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Rot & Ruin: Broken Lands #1
Broken Lands
New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Maberry returns to the world of Rot & Ruin with this first novel in a brand-new series that’s more thrilling and filled with exceptionally terrifying adventures.
Ever since her mother’s death, Gabriella “Gutsy” Gomez has spent her days flying under the radar. But when her mother’s undead body is returned to her doorstep from the grave and Gutsy witnesses a pack of ravagers digging up Los Muertos—her mother’s name for the undead—she realizes that life finds you no matter how hard you try to hide from it.
Meanwhile, Benny Imura and his gang set out on a journey to finish what Captain Joe Ledger started: they’re going to find a cure. After what they went through in the Rot and Ruin, they think they’ve seen it all, but as they venture into new and unexplored territory, they soon learn that the zombies they fought before were nothing compared to what they’ll face in the wild beyond the peace and safety of their fortified town.
Ever since her mother’s death, Gabriella “Gutsy” Gomez has spent her days flying under the radar. But when her mother’s undead body is returned to her doorstep from the grave and Gutsy witnesses a pack of ravagers digging up Los Muertos—her mother’s name for the undead—she realizes that life finds you no matter how hard you try to hide from it.
Meanwhile, Benny Imura and his gang set out on a journey to finish what Captain Joe Ledger started: they’re going to find a cure. After what they went through in the Rot and Ruin, they think they’ve seen it all, but as they venture into new and unexplored territory, they soon learn that the zombies they fought before were nothing compared to what they’ll face in the wild beyond the peace and safety of their fortified town.
544 pages, Hardcover
First published December 11, 2018
96 people are currently reading
2854 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Maberry
522 books7,800 followersJONATHAN MABERRY is a NYTimes bestselling author, #1 Audible bestseller, 5-time Bram Stoker Award-winner, 4-time Scribe Award winner, Inkpot Award winner, comic book writer, and producer. He is the author of more than 50 novels, 190 short stories, 16 short story collections, 30 graphic novels, 14 nonfiction books, and has edited 26 anthologies. His vampire apocalypse book series, V-WARS, was a Netflix original series starring Ian Somerhalder. His 2009-10 run as writer on the Black Panther comic formed a large chunk of the recent blockbuster film, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. His bestselling YA zombie series, Rot & Ruin is in development for film at Alcon Entertainment; and John Wick director, Chad Stahelski, is developing Jonathan’s Joe Ledger Thrillers for TV. Jonathan writes in multiple genres including suspense, thriller, horror, science fiction, epic fantasy, and action; and he writes for adults, teens and middle grade. His works include The Pine Deep Trilogy, The Kagen the Damned Trilogy, NecroTek, Ink, Glimpse, the Rot & Ruin series, the Dead of Night series, The Wolfman, X-Files Origins: Devil’s Advocate, The Sleepers War (with Weston Ochse), Mars One, and many others. He is the editor of high-profile anthologies including Weird Tales: 100 Years of Weird, The X-Files, Aliens: Bug Hunt, Out of Tune, Don’t Turn out the Lights: A Tribute to Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, Baker Street Irregulars, Nights of the Living Dead, Shadows & Verse, and others. His comics include Marvel Zombies Return, The Punisher: Naked Kills, Wolverine: Ghosts, Godzilla vs Cthulhu: Death May Die, Bad Blood and many others. Jonathan has written in many popular licensed worlds, including Hellboy, True Blood, The Wolfman, John Carter of Mars, Sherlock Holmes, C.H.U.D., Diablo IV, Deadlands, World of Warcraft, Planet of the Apes, Aliens, Predator, Karl Kolchak, and many others. He the president of the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers, and the editor of Weird Tales Magazine. He lives in San Diego, California. Find him online at www.jonathanmaberry.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
May 12, 2021
Well that was such a fun zombie action adventure!
I really loved the new characters and reconnecting with some old ones from Rot and Ruin. I messed up though people! I hadn't really absorbed the fact that this book took place after the events of the Rot and Ruin series which I HAVEN'T FINISHED! I got some major spoilers which had me moody for at least an hour. Thankfully I get over the small stuff pretty quickly and was able to move on and really enjoy myself.
I am going on to book 2 straight away!
I really loved the new characters and reconnecting with some old ones from Rot and Ruin. I messed up though people! I hadn't really absorbed the fact that this book took place after the events of the Rot and Ruin series which I HAVEN'T FINISHED! I got some major spoilers which had me moody for at least an hour. Thankfully I get over the small stuff pretty quickly and was able to move on and really enjoy myself.
I am going on to book 2 straight away!
November 10, 2020
ALL the stars to Jonathan Maberry's return to the Rot & Ruin world in book 1 of his brand new series, Broken Lands! I'm so happy he chose to return to this world and to return to some of my favorite characters ever, Benny Imura, Nix, The Lost Girl, Chong, and especially Joe Ledger!!
Broken Lands opens with a brand new character, Gutsy Gomez, who lives in New Alamo, Texas, in the part of the U.S. they call the Broken Lands.
The book opens with Gutsy burying her Mama, twice, first on Monday and again on Wednesday. Her Mama died of tuberculosis, as many of the old illnesses are back in this post-apocalyptic world of zombies. Gutsy and her new rescue dog, and her best friends Spider and Alethea (and Alethea's bat, Rainbow Smite) are determined to find out how Mama came back.
