The Rising series by Brian Keene (spoiler warnings)

[Sean]

Just page 400. Having a blast reading this one. Awesome suggestion for a group read. Really appreciate the invite. Hope you all are enjoying it as much as I am.

[Jonathan]

So regarding the ending of The Rising.

(view spoiler)[Did anyone else cheer for Ob when he shot that grenade launcher? I loved the weird team up between Ob and Baker. Epic moment in my opinion.

(hide spoiler)]

[Lisa]

I thought that was pretty cool as well. A good twist.

[Zac]

Man - life keeps getting in my way of finishing this, but I'm at about 60%. Can I pose a question that's bugging me though - maybe I'm either just overthinking it or I'm missing something, but...
(view spoiler)[
...if the souls taking possession of the dead and reanimating them are so concerned leaving victims uninjured enough that they'd be mobile for the next possessing soul, why do they have so little regard for preserving the bodies they possess?

So, I'm thinking at the moment specifically of the flock of zombie birds attacking Baker and Worm. The souls possessing the birds are just wasting scores of bird bodies in a fruitless assault for the two humans inside a car. They instinctually preserve enough of their victims for the next soul possess, but have no preservation instinct for a mobile body once they get it themselves? Or is the suggestion merely that they HATE THE LIVING SO MUCH that they rage at them seeking their demise beyond any other rationality?

I'm missing something on this. Let me know what it is.
(hide spoiler)]

[Jonathan]

Hmm..

(view spoiler)[ I am not sure if this was stated in the first or second books. Apparently they get so hungry being stranded in the void, that sometimes they lose control and over indulge themselves on the human body.

Plus they have to damage the human body enough for the soul to depart. Sometimes they slit throats and other times they have to resort to worse means and get carried away.

Ob is one of the few who has enough self control and intelligence to lead the army. (hide spoiler)]

Spoilers involving the Siqqusim

(view spoiler)[ As for the birds I know it could of been explained a lot better. However the real reason for possession is to get the humans down to a certain of percentage of living on the planet. I don't think they care about how long they spend in the host bodies. They just want to annihilate as much of the living as possible. Sometimes this resorts to becoming a human bullet or bomb. (hide spoiler)]

[Ange]

Thanks Jonathan I was wondering the same thing when i read the book. (view spoiler)[ Im assuming that because Ob immediately took over Baker's body that he gets to pick and choose which body he can come back in, is it because he is their leader that he gets first dibs? Im sure the ones coming back as a rat or a bird would prefer a human host yet it would seem they have no choice whose body they overtake (hide spoiler)]

[Jonathan]

About Ob Lord of the Siqqusim

(view spoiler)[Ob is one of the Thirteen Entities / God that existed before our universe was created. All 13 of them are super pissed at our creator for destroying their universe to create our own. The Thirteen are incredibly powerful but have to obey the laws that God put forth. (Or something like that.) Ob gets to "cut in line" in front of the other lesser Siqqusim because he is much more powerful then they are.

In case you were wondering where the other members of the thirteen show up, two of them show up in Earthworm Gods and cause the destruction of that world. (hide spoiler)]

If you have any questions please feel free to ask! =)

[Pamellia]

This is some good discussion regarding the logic of some of the happenings in The Rising. The way I deal with some of these seemingly illogical happenings is to remind myself that it is a horror book, written for our entertainment and not a dissertation for a PhD. Just sayin'...(:

[Mehmet]

Finished the first book last night so I join in on the discussion.

(view spoiler)[the soul aim of Ob and the siqqusim was to conquer the the planet and they would possess any animal to join their ranks in this aim. They are very bitter at humanity.
I did love the part that Ob used the rocket launcher.
Plus when the National Guard got their just desert I was cheering. Hated them more then Ob.<\spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

[Pamellia]

(view spoiler)[ I actually hated the National Guard more than Ob, also. Ob was doing what lesser gods do...taking over a planet and being bad-arse about it. That's their job description, their nature.

