Devolution by Max Brooks --> Starting August 14th, 2020

[Aly]

As the ash and chaos from Mount Rainier's eruption swirled and finally settled, the story of the Greenloop massacre has passed unnoticed, unexamined . . . until now.

But the journals of resident Kate Holland, recovered from the town's bloody wreckage, capture a tale too harrowing--and too earth-shattering in its implications--to be forgotten.

In these pages, Max Brooks brings Kate's extraordinary account to light for the first time, faithfully reproducing her words alongside his own extensive investigations into the massacre and the legendary beasts behind it.

Kate's is a tale of unexpected strength and resilience, of humanity's defiance in the face of a terrible predator's gaze, and inevitably, of savagery and death.

Yet it is also far more than that.

Because if what Kate Holland saw in those days is real, then we must accept the impossible. We must accept that the creature known as Bigfoot walks among us--and that it is a beast of terrible strength and ferocity.

Part survival narrative, part bloody horror tale, part scientific journey into the boundaries between truth and fiction, this is a Bigfoot story as only Max Brooks could chronicle it--and like none you've ever read before.

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Ch 5 (view spoiler)[And this is why it’s smart to always be paranoid lol. I feel like even living near a volcano they should have been more prepared, not just because they were so far removed from society. And then to ignore all these very obvious Bigfoot signs, wake up ppl 😂 (hide spoiler)]

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Ch 12 (view spoiler)[People really are the problem. Kinda sad how complacent and unconcerned the ppl became to outside threats. I mean come on if pets are going missing, that’s at least a glaring sign of something going on. (hide spoiler)]

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Ch 22 (view spoiler)[Wow ok honestly I’m kinda impressed with how the heroine named them all and remembers who is who lol. I forget my family 😂 I think it’s safe to say these Sasquatch are not friendly 😱 (hide spoiler)]

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Finished (view spoiler)[This is my first Sasquatch book and as odd is that is I’m all over it. I love myths, urban legends, historical monsters you name it. I really enjoyed this, I’d even say a lot more than world war z. This went to a super dark and bloody place I guess I wasn’t expecting, glad the author didn’t shy away from the harsh reality. Thought it was a great read, better than probably any Big Foot cheese ball movie I’ve ever seen, (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

I may start this today or tomorrow

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Aly wrote: "I may start this today or tomorrow"

I found it pretty decent. The beginning had a pretty slow buildup though but that definitely changed as the book went on!!

[Aly]

Good to know!

[Karen]

Aly, I've got a little behind with stuff but if you're up for reading this too I should be able to get to it early tomorrow. It's one I've been meaning to read.

[Aly]

I'm planning on starting in about half an hour and I definitely won't finish until tomorrow so great timing

[Karen]

Up to ch3. Fairly standard opening with our writer setting us up for Kate’s journals. Hints of potential issues, but nothing that would have you running scared. I kind of hope it happens soon, as waiting for the horror is often worse!

[Aly]

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Ch 5 [spoilers removed]"

No kidding! (view spoiler)[ You live in a remote area, near an active volcano, and you don't have any emergency preparedness? (hide spoiler)]

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Aly wrote: "❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Ch 5 [spoilers removed]"

No kidding! [spoilers removed]"

Aly wrote: "ch 5 reply [spoilers removed]"

That’s why I love dystopias and apocalyptic reads, I feel like I actually learn things 😂

[Aly]

Karen wrote: "Up to ch3. Fairly standard opening with our writer setting us up for Kate’s journals. Hints of potential issues, but nothing that would have you running scared. I kind of hope it happens soon, as w..."

Yeah things happen quickly

[Aly]

ch 7 (view spoiler)[ Already they're fucked. They don't have much extra food, a mountain lion tried to attack them, people are hoarding things. Hmm, this reminds me of a real world event happening now... (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Ch 12 [spoilers removed]"

So true! (view spoiler)[ too many humans think we're on top of the food chain and so creatures aren't a concern. Hello! They're breaking into your houses! (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

ch 13 (view spoiler)[ Oh things are getting crazy! That guy who thinks they're friendly and were trying to communicate is an idiot (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Up to ch5. You’re right...came quicker than I expected! Switching to the external views alerts us to what might be happening, but now I’m waiting for them to become aware of it.

[Karen]

Up to ch9. And there it is...evidence is hard to ignore!