This new book takes place not long after the ending of the Benny Imura series. It flips back and forth between Gutsy's story, and Benny's story. And once again, Maberry proves himself to be the King of twists as I sit here with my heart pounding and mouth hanging open after reading that very last page.
I need the next book NOW!!
I listened to this book on Audible and Ray Porter narrates. He's my favorite audiobook performer for a reason! He was brilliant! As usual!
Broken Lands opens with a brand new character, Gutsy Gomez, who lives in New Alamo, Texas, in the part of the U.S. they call the Broken Lands.
The book opens with Gutsy burying her Mama, twice, first on Monday and again on Wednesday. Her Mama died of tuberculosis, as many of the old illnesses are back in this post-apocalyptic world of zombies. Gutsy and her new rescue dog, and her best friends Spider and Alethea (and Alethea's bat, Rainbow Smite) are determined to find out how Mama came back.
This new book takes place not long after the ending of the Benny Imura series. It flips back and forth between Gutsy's story, and Benny's story. And once again, Maberry proves himself to be the King of twists as I sit here with my heart pounding and mouth hanging open after reading that very last page.
I need the next book NOW!!
I listened to this book on Audible and Ray Porter narrates. He's my favorite audiobook performer for a reason! He was brilliant! As usual!
November 14, 2020
Broken Lands was really good. I liked how no bad stuff happened to any of the major characters.
March 12, 2021
Awesome ! Continues years after the Rot and Ruin Series ended. Some old character are still around aged and grown. I loved it can't wait for more
December 10, 2018
Wow! Wow! Wow! I'm so happy to be back in the Rot & Ruin. Well, actually, I'm very glad I'm not actually there, but Broken Lands was such a welcome addition to the world that Maberry created in his Benny Imura (Rot & Ruin) series.
Gutsy is our main character. She lives in New Alamo, a very protected and seemingly thriving community, safe from the "Los Muertos" (her mother's name for the undead.) Her mother has just died from tuberculosis - yes, many of the old diseases have returned. And when Gutsy buries her in the Catholic tradition - tied up but not quieted--someone digs her up and brings her back to Gutsy's house. Who would do that?
Gutsy has a great group of friends, both young and old, that are helping her through her loss. But when Gutsy witnesses many of the dead being dug up, she realizes that all is not what it seems in New Alamo. The danger isn't just from the undead, there is danger within.
Meanwhile, Benny, Chong, Nix, and the others are safe (and a little bored) in Reclamation. The people have established contact with many other towns, including Asheville, North Carolina, where there is a huge settlement and the beginnings of a new government. When all contact is lost with Asheville and Joe Ledger's (who was on his way to Asheville) whereabouts are unknown, the teens decide they can't wait for the adults to do something. After all, Chung's medication comes from Asheville and without it, he succumbs to the virus. So they craft a daring plan to leave the safety of Reclamation and go in search of Joe Ledger.
It is fairly obvious that these two groups of kids are going to meet up. But the why and how isn't clear. And what about Joe? Well, there is a big surprise there too.
I loved the Rot & Ruin series. For some reason, these characters grabbed me from the start. The tension is palpable as they fight off both Zombies, bad guys, and everything nature can throw at them using an unusual and creative variety of methods. So, to have the story continue in Broken Lands is very satisfying. I'm "all in" and can't wait for the next installment--huge cliffhanger in this one, by the way.
Broken Lands is the start of a new series and could be read without reading the previous books. There is enough backstory given to help everything make sense. But...WHY would you not want to read Rot & Ruin first? I think Broken Lands will be much more enjoyable if you have the whole story. So, what are you waiting for? I can't recommend these books enough to horror lovers. Even horror likers. Maberry is exceptional.
Gutsy is our main character. She lives in New Alamo, a very protected and seemingly thriving community, safe from the "Los Muertos" (her mother's name for the undead.) Her mother has just died from tuberculosis - yes, many of the old diseases have returned. And when Gutsy buries her in the Catholic tradition - tied up but not quieted--someone digs her up and brings her back to Gutsy's house. Who would do that?
Gutsy has a great group of friends, both young and old, that are helping her through her loss. But when Gutsy witnesses many of the dead being dug up, she realizes that all is not what it seems in New Alamo. The danger isn't just from the undead, there is danger within.
Meanwhile, Benny, Chong, Nix, and the others are safe (and a little bored) in Reclamation. The people have established contact with many other towns, including Asheville, North Carolina, where there is a huge settlement and the beginnings of a new government. When all contact is lost with Asheville and Joe Ledger's (who was on his way to Asheville) whereabouts are unknown, the teens decide they can't wait for the adults to do something. After all, Chung's medication comes from Asheville and without it, he succumbs to the virus. So they craft a daring plan to leave the safety of Reclamation and go in search of Joe Ledger.
It is fairly obvious that these two groups of kids are going to meet up. But the why and how isn't clear. And what about Joe? Well, there is a big surprise there too.
I loved the Rot & Ruin series. For some reason, these characters grabbed me from the start. The tension is palpable as they fight off both Zombies, bad guys, and everything nature can throw at them using an unusual and creative variety of methods. So, to have the story continue in Broken Lands is very satisfying. I'm "all in" and can't wait for the next installment--huge cliffhanger in this one, by the way.
Broken Lands is the start of a new series and could be read without reading the previous books. There is enough backstory given to help everything make sense. But...WHY would you not want to read Rot & Ruin first? I think Broken Lands will be much more enjoyable if you have the whole story. So, what are you waiting for? I can't recommend these books enough to horror lovers. Even horror likers. Maberry is exceptional.
