Fire & Ash

Goodreads Description:    In the gripping conclusion to the action-packed “standard bearer” (Booklist) of zombie series, the threat of death is given new life.

Benny Imura and his friends have found the jet and Sanctuary—but neither is what they expected. Instead of a refuge, Sanctuary is a hospice, and the soldiers who flew the plane seem to be little more than bureaucrats who have given up hope for humanity’s future. With Chong hovering between life and death, clinging to his humanity by a thread, Benny makes a startling discovery: A scientist may have discovered a cure for the zombie plague. Desperate to save Chong, Benny and his friends mount a search and rescue mission. But they’re not the only ones on the hunt. The reapers are after the cure too, and they want to use it turn all the zombies into superfast shock troops—and wipe humanity off the face of the earth.

In this riveting conclusion to the Rot & Ruin series, the battle to end all battles is just beginning.

My Thoughts:

-    This was a wonderful and thrilling end to the Benny Imura series! I've been waiting for this book for a long time, and it didn't disappoint!

-    The characters, especially Benny, has grown A LOT throughout these books, and I like how Benny and other characters reflect on that. They know that their experiences have changed them, and they are no long the same child they used to be. They have become hardened warriors, they've matured in so many ways, and they've seen things no teen should. I feel sad for the characters, but I also feel proud of them. 

-    The author must have done a lot of research for this, or he is very smart in a few sciences. The plague and the cure are very technical, and I didn't fully understand all the science talk and terms. It sounded smart though.

-    The beginning and a few other parts were kinda slow for me, but it was still entertaining, and the it set up a crazy and thrilling ending!

-    I had a feeling Morgie would make a come back! I wish he had done more, but I'm glad that the whole Morgie thing was resolved. I think there are a lot more Morgies in the world than Bennys, and I like how it showed not everyone is willing to run off on an adventure.

-    Go Lilah, Riot, and Nix!! Girl power! Woo!! These ladies really steal the show in a lot of scenes! They were ferocious and didn't hesitate in a fight. It was awesome!

-    It is amazing that the whole series takes place within a year! So much happens, and the characters grow so much. It felt like a lifetime to me and the characters!

-    Even through all the horror and chaos, I love how the author incorporates a bit a humor. I like that the characters can still banter with each other and make jokes. 

Previous books in the series

(click on the covers to see my thoughts)

  

Flesh & Bone

Goodreads Synopsis:    Reeling from the tragic events of Dust & Decay, Benny Imura and his friends plunge deep into the zombie-infested wastelands of the great Rot & Ruin. Benny, Nix, Lilah and Chong journey through a fierce wilderness that was once America, searching for the jet they saw in the skies months ago. If that jet exists then humanity itself must have survived…somewhere. Finding it is their best hope for having a future and a life worth living.

But the Ruin is far more dangerous than any of them can imagine. They are hunted by fierce animals escaped from zoos and circuses. They must raid zombie-infested towns for food and medical supplies. They discover the very real truth in the old saying: In the Rot & Ruin…everything wants to kill you.

And what is happening to the zombies? Swarms of them are coming from the east, devouring everything in their paths. These zoms are different. Faster, smarter, infinitely more dangerous. Has the zombie plague mutated, or is there something far more sinister behind this new invasion of the living dead?

In Flesh & Bone, Benny Imura, Nix Riley, Lou Chong and Lilah the Lost Girl are pitted against dangers greater than anything they've ever faced. To survive, each of them must rise to become the warriors Tom trained them to be.

My Thoughts:

-    This book had a little bit of a different feeling to it.  There are new baddies and new challenges for our characters to face.  

-    The Author's Note at the beginning is a wonderful message about grief and loss! 

-    I'm not a fan of people who hear a dead loved one's voice in their head giving advice.  I'm pretty sure Benny is schizo!

-    Even though these books tend to be sad, I'm glad the author throws in a little humor now and then.

-    These characters have WAY higher pain tolerances than I do!  Wholly crap!  Especially Lilah and Chong,  I think I'd rather just die than deal with that kind of pain.

-    Nix got really bossy and a little annoying.  I know bad stuff has happened and continues to happen, but geez!  Get a grip!  Real people would probably react this way though, so I suppose it is more realistic.  Darn female!

