similar teenagers trapped in the underground complex. B has some difficult choices to make as the book progresses, and as with the first book, there is plenty of action, horrific moments and great character development.
I look forward to the next installment.

Remains of the Dead
Author: Iain McKinnon
Publisher: Permuted Press
Page count/size: 236pp
Release Date: 13th Oct 2011
Reviewer: Theresa Derwin

Featuring an introduction by horror author Joe McKinney, this post zombie apoc novel jumps right in with a reminder of the action in Domain of the Dead, reminding us of what is happening to key characters.

In the foreword by Joe McKinney, he says that this sequel to Domain . . . is “just what you need . . . more cool zombie shit”, and this is exactly what Iain McKinnon delivers with this novel.

The novel starts with the helicopter from Domain, and expands on the beginning scene with the occupants of the warehouse retreating to the roof. We get to know more about Cahz, the leader of the impromptu rescue party, from the research ship Ishtar. The majority of the helicopter crew give up their seats for the civilians, taking their chance on the ground until the helicopter can return. We get to see what happens to the ground survivors.

Tightly paced, action filled, emotional and boasting some surprises, McKinnon’s second outing is a quick read and thoroughly enjoyable. Given the cliff-hanger, I expect to see more!

Zombie Armageddon 4: Dead Veil
Author: Ian Woodhead
Page count/Size: 133pp/291KB
Release Date: 2012
Reviewer: Theresa Derwin

Ernest has settled in to an abandoned supermarket, with his ‘son’ Darren, a model made up of cereal boxes with a football for a head. Aliza and her baby, Diane have found safe haven in the Tower Block group, but it is not quite the haven she anticipated, as her mate must be chosen by a Committee.
Everyone seems to have found their places, one year after the initial outbreak.
But, are they safe?
Zombies are not the only threat in this new society. Sometimes the living have more sinister motives than the dead.
As the dead begin to mutate, only the strongest will survive.
New powers arise and new alliances are formed.

There are some issues with this novel; some of the dialogue feels unrealistic and fabricated, and Woodhead needs to pay more attention to proofreading and editing, however, the zombie mythos he has created is truly ingenious and a cut above the normal zombie fodder. There are three types of zombies in Woodhead’s world, one type being able to pluck thoughts from a person’s head and converse.

The action is continuous and the gore is quite visceral and good fun. Despite the issues mentioned earlier, Woodhead is a good writer with lots of potential, a name to watch.