September 1, 2019
Another fantastic edition from Mr. Maberry! Loved hearing from one of my fall time favorites - Joe Ledger!
This series is geared towards the YA age group - with the main protagonist being 15yo and was a nice change in perspective. Speaks to all age groups as well.
Lots of action to go along with the superbly well done character development. Looking forward to book #2 with much anticipation since the conclusion is quite the cliff-hanger. . .
This series is geared towards the YA age group - with the main protagonist being 15yo and was a nice change in perspective. Speaks to all age groups as well.
Lots of action to go along with the superbly well done character development. Looking forward to book #2 with much anticipation since the conclusion is quite the cliff-hanger. . .
May 6, 2022
Overall Rating : B
The series should have ended at Fire and Ash in my opinion. But Gutsy was a pretty cool addition to the roster of characters.
The series should have ended at Fire and Ash in my opinion. But Gutsy was a pretty cool addition to the roster of characters.
February 24, 2019
Oh man, it's incredible to be back in the Rot and Ruin.
I mean, not really. This is truly one of the bleakest dystopias I've ever read. But Fire & Ash (the last book in this world) came out when I was a freshman in college, so it's been a while. I was really pleased with the new characters, and it's so great to see Lilah, Chong, Nix, and of COURSE, my son Benny Imura- one of my favorite Japanese-American YA characters of all time.
Even though I felt like a lot of the twists were somewhat expected- they were only expected because Maberry is expanding the world and taking the plot to a place that makes sense for the mythology that he's built, and it's absolutely wonderful. Nobody does zombies like this dude.
The only thing that I would critique is that I didn't understand the different timelines, or why they were necessary. The "one week earlier" headers would have made sense if the whole New Alamo plotline had happened in a day, but it felt unclear how many days were passing in parallel to the Benny & Co plot. Also- the interludes were their own separate problem. Where they "two days" from the Benny plot, or two days from the New Alamo plot? This could have been easily fixed if the headers had been specific dates rather than what they went with. This is truly a small nitpick- I didn't feel like this hindered the pacing or the plot itself, it just seemed unnecessary and if I thought about it too much it was hard to wrap my mind around.
I'm excited to see where the second one of these books will take us- the last fourth was absolutely explosive and full of great action and set up for what's to come!
I mean, not really. This is truly one of the bleakest dystopias I've ever read. But Fire & Ash (the last book in this world) came out when I was a freshman in college, so it's been a while. I was really pleased with the new characters, and it's so great to see Lilah, Chong, Nix, and of COURSE, my son Benny Imura- one of my favorite Japanese-American YA characters of all time.
Even though I felt like a lot of the twists were somewhat expected- they were only expected because Maberry is expanding the world and taking the plot to a place that makes sense for the mythology that he's built, and it's absolutely wonderful. Nobody does zombies like this dude.
The only thing that I would critique is that I didn't understand the different timelines, or why they were necessary. The "one week earlier" headers would have made sense if the whole New Alamo plotline had happened in a day, but it felt unclear how many days were passing in parallel to the Benny & Co plot. Also- the interludes were their own separate problem. Where they "two days" from the Benny plot, or two days from the New Alamo plot? This could have been easily fixed if the headers had been specific dates rather than what they went with. This is truly a small nitpick- I didn't feel like this hindered the pacing or the plot itself, it just seemed unnecessary and if I thought about it too much it was hard to wrap my mind around.
I'm excited to see where the second one of these books will take us- the last fourth was absolutely explosive and full of great action and set up for what's to come!
March 11, 2022
Първа книга от продължението на така любимата ми серия за Бени Имура и неговите приятели.
Тъкмо си бях помислил, че Мабери се е изчерпал и няма на какво ново предизвикателство да подложи младите си протагонисти и бам, много съм се объркал.
Освен сюжетната линия с Бени, Лила, Никс и Чонг, както и заигравката с все по-сериозното навлизане в цикъла на Джо Леджър (който си има собствени романи и то цели 17 вече ако не се лъжа), Мабери вкарва нов играч на платното – Гътси Гомес, която се кипри на корицата.
Най-ми харесаха две неща.
1. Този пост зомби апокалиптичен свят е все още млад (около 15-16 години след деня на заразата) и Мабери продължава да го развива, нещо доста нетипично за поджанара.
2. Псевдо науката в тази част е доста приятно затъпена и реалистична. Мабери не подценява читателската си таргет група (15-16 годишни), както правят повечето автори пишещи юношеска литература и в частност фантастика, които смятат хлапетата за полувидиотени зеленчуци.
Да се впусна в произведението:
Гътси живее в Ню Аламо Тексас – градче оцеляло след апокалипсиса, но гражданите му нямат представа, че има други места с жиеи хора (защо се разбира малко по-късно). Когато ѝ се налага да погребе майка си за втори път, Гътси се впуска в разследване, което ще ѝ донесе неприятни истини за съгражданите ѝ, цялото Ню Аламо. Ще открие две фракции, които не ѝ мислят доброто – Плъхоловците и Нощната армия. Заедно с приятелите си Спайдър и Алатейя, двама писатели на пенсионна възраст и няколко други човека, на които може да се довери от части, Гътси оформя план, който ще разбърка привидния мир в Ню Аламо. Само ако оцелеят, обаче.
През това време Бени Имура и компания губят връзка с Джо Леджър и Ашвил. Понеже Ашвил е мястото от където идват медикаментите на Чонг, които потискат зомби заразата, децата тръгват да открият Джо, напук на възрастните, които ги спират.