The National Guard is suppose to be helping the civilians by organizing them and keeping them fed, watered, secure and etc. Yet they chose a different path that was destructive for everyone. I'm not sure there is any place to hide from Ob and his army of Siqqusim, but the NG, should have tried.

Have any of you read the zombie series, THE REMAINING? Captain Lee Harden of the United States Army? Ring a bell. He even practiced his line of, "I'm here to help you". I like it when the armed service people help out the population and keep the peace, as much as they can and not destroy people's already desperate lives.

Once again, this is an earlier book...when was it written? I wonder if Brian has a problem with our armed services as a whole or if that's just the way he wrote the book. I kept hoping that some regular army or Marines would come a long and knock some sense into those National Guard guys. LOL Guess they got some sense knocked out of them in the end.

Did Ob launch the rocket at the Nat Guard. I've read 2 or 3 novels since this one and can't exactly remember?? Thanks!! (hide spoiler)]

[Pamellia]

Another zombie book I read with armed services involvement...the Army (I think) was traveling through the south in a train destined for some base. They would stop and help people when needed. I don't think the work was exclusively about the Army, but about another group and the Army happened to help. Does anyone recognize this book. I can't remember which one it was! Oh darn, I hate when that happens and it happens to me all the time.

[Jonathan]

(view spoiler)[ I don't believe Brian Keene had any problems with the armed forces at all. Both The Last Zombie: Dead New World and his short story in The Rise and Fall of Babylon were all very pro-military. If you read the authors notes in Babylon Falling he states his Father and Grandfather served in the military. I think there is a lot of evidence of this in Earthworm Gods. Plus Brian has won awards for supporting our troops.

Brian Keene's The Last Zombie is basically in the same vain as The Remaining book you described. It involves the military trying to travel across America to help fellow troops in need. Along the way the help citizens who are suffering and also get attacked by bandits.

I think if anything The Rising was channeling the movie Apocalypse Now and how it is realistically possible for those in power to abuse power. But it is definitely now a stigma he carries throughout all of his work.

Ob definitely launched the rocket at the bad guys. I think Baker was the one who helped them get the sneak attack in though.

Don't forget about Skip and the story he told about the National Guard people who tried to resist Shaw. They all got tortured and some suffered the dreaded zombie glory hole. (hide spoiler)]

[Pamellia]

Oh, I didn't forget that the Nat Guard officer was resisted and I recall the price they paid.

I haven't read The Last Zombie. I'm not sure it's on ebook??

[Jonathan]

Pamellia wrote: "Oh, I didn't forget that the Nat Guard officer was resisted and I recall the price they paid.

I haven't read The Last Zombie. I'm not sure it's on ebook??"

Right now it's only a graphic novel on paperback I believe.

It's still a great read if you are looking for something different on the old zombie tale.

Usually zombie tales start with the outbreak and detail the fall of civilization. Here it's the end of a ruined society trying to hang on. The artwork is outstanding as illustrated by the awesome cover and the prose is tight and gripping.

[Pamellia]

Jonathan wrote: "Pamellia wrote: "Oh, I didn't forget that the Nat Guard officer was resisted and I recall the price they paid.

I haven't read The Last Zombie. I'm not sure it's on ebook??"

Right now it's only a..."

I started with the kindle because I cannot hold books any longer. I have read some of THE WALKING DEAD comic books, but I got sort of bored of them and the show is so much better any way.

Thanks, Jonathan.

[Jonathan]

Pamellia wrote: "
Thanks, Jonathan. ..."

No problem. I'll let you know if and when it gets a Kindle release. Most of his work usually ends up on the Kindle at some point or another.

Again I want to reiterate that there are no zombies in The Last Zombie. The point of the story is what happens after the zombie apocalypse is over, which is why the story is a lot different from the Walking Dead.

;)

Man I'm loving all of this zombie discussion. It's a lot of fun!