-    I can totally see some crazy cult and other religions being created after a zombie apocalypse.  I love that these books are so plausible. 

-    Brother John creeps me out more than the zombies do!  In fact, a lot of the baddies in this series scares me more than zombies.  

-    There was still plenty of action, but this book wasn't as crazy filled with it as the last one.  This book tones down a bit of the killing and focuses more on the people and setting us up for the last book.  

-    Again, the writing is wonderful!  

-    Overall, this book was a joy to read!  I'm so excited for the last one that is coming out next year!!  I can't wait!!  

Series Info:

Flesh & Bone is the 3rd book in the Benny Imura series.  Click on the pictures read my review of the previous books.

 

Dust & Decay

Goodreads Synopsis:    Six months have passed since the terrifying battle with Charlie Pink-eye and the Motor City Hammer in the zombie-infested mountains of the Rot & Ruin. It’s also six months since Benny Imura and Nix Riley saw something in the air that changed their lives. Now, after months of rigorous training with Benny’s zombie-hunter brother Tom, Benny and Nix are ready to leave their home forever and search for a better future. Lilah the Lost Girl and Benny’s best friend Lou Chong are going with them. Sounds easy. Sounds wonderful. Except that everything that can go wrong does. Before they can even leave there is a shocking zombie attack in town. But as soon as they step into the Rot & Ruin they are pursued by the living dead, wild animals, insane murderers and the horrors of Gameland –where teenagers are forced to fight for their lives in the zombie pits. Worst of all…could the evil Charlie Pink-eye still be alive?

In the great Rot & Ruin everything wants to kill you. Everything…and not everyone in Benny’s small band of travelers will make it out alive.

My Thoughts:

-    This book has a lot more action and horror than the first one.  It is a rush!  The characters go from bad to worse to chaos really fast.  It is amazing that this whole story takes place in only a couple of days. 

-    I think Benny might be going schizo on us.

-    There is a lot of swearing in these books, and it isn't too light.

-    I love that Lilah, Benny, Nix, and especially Chong learn more about who they are and what they're made of.  The character development for these 4 characters is amazing.  They each have to face their own personal demons at some point, and they are some tough decisions!

-    I'm not trying to give anything away, but the ending is sad.  Justice is served, but it is sad.  I'm a little mad about it.

-    If the trading cards for these books ever become a real thing, I want to collect!!

-    There were places in the book that were kind of thought provoking.  Some dialogue and situations just  made me stop and think about them for a minute.  

-    It was fun to get to meet some more of the bounty hunters.  Each one was unique, fun, and creative.  I hope we get to see more of them in the remaining books.

-    Overall this was a wonderful read.  The story, the characters, and even the writing are all really well done!  

Series Info:

Dust and Decay is the 2nd book in the Benny Imura series. Click on the picture to read my review on the first book:

Rot & Ruin

Goodreads Synopsis:    In the zombie-infested, post-apocalyptic America where Benny Imura lives, every teenager must find a job by the time they turn fifteen or get their rations cut in half. Benny doesn't want to apprentice as a zombie hunter with his boring older brother Tom, but he has no choice. He expects a tedious job whacking zoms for cash, but what he gets is a vocation that will teach him what it means to be human.










My Thoughts:

-    This was a wonderful story!!  I'm so excited there are 3 more books, cause I am craving more!!  

-    Benny was SO whiny at the beginning!  I wanted to slap him.  He was a little punk.  It was so neat to see his transformation from a whiny brat to a more mature teen.  I loved his character development.  

-    I did not expect a freakin' zombie book to make me almost cry.  The tears never fell, but they were close.  There is so much emotion in this book!  There are some very heartfelt moments.  It didn't help that my daughter was watching Lilo and Stitch during the letter reading part.  Lilo was saying the whole Ohana thing, and I about lost it.  

-    The story is intense and very sad.  There is a wide arrange of emotions, sadness being in the forefront, but there is also hope.

-    I loved the Japanese references!!  I really want a Katana for the zombie apocalypse.  Those babies were meant to slice through humans in the first place.

-    The story brought zombies and humanity into a whole new light.  The whole idea is so simple, but so original.  I've never thought about zombies this way.

-    This book was amazing from beginning to end.  I thoroughly enjoyed it!!  It is one of those books you can't wait to see the end, but you hate when it is over.  SO GOOD!!