В тази сюжетна линия малко ми доскучаха някой неща. Явно Мабери не иска да причинява повече травми на младите си герои (той така или иначе ще ги счупи, ако го направи) и ги е оставил на самотек. Нямаше никакво развитие в характерите им, много нетипично за серията (точно за това Гътси открадна книгата от тях). Новите попълнения Райът и Морги не се вписваха в динамиката на групата, сигурно за това авторът ги изстреля от повествованието някъде в средата на романа, но ще ги видим отново.
Финалната битка беше доста добра, но някак нетипично за Мабери едностранна, а висящия край е нещо, което не си беше позволявал до сега в сериите и не знам защо беше нужен.
Иска ми се да кажа още някоя дума за разрастването на вселената на Rot & Ruin. Хлапетата, въпреки скитанията си в предишните четири книги, са видели малка част от Щатите, камо ли от света, а и света тепърва се променя след катаклизма. Хареса ми как заразата се развива и прескача видове. Как самите зомбита придобиват нови умения, както и мутациите във флората и фауната. Светът бавно започва да става съвсем чуждо за читателя място и само младите умове на родените сл��д катаклизма могат да се адаптират.
С кеф ще прочета следващата книга, като си докарам малко шаденфройде с наложено изчакване. Пък през това време имам други книги на Мабери.
Тъкмо си бях помислил, че Мабери се е изчерпал и няма на какво ново предизвикателство да подложи младите си протагонисти и бам, много съм се объркал.
Освен сюжетната линия с Бени, Лила, Никс и Чонг, както и заигравката с все по-сериозното навлизане в цикъла на Джо Леджър (който си има собствени романи и то цели 17 вече ако не се лъжа), Мабери вкарва нов играч на платното – Гътси Гомес, която се кипри на корицата.
Най-ми харесаха две неща.
1. Този пост зомби апокалиптичен свят е все още млад (около 15-16 години след деня на заразата) и Мабери продължава да го развива, нещо доста нетипично за поджанара.
2. Псевдо науката в тази част е доста приятно затъпена и реалистична. Мабери не подценява читателската си таргет група (15-16 годишни), както правят повечето автори пишещи юношеска литература и в частност фантастика, които смятат хлапетата за полувидиотени зеленчуци.
Да се впусна в произведението:
Гътси живее в Ню Аламо Тексас – градче оцеляло след апокалипсиса, но гражданите му нямат представа, че има други места с жиеи хора (защо се разбира малко по-късно). Когато ѝ се налага да погребе майка си за втори път, Гътси се впуска в разследване, което ще ѝ донесе неприятни истини за съгражданите ѝ, цялото Ню Аламо. Ще открие две фракции, които не ѝ мислят доброто – Плъхоловците и Нощната армия. Заедно с приятелите си Спайдър и Алатейя, двама писатели на пенсионна възраст и няколко други човека, на които може да се довери от части, Гътси оформя план, който ще разбърка привидния мир в Ню Аламо. Само ако оцелеят, обаче.
През това време Бени Имура и компания губят връзка с Джо Леджър и Ашвил. Понеже Ашвил е мястото от където идват медикаментите на Чонг, които потискат зомби заразата, децата тръгват да открият Джо, напук на възрастните, които ги спират.
В тази сюжетна линия малко ми доскучаха някой неща. Явно Мабери не иска да причинява повече травми на младите си герои (той така или иначе ще ги счупи, ако го направи) и ги е оставил на самотек. Нямаше никакво развитие в характерите им, много нетипично за серията (точно за това Гътси открадна книгата от тях). Новите попълнения Райът и Морги не се вписваха в динамиката на групата, сигурно за това авторът ги изстреля от повествованието някъде в средата на романа, но ще ги видим отново.
Финалната битка беше доста добра, но някак нетипично за Мабери едностранна, а висящия край е нещо, което не си беше позволявал до сега в сериите и не знам защо беше нужен.
Иска ми се да кажа още някоя дума за разрастването на вселената на Rot & Ruin. Хлапетата, въпреки скитанията си в предишните четири книги, са видели малка част от Щатите, камо ли от света, а и света тепърва се променя след катаклизма. Хареса ми как заразата се развива и прескача видове. Как самите зомбита придобиват нови умения, както и мутациите във флората и фауната. Светът бавно започва да става съвсем чуждо за читателя място и само младите умове на родените сл��д катаклизма могат да се адаптират.
С кеф ще прочета следващата книга, като си докарам малко шаденфройде с наложено изчакване. Пък през това време имам други книги на Мабери.
July 6, 2021
This is a zombie story that younger readers can handle. Free from the course language and graphic imagery present in most zombie stories, this book focuses on the story and living human emotions letting the reader to fill in what occurs when a zombie or recently deceased is "silenced".
The cause of this zombie outbreak is a central theme as it turns out "we" created our own problem. The behaviors and actions of the undead are explained through science trying to keep the realistic feel.
The only concern for parents may be in the presentation of the bisexual protagonist. Nothing obscene occurs, but the character's feelings and desires are clearly made known. Her friends know and either don't care or are supportive, but societal pressures are present that look down upon such proclivities. Overall, this aspect is a very small part of the story.
The audiobook was well performed with each character getting their own voice that felt appropriate to their description.
The cause of this zombie outbreak is a central theme as it turns out "we" created our own problem. The behaviors and actions of the undead are explained through science trying to keep the realistic feel.