[Natasa]

Hi guys just to let everyone know I'm alive. I was pretty much absent from GR the last week and more. Pamelia I'll answer your message when I'm on my laptop and sorry for waiting. I totally loved The rising, finished it this morning. I might even start part 2 straight away, not sure yet. I'm so happy to have found this author, thx Jonathan. To everyone else, many hugs from chilly Dubrovnik.

[Jonathan]

Natasa wrote: "I might even start part 2 straight away, not sure yet. I'm so happy to have found this author, thx Jonathan. To everyone else, many hugs from chilly Dubrovnik.
..."

I am glad you are enjoying the author Natasa. He is my favorite horror author of all time.

I think you will like our Clickers group buddy read when we start it sometime in November / December! I invite everyone to join us for some festive giant killer crab action this holiday season.

[Mehmet]

Yep I am also enjoying the sequel City of the dead, a lot. Considering Brian Keene did not plan on writing it, he did a bloody good job !

[Jonathan]

Mehmet wrote: "Yep I am also enjoying the sequel City of the dead, a lot. Considering Brian Keene did not plan on writing it, he did a bloody good job !"

Mehmet is right. The author never planned for a sequel but it turned out really good in my opinion. He also said once he got the ball rolling he had a lot of fun writing City of the Dead.

I am really glad you are enjoying it Mehmet!

[Mehmet]

Been very busy folks but my progress so far is 55% through city of the dead. What is your progression so far ?
Cheers Jonathan :-) should we set a date for Clickers buddy read ? It will be a separate thread, so it be just a matter of trying to gather friends to join us :-)

[Jonathan]

Mehmet wrote: "Cheers Jonathan :-) should we set a date for Clickers buddy read ? It will be a separate thread, so it be just a matter of trying to gather friends to join us :-)
..."

I think you are making great progress Mehmet, I believe pretty much everyone who started City of the Dead is around the same spot. There are a few who aren't sure about starting it like Pam and Natalia.

We should definitely set up the Clickers buddy read, so we can start recruiting for it! =)



What date is good for you?

[Mehmet]

Well could be either 3th November or 10th November Jonathan. Which is the best date you believe ?

[Jonathan]

The number 3 is my favorite number!

I say November 3rd!!



Anyone want to have some lobster or crab with their Holiday meal this year?

Mwa ha ha ha ha ha!

[Mehmet]

I actual had Lobster for Xmas dinner two years ago. It was nice ! Think after reading this book may be bit frightened to do so :-D
Ok November the 3rd it is then.
If any one wants to join me and Jonathan from this Rising group for the Clickers this November you are all welcome. We be setting up a separate thread. :-)

[Pamellia]

We had lobster tails last Christmas eve. I just read Night of the Crabs. It was a lot of fun, but I think I'll pass on another killer crab or lobster book.

Thanks!

[Mehmet]

Ahhh no problem Pamilla. I recommend you join us for City of the Dead though the book is great.

[Jonathan]

You will be missed Pam.

Perhaps you can join us next time I hope. If you are ever willing to give Brian Keene another try!

:)

[Mehmet]

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Set up the thread Jonathan, so to all our friends on this Rising thread, you are welcome to join us again. Just let me or Jonathan know. We still got books 2 and 3 left in this thread so do worry, still lots of fun to go :-)

[Mehmet]

Sorry Jonathan I put the new clickers thread in wrong folder, I try to get it moved to its correct place. :-(

[Zac]

Thanks for having me along for the read of The Rising, all, and for addressing my questions! I enjoyed this tremendously and will definitely read City, but it's going to take a minute because I'm also trying to finish Carrion Comfort before Halloween and IT'S a DOOZY!

I thought it was interesting that people found the ending too ambiguous - it seemed pretty straightforward to me.

[Jonathan]

Thank you Zac.

We appreciate all of you for joining us. (Pam, Natasa, Ange, Kaisersoze, Tim, Zac, Lisa and anyone else I may be forgetting.) I am so grateful to be able to read Brian Keene books with all of you. Especially with the busy work schedules I'm sure most of you have.