[Karen]

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Ch 5 [spoilers removed]"

I thought the comment about them wanting the rural life while having access to all the mod-cons said it all really.

[Karen]

Aly wrote: "ch 7 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ That scene with the woman cooking her hash browns...made me think of all those pictures online a few months back of people hoarding pasta and toilet roll! (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Up to ch14. (view spoiler)[ What is it about humans that means we assume we’re superior to everything else? Why do they assume these creatures want to befriend them? (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Up to ch21. Although there’s these awful events, I’m liking the little glimmers of hope with the crops growing.

[Karen]

Up to ch23. So much for hope...brutal!

[Karen]

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Ch 22 [spoilers removed]"

There were some strange things about her recording of the events - she noted things that I was quite surprised by.

[Karen]

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"

Agreed - it was dark, but not in a way that I found off-putting.

[Karen]

Finished. Review on home page. (view spoiler)[ Can't decide quite how I felt about the open-ended element of the ending. I wanted to know Kate and Pal survived, and even could see the need for revenge in order to ensure their future survival, but the reality of such a discovery is terrifying. I can imagine there'd be many who'd be quite happy for Kate to have met the fate her brother imagines. (hide spoiler)]

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Karen wrote: "Finished. Review on home page. [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[The end did leave me a little conflicted but the more I thought about it I kind of like the element of unknown. But at the same time if she is out there fighting back, she still has a child with her which makes it scary and hard to believe they’ll survive. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Karen wrote: "❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Ch 5 [spoilers removed]"

I thought the comment about them wanting the rural life while having access to all the mod-cons said it all really."

No kidding!

[Aly]

Karen wrote: "Aly wrote: "ch 7 [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

Me too!

[Aly]

Karen wrote: "Up to ch14. [spoilers removed]"

I thought the same thing. (view spoiler)[why would they want to be friends? They're wild creatures (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

ch 21 (view spoiler)[ Wow, how can you fall apart that quickly? There must have been some issues before? The Sasquatches are so bold now, I wonder what they'll do to protect themselves (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Karen wrote: "Up to ch21. Although there’s these awful events, I’m liking the little glimmers of hope with the crops growing."

Yes true

[Aly]

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Ch 22 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Same! She named them and then remembers, there's no way I would. The Sasquatches are definitely out for blood (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Karen wrote: "Up to ch23. So much for hope...brutal!"

Very sad!

[Aly]

finished (view spoiler)[ What a crazy ending! Pretty much all the humans died, in fact who else may be alive besides Kate? I thought they said there may have been another missing person.

And they killed a bunch of Sasquatches too. It seems likely Kate left the journal for someone to maybe find and went off in search of help, but maybe she was hunting the rest down after all her people were killed. (hide spoiler)] I thought this was interesting and I liked the interviews to round out the story.

[Aly]

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"

I haven't read WWZ but now I think I will! We should look for more urban legend books to buddy!

[Aly]

Karen wrote: "Finished. Review on home page. [spoilers removed]"

Oh that's (view spoiler)[ who else was missing. Is Pal the young girl?

It seems odd Kate would go after the other Sasquatches and I think it more likely she went for help and died on the way, but it would be cool if she made it out eventually. (hide spoiler)]

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Aly wrote: "❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"

I haven't read WWZ but now I think I will! We should look for more urban legend books to buddy!"

I'd be down if you find any, I love urban legends. WWZ was told in the same type of fashion as this but rather than one narrator there are many telling their stories. I liked that about this one more because even though it is also a retelling, it felt more present and action packed in the moment, plus there was only one person telling their story which made it way less confusing.

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Aly wrote: "finished What a crazy ending! P

And they..."

Aly wrote: "finished What a crazy ending! Pretty much all the humans died, in fact who else may be alive besides Kate? I thought they said there may have been another missing person.
And they killed a bunch..."

Glad you enjoyed it. I really had no clue what to expect going in to this one and I was pleasantly surprised. Plus the ending.... I mean damn, it went in a direction I never saw coming. (view spoiler)[Soooooo many people killed and in a short time. Did not expect the action aspect but it really made the slow beginning worth it. Plus while it's a little annoying not 100% knowing if Kate is even alive, I found it sort of adds to the story and gives it this extra layer of mystery. (hide spoiler)]