The only concern for parents may be in the presentation of the bisexual protagonist. Nothing obscene occurs, but the character's feelings and desires are clearly made known. Her friends know and either don't care or are supportive, but societal pressures are present that look down upon such proclivities. Overall, this aspect is a very small part of the story.
The audiobook was well performed with each character getting their own voice that felt appropriate to their description.
December 10, 2021
"Gabriella 'Gutsy' Gomez buried her mother on Wednesday. And again on Friday. This was the world and that's how it was."
I have to admit that Rot and Ruin by Jonathan Maberry is one of my favorite books - I love the whole series. And because of that, I read many more of Maberry's books. When I realized Broken Lands was a continuation of the Rot and Ruin series, I was excited to jump back in. It was great reconnecting with Benny Imura, Chong, Nix and Lila and Joe Ledger and watching them navigate the world again. There is a large cast of characters, but they all have distinct personalities and the narrator, Ray Porter, does a terrific job.
I love this world and will continue to read anything Maberry writes that lives here.
I have to admit that Rot and Ruin by Jonathan Maberry is one of my favorite books - I love the whole series. And because of that, I read many more of Maberry's books. When I realized Broken Lands was a continuation of the Rot and Ruin series, I was excited to jump back in. It was great reconnecting with Benny Imura, Chong, Nix and Lila and Joe Ledger and watching them navigate the world again. There is a large cast of characters, but they all have distinct personalities and the narrator, Ray Porter, does a terrific job.
I love this world and will continue to read anything Maberry writes that lives here.
June 15, 2023
This is a sequel series (duology?) to the Rot & Ruin series by Maberry. I read that series previously and thoroughly enjoyed it. From the artwork on the end pages, to the drab and gory and horrifying world of Mountainside and the Rot & Ruin....it hooked me! So I was super excited to see this pop up in my library and read it immediately.
As a sequel series, we spend half the book with familiar faces from Rot & Ruin (Benny, Nix, Layla, Chong) and half the book with new faces (Gutsy, Alethea and Spider), so it does seem that reading the Rot & Ruin series would be the best way to understand Broken Lands. You first meet Gutsy as she's burying her reanimated mother for the second time. Gutsy is smart and likes answers to problems, so she soon finds something fishy going on and pursues it with her friends. Meanwhile, a couple states away in California, Benny & Co. set out to travel across the US to Asheville NC, the last remaining populated and governed city in America.
There isn't, to be honestly, a lot of plot. There's a lot of detail and worldbuilding, but the main push for this book is the character development. It definitely felt like a set up for a second book moreso than a fully fledged action packed book. Even though there was plenty of action. I mean...zombies, my friends, zombies! There's plenty of killing and tension.
The lack of super thrilling main plot didn't bug me one bit. I love the new and old characters so much that their stories and struggles held my hand and led me through this hefty book within two days. I highly recommend the Rot & Ruin series and also this one!
As a sequel series, we spend half the book with familiar faces from Rot & Ruin (Benny, Nix, Layla, Chong) and half the book with new faces (Gutsy, Alethea and Spider), so it does seem that reading the Rot & Ruin series would be the best way to understand Broken Lands. You first meet Gutsy as she's burying her reanimated mother for the second time. Gutsy is smart and likes answers to problems, so she soon finds something fishy going on and pursues it with her friends. Meanwhile, a couple states away in California, Benny & Co. set out to travel across the US to Asheville NC, the last remaining populated and governed city in America.
There isn't, to be honestly, a lot of plot. There's a lot of detail and worldbuilding, but the main push for this book is the character development. It definitely felt like a set up for a second book moreso than a fully fledged action packed book. Even though there was plenty of action. I mean...zombies, my friends, zombies! There's plenty of killing and tension.
The lack of super thrilling main plot didn't bug me one bit. I love the new and old characters so much that their stories and struggles held my hand and led me through this hefty book within two days. I highly recommend the Rot & Ruin series and also this one!
July 4, 2019
Not sure if this was a horror novel or a medium for Jonathan Maberry to express his political views...
I got this because I thought Maberry's Joe Ledger series and Pine Deep trilogy were some of the best writing I've read. I had not read the "Rot and Ruin" series because it was hailed as a teenage series. So here is why I didn't like this book:
- intended audience was definitely still for teenagers
- main character, Gutsy, was incredibly naive, and it was hard, as an adult, to listen to hours of her naivete
- he used the novel to express his political views with the naivete of a child
- inconsistencies in the parasitic cause of the zombies (e.g., human walking dead can't reproduce, but infected animals can)
- I have additional problems with how much of the content was just retread of existing novels/plots
- the wastelands by Stephen King
- wolves of the calla by Stephen King (blackmailing members of a community by threatening their children)
-the stand, swan song, i am legend
- characters didn't seem well-written
- overall plot seemed weak - why would so many townspeople be so helpless 15 years into a plague of walking dead? seems like only the resilient sort would still be alive. 7 billion people are dead, and kids are still arguing about ethics of finding a cure? Seems like society may degenerate a bit more than that. I guess I have problems understanding the complacency of people surrounded by walking dead when their town's population shrunk from 22,000 to 4,000 over two years. I know the genre is apocalyptic horror, but it seems like their should be logical consistency in the story.