For future reference Mehmet's buddy reads will always be laid back. That's the kind our readers the two of us are. So never worry about keeping up with the early birds. ;)

[Mehmet]

Yep so laid back people confuse me for having a snooze......zzzzzzzzzzzzz

[Mehmet]

Ahhhh thanks Jonathan and thanks for all you lovely people that joined in the fun also. Who in the group has the 3rd book ?

[Jonathan]

Zac wrote: "Thanks for having me along for the read of The Rising, all, and for addressing my questions! ..."


Oh! and I love answering questions about Brian Keene's books! It's nice to nerd out with other people about his work.

[Sean]

Ughhhh. I can't keep up.

[Jonathan]

We're not done with City of The Dead. =(

[Mehmet]

Do not worry Sean :-) read at your own pace. Enjoy yourself and relax, I still only at 59% through city of the Dead. So do not panic my friend.

[Natasa]

Jonathan wrote: "Mehmet wrote: "Yep I am also enjoying the sequel City of the dead, a lot. Considering Brian Keene did not plan on writing it, he did a bloody good job !"

Mehmet is right. The author never planned ..."

Never planned a sequel? But it totally screams - a sequel lol

Not to find out about Jim, Martin, Frankie...Ob???

;)

[Natasa]

Zac wrote: "Thanks for having me along for the read of The Rising, all, and for addressing my questions! I enjoyed this tremendously and will definitely read City, but it's going to take a minute because I'm ..."

Carrion Comfort is a huge read...it took me ages and i'm usually a quick reader...

[Jonathan]

Natasa wrote: "Never planned a sequel? But it totally screams - a sequel lol..."

It's true. Just like George Romero he never had any plans to continue his trilogy. Yet it seems like the fans pushed both of them to bring back the undead. Basically Brian Keene's intentions were for everyone to bite the dust in the first Rising book.

Also another fun note was that he never wanted the sequel to be called City of the Dead. He wanted it to be called Rising 2: More then Infinity.

But the publisher made him change the title, thus cutting off most of the ties to the first book.

[Sean]

Finally finished. Will definately read the sequel but not right away. Not so sure how I feelt about the ending. Would definately be upset if there wasn't a sequel. Thanks again for letting me tag along.

[Ange]

Hey guys, finished City of the Dead over the weekend. It was a lot a fun but ... OMG that ending!!!! After reading the intro by Keene where he said he wasnt that into the sequel when he started but then couldnt wait to keep going as he got further into the story I feel like that did reflect on his writing. The start felt a bit meh to me but then it got better and better. Im struggling to rate this one at the moment so will give it a few days.

Clickers is on my tbr pile but Ive got a few commitments on in November so will opt out of that one. Definitely let me know if there are any more buddy reads coming up.

[Eden]

I finished City of the Dead on Tuesday and thought it was great. I don't have Selected Scenes from the End of the World, but I do have some other Brian Keene books I haven't read yet and if you guys decide to do a buddy read for one of those I'll join in.

[♥♡¢σσкιє♥♡ (Krystle)]

Finished City of the Dead! It was pretty good and I had a lot of fun. The humor was dark but ever present, and the ending was bitter sweet.

I need to read some other books before I start my next buddy read so I think I'll pass on Selected Scenes from the End of the World right now. Maybe I can read it on my own later though.

Had fun reading with you guys!! :D

[Jonathan]

Thanks for joining up everyone! =)

Overall I would say this buddy read was a huge success! I had a lot of fun and I hope all of you had a blast reading!

[Kaisersoze]

I'm still happy to do Selected Scenes with you, Jonathan.

[Mehmet]

I finished City of the Dead and started Rising 3 selected scenes from the end of the world. So do not worry guys, this buddy read is still on :-)

[Jonathan]

Yep! We still have life in this topic so feel free to keep chiming in!!

[Zac]

Natasa wrote: "Carrion Comfort is a huge read...it took me ages and i'm usually a quick reader..."

You aren't kidding, sister!