I got this because I thought Maberry's Joe Ledger series and Pine Deep trilogy were some of the best writing I've read. I had not read the "Rot and Ruin" series because it was hailed as a teenage series. So here is why I didn't like this book:
- intended audience was definitely still for teenagers
- main character, Gutsy, was incredibly naive, and it was hard, as an adult, to listen to hours of her naivete
- he used the novel to express his political views with the naivete of a child
- inconsistencies in the parasitic cause of the zombies (e.g., human walking dead can't reproduce, but infected animals can)
- I have additional problems with how much of the content was just retread of existing novels/plots
- the wastelands by Stephen King
- wolves of the calla by Stephen King (blackmailing members of a community by threatening their children)
-the stand, swan song, i am legend
- characters didn't seem well-written
- overall plot seemed weak - why would so many townspeople be so helpless 15 years into a plague of walking dead? seems like only the resilient sort would still be alive. 7 billion people are dead, and kids are still arguing about ethics of finding a cure? Seems like society may degenerate a bit more than that. I guess I have problems understanding the complacency of people surrounded by walking dead when their town's population shrunk from 22,000 to 4,000 over two years. I know the genre is apocalyptic horror, but it seems like their should be logical consistency in the story.
November 13, 2020
November 2020
I re-read this when the sequel came out and enjoyed it every bit as much as the first time. These are some of my favorite characters of all time, so coming back to visit with them again was a pleasure! And of course Ray Porter's narration is amazing -
April 2019
Wow.
In this new series set in the world of Benny Imura, we meet some new characters and some surprising ones. Joe Ledger continues to be the entertaining badass that he has always been. Benny and friends now are more saviors than kids who are learning how to defend themselves and their own. Maberry expertly crafts yet another part of this world with zombies that are more complex and we get a glimpse into their creation and the motives behind it.
All in all, it's a great ride. Even more so because of Ray Porter's narration; the man is a genius! The combination of the two is so entertaining and I can't wait to see what happens next. I normally finish a book like this in a day or so. In this case, I purposely drew it out so it would last. I see some Joe Ledger in my near future because I can't seem to get enough of this world.
I re-read this when the sequel came out and enjoyed it every bit as much as the first time. These are some of my favorite characters of all time, so coming back to visit with them again was a pleasure! And of course Ray Porter's narration is amazing -
April 2019
Wow.
In this new series set in the world of Benny Imura, we meet some new characters and some surprising ones. Joe Ledger continues to be the entertaining badass that he has always been. Benny and friends now are more saviors than kids who are learning how to defend themselves and their own. Maberry expertly crafts yet another part of this world with zombies that are more complex and we get a glimpse into their creation and the motives behind it.
All in all, it's a great ride. Even more so because of Ray Porter's narration; the man is a genius! The combination of the two is so entertaining and I can't wait to see what happens next. I normally finish a book like this in a day or so. In this case, I purposely drew it out so it would last. I see some Joe Ledger in my near future because I can't seem to get enough of this world.
December 16, 2022
Broken Lands by Jonathan Maberry is not just a book it is an experience. This book is Guaranteed 5 out of 5 stars, when I had time to read I couldn’t put it down and even when I wasn’t reading I was thinking about all the possibilities and how things in the book connected. The book’s main character is Gutsy a survivor of the zombie plague, just as she solves one problem a worse one pops up. She has to depend on luck, experience, and some dang good friends to avoid getting bitten or shot. While this book is worthy of 5 stars the one thing that could ruin your experience with this book is not reading the Rot and Ruin series. Not only does the book contain spoilers but it can also get quite confusing as characters and events from the Rot and Ruin series aren’t described and the reader has to figure it all out. If you like thinking and solving problems, I would say you don’t have to read the Rot and Ruin series as the book gains more depth and you feel like part of the story being able to connect the dot and slowly draw the bigger picture. The writing in this book is fantastic, it isn’t like other books that are overly descriptive or under-descriptive throughout, Jonathan Maberry's writing varies depending on the context. Jonathan Maberry made this story feel like a true experience, if the character who was telling the story rushed through an area the details would be small and just what someone running for their life would notice. The Characters felt deep and developed, they weren’t characters doing something. Not only would the characters grow from the challenges they faced, but there would also be an evident change in them. Relationships in this book are made to develop characters, not the plot, they actually feel like something, not just a love-at-first-sight moment. The character's relationships would change and grow with them, the mood would change because of stress or combat leading to a distance being placed between characters. So in conclusion it is clear that Broken Lands by Jonathan Maberry is a 5 out of 5 stars, I can’t wait to read not only the second book but all the books in the Rot and Ruin series if I can get my hands on them.
December 30, 2018
I really like the world these books are set in, like how the different series connect. This book seems like a continuation of the Rot & Ruin series, set in a different place with new characters and some old favorites.
The events at New Alamo were a bit crazy and more crazy the more you learned. I liked that Gutsy did her best to learn what was going on, to hold people accountable and to do something to save those in her town when they needed. I really loved the people that came to her aid, loved how they all worked as a team to win. Sadly the info they learned at the end was harsh and showed that this wasn’t the winning of the war, just a significant battle. I do think though that they have a chance with the team they are building, a lot of heavy hitters and kids that are becoming heavy hitters.
On a side note, I loved the reunions, longtime friends that thought they were lost and family members that thought they were alone, but no longer.
The events at New Alamo were a bit crazy and more crazy the more you learned. I liked that Gutsy did her best to learn what was going on, to hold people accountable and to do something to save those in her town when they needed. I really loved the people that came to her aid, loved how they all worked as a team to win. Sadly the info they learned at the end was harsh and showed that this wasn’t the winning of the war, just a significant battle. I do think though that they have a chance with the team they are building, a lot of heavy hitters and kids that are becoming heavy hitters.
On a side note, I loved the reunions, longtime friends that thought they were lost and family members that thought they were alone, but no longer.
January 27, 2019
Maberry's back to his old world of YA zompocalypse action, and more than ever, we get to see just how screwed up the world got After The End. No longer simply focusing on Benny Imura and his crew, we also get to follow the POV of a new survivor: Gabriella "Gutsy" Gomez, a bi Mexican girl with more than a passing resemblance to Chloe Bennet according to that stunning cover art - and hell, in text it's stated that likely due to her Native-looking features, she's often mistaken for Asian, just as I've occasionally seen some people (namely, my dad) mistake Chloe Bennet for Latina. Benny and Gutsy form two halves of one great story, a long and sprawling one, over 500 pages long, but blazingly fast-paced. For sure, this is the best YA novel that Maberry's given us to date, and I'm excited to see where he takes us next in the Rot and Ruin and beyond! Though first, I'm going to need to catch up on Joe Ledger's adventures, 'cause I understand I'm two books behind on that front...
December 25, 2018
Here I was - thinking that Benny, Nix, Lilah, and Chong were all living happily in Mountainside after defeating St. John. Apparently not! It seems like they are off on a new adventure to find out what happened to the fledgling government in Asheville, North Carolina. Needing to detour because of the hordes of zoms in their path, they uncover a plot to annihilate New Alamo, Texas. (Seriously? Who would name a town New Alamo considering what happened to the Old Alamo?) The author introduces some new characters in the town but my favorites are still the four from "Rot and Ruin". Joe Ledger is back with Grimm and we also meet Benny's half-brother Sam. The author also makes some timely commentary on immigration and current politics. I must say that I hope Mr. Maberry is writing fast since the ending is a genuine cliffhanger.
May 22, 2021
What a great series! I probably shouldn’t have read this, since I never did finish the Rot and Ruin series, nor did I get to the Joe Ledger series either. But I still really enjoyed this novel and all its many characters, and it was nice to see all the teens from the r&r series again.
Roy Porter is the narrator for the audiobook version of this novel, and as usual, Ray is amazing. I’ve listened to Mr. Porter a time or two (11 last count), and I’ve always enjoyed his work. Porter has narrated possibly all of the ledger series, the rot and ruin series, and a lot of the Pine Deep series shorts as well. His deep, manly voice is perfect for these kinds of novels, and his accents are superb. (And no, I don’t just love him for his deep voice...!). And as long as Ray Porter keeps narrating audiobooks, I’ll keep on listening to him. 😍
Off to find the sequel in this series!
Roy Porter is the narrator for the audiobook version of this novel, and as usual, Ray is amazing. I’ve listened to Mr. Porter a time or two (11 last count), and I’ve always enjoyed his work. Porter has narrated possibly all of the ledger series, the rot and ruin series, and a lot of the Pine Deep series shorts as well. His deep, manly voice is perfect for these kinds of novels, and his accents are superb. (And no, I don’t just love him for his deep voice...!). And as long as Ray Porter keeps narrating audiobooks, I’ll keep on listening to him. 😍
Off to find the sequel in this series!
December 28, 2018
I loved this book it exceeded my expectations by leaps and bounds the best Rot and Ruin book yet and now I really want the sequel in my hands now. I really loved the characters Benny and his group I really liked Gutsy and her group so much too I liked the LGBT part too pairing Gutsy with Alice. I liked how well the characters have developed so far and I really liked the new characters. I loved the story starting with Gutsy and then picking up right where we left off with Benny the story was so well written I really want that sequel so much. So overall I loved this book and I really want to read the sequel.
August 16, 2019
I can't even tell you how excited I was to read this. It was like visiting really good friends you haven't seen in years. The original gang is back together, along with Joe Ledger, and a few new characters. There is a new threat among the undead and it's up to Benny and the gang to stop it. We are introduced to a new character that made my heart leap out of my chest. No spoilers, you have to read for yourself.
If I could give this 10 stars I would. I can't wait for Book 2 to come out!
If I could give this 10 stars I would. I can't wait for Book 2 to come out!
October 6, 2019
This was a LONG book but it never lacked in action which is why it took me almost two weeks to read it. I had to give myself breaks from all the zombies. These were no ordinary zombies, either. I don't want to spoil anything for you so I won't go into detail about them, but they were CREEPY.
A very good book and the ending, of course, was a cliff hanger. I'm trying to decide if I want to read the rest of the books in this series. I think I need some time to recover from this one first. :-)
A very good book and the ending, of course, was a cliff hanger. I'm trying to decide if I want to read the rest of the books in this series. I think I need some time to recover from this one first. :-)
January 11, 2019
Wow. This was everything I wanted. It was such an awesome reunion of characters from my favorite stories (Joe Ledger Series and Rot & Ruin Series). And the new characters are forging a way into my heart. I found it hard to put down. I will admit, I was dancing when the "hunter" appeared. These are such dark horror with an amazing drive towards the positive. I can't wait to ready Book 2!
July 6, 2019
Cheesy and fun!
October 28, 2019
I recommend this book to all poe who like a good suspense book. It is realist and loved it. I couldn't imagine being in this situation. Me as a sixth grader I could not imagine being in this situation. Overall This is a very good book.
July 22, 2020
Oh, hell yes! A return to The Rot & Ruin? Yes, please. I was sure that series was over and done with, but here's a new start, and I loved it. The new characters are great, and it was a treat to meet Benny, Ledger and all the rest again.
Hated the ending though, but only because it means I have to wait a while for the next one to see what happens next.
Looking forward to it...
Hated the ending though, but only because it means I have to wait a while for the next one to see what happens next.
Looking forward to it...
January 26, 2021
I am super stoked to read Broken Lands #2 now
December 13, 2020
I loved the Rot and Ruin series, so I was so excited for this new series. I wish I read this sooner, but I was afraid of not liking it; however, this is a great addition to the Rot and Ruin world.
Gutsy, Alethea, and Spider are enjoyable additions, and I really enjoyed seeing Gutsy's development. That cliffhanger is bringing me pain, however.
Gutsy, Alethea, and Spider are enjoyable additions, and I really enjoyed seeing Gutsy's development. That cliffhanger is bringing me pain, however.
December 13, 2018
Towns and settlements swamped by the dead, zoms, or the biters aka los muertos vivientes, the living dead. There is some kind of evolution in these dead there are the Ravagers, living dead but with some brains in ways still able to kill and maim.
“The Broken Lands were broken indeed.”
There are some theories about these new batch of zoms things unspoken and secretive research with the plague, right from the genesis with patient zero.
You have the memorable crew of men and women from Rot and Ruin series and the military craftsman captain Joe Ledger in this tale.
Benny Imura is in full force sixteen years old, in good health for battle with his kami Katana sword to hand.
In one side of the country there is a new character called Gutsy alongside her friends Spider, Alethea, and Urrea, she has her own tale of survival, loosing loved one to zoms that just won’t stay buried.
Benny, Nix, Chong, Lilah, Riot, Joe Ledger and more, will all converge in due course.
There are the bad ones, the Rat Catchers, the Ravagers, the Night Army, and The Raggedy Man.
There is the Broken Lands and there is New Alamo and there is a fully loaded, high octane charged, brain trails, explosive showdown to come.
What has become of the original zoms? Who and what is behind their rise and new breed? Who is behind this army of los muertos vivientes?
All this mystery elements and thrill of battle delivered with some nice writing that has you immersed to its finality in search for answers. This is not just a ordinary zombie tale, just brains and blood, but has all the technicalities, the conspiratorial ideology, and bio engineering, re-engineering research behind the insidious plague and fall explained making it an evolved and meatier zombie tale, with a great cast of interesting characters.
Review @ https://more2read.com/review/broken-lands-by-jonathan-maberry/
“The Broken Lands were broken indeed.”
There are some theories about these new batch of zoms things unspoken and secretive research with the plague, right from the genesis with patient zero.
You have the memorable crew of men and women from Rot and Ruin series and the military craftsman captain Joe Ledger in this tale.
Benny Imura is in full force sixteen years old, in good health for battle with his kami Katana sword to hand.
In one side of the country there is a new character called Gutsy alongside her friends Spider, Alethea, and Urrea, she has her own tale of survival, loosing loved one to zoms that just won’t stay buried.
Benny, Nix, Chong, Lilah, Riot, Joe Ledger and more, will all converge in due course.
There are the bad ones, the Rat Catchers, the Ravagers, the Night Army, and The Raggedy Man.
There is the Broken Lands and there is New Alamo and there is a fully loaded, high octane charged, brain trails, explosive showdown to come.
What has become of the original zoms? Who and what is behind their rise and new breed? Who is behind this army of los muertos vivientes?
All this mystery elements and thrill of battle delivered with some nice writing that has you immersed to its finality in search for answers. This is not just a ordinary zombie tale, just brains and blood, but has all the technicalities, the conspiratorial ideology, and bio engineering, re-engineering research behind the insidious plague and fall explained making it an evolved and meatier zombie tale, with a great cast of interesting characters.
Review @ https://more2read.com/review/broken-lands-by-jonathan-maberry/
August 28, 2018
I had thought the Rot & Ruin series was over so seeing this one was a pleasant surprise. I was happy to see what Benny and his crew were up to after defeating the reapears. There is a lot going on especially with the relationships between friends and the couples which was interesting to see evolve. It's understandable that after everything that happened that they might start looking at each other and their way of life differently than when they were constantly fighting for their lives.
We also are introduced to a new set of characters and a different town that introduces their own set of trials and tribulations. Gutsy was a bit hard to like but she started winning me over towards the end. She's definitely a kick butt heroine who knows how to hold her own and it is always nice to see a heroine who holds her own without needing a guy to come rescue her.
Benny's gang's story and Gutsy's stories take a bit to come together but it is fascinating once they do. We also get to see some old friends from previous books which made my day. I don't want to spoil them but these appearances were some of my favorite scenes in the book.
This book will have you clamoring for more and I am counting down the days until I can get my hands on the next book. This is an amazing series, definitely one of my favorites!
We also are introduced to a new set of characters and a different town that introduces their own set of trials and tribulations. Gutsy was a bit hard to like but she started winning me over towards the end. She's definitely a kick butt heroine who knows how to hold her own and it is always nice to see a heroine who holds her own without needing a guy to come rescue her.
Benny's gang's story and Gutsy's stories take a bit to come together but it is fascinating once they do. We also get to see some old friends from previous books which made my day. I don't want to spoil them but these appearances were some of my favorite scenes in the book.
This book will have you clamoring for more and I am counting down the days until I can get my hands on the next book. This is an amazing series, definitely one of my favorites!
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