I am speechless, Matter in fact, I don’t know what to say? “City of the Dead” was amazing. Now let me start by saying this, I am not just giving this book a good review because I got quoted on the back cover of this book, For that story: Click Here, or because of my review of The Rising (review) which City of the Dead is the sequel too. There are a lot of reason why I lived this book, and I’ll explain them below.
First and foremost, I might take some heat for saying this but after reading some reviews for this book and seeing how some reviewers just didn’t care for it, or just saw it as a plain “Horror Story”, I don’t know. I think Brian went really deep with this story and how what’s going on around us now in this time is the real problem that can lead to other problems in the future. It’s simple, “City of the Dead” deals with many social issues. Brian takes those issues and puts then on another level and sticks them right in your face. The whole hate factor, terrorism, and religion are all factors in this book. If by any means you can’t get that point from the book, then you must have no social skills whatsoever. Sorry but I had to be blunt about it. City of the Dead is not just another horror story, it’s a story that will make you think about not only yourself but the world you live in.
Now getting on with my review; “City of the Dead” starts right where “The Rising” left off. Now! If you never read “The Rising” stop reading this review right now, and go get yourself a copy of the book, you’ll have no clue what’s going on until you read “The Rising”. And for people who have read “The Rising” but not ‘City of the Dead” you guys might want to skip reading this review as well, because as mush as I’m going to try not to give away any spoilers, there are going to be man parts of this review where I’m going to have no choice. So read on if you dare…..
Alright, Here I go……
Right from the start we’re right back with our old crew, Jim, Frankie and Martin. Jim goes inside his house and Martin and Frankie hear two gunshots. We all know this from reading “The Rising”. The problem with “The Rising” is that’s where the book ends. Well we find out that the two gun shots where Jim shooting his ex-wife, the first time he misses her head, and then he gets her in the head the second time. Now I’m not going to tell you what happens from there, but we do get introduced to a few new characters such as Don, whom helps our crew escape to the city, well most of the crew. They are actually saved by a security force who have a base set up in Ramsey Tower. The character of Mr. Ramsey is like a Bill Gates/Donald Trump meets George Steinbrenner kind of guy. He is a self made Billionaire and has built the ultimate skyscraper that can hold up to the biggest of explosions and so on…. Inside the tower is where many humans that survived the zombie massacre are now held up, that is plenty of food and water, doctors and weapons.
And if you were thinking Ob was gone, your dead wrong, Matter in fact he gets a new body that’s freshly dead and gets one hell of a zombie army together to take down the humans once and for all. Now I’m going to stop there and get to the ending. The ending of this book might be a happy one for some and a disappointing ending for others, in all honesty it really comes down to your faith and what you believe in. For me it was the perfect ending to an already messed up situation where the odds are against the human race. I for one praise Keene for the way he ended the book. “City of the Dead” was perfectly put together in my opinion. There were a few things here and there that might of been a bit corny of weird but nonetheless I really liked the book. There are also some cool little things throughout the book that Brian though in there as “Reading Candy” for fans of zombie films.
Overall I more than stand by what I said about Brian on the back cover of this book, He is without a doubt in my mind the next “King” of Horror. Brian Keene’s name should be up there with the likes of King, Koontz and Barker. In my opinion he’s just that dam good. He’s without a doubt one of the best horror writer’s ever. I ask everyone to read though “city of the Dead” carefully, Besides the great entertainment that the story provides you, you might just take something out the experience of reading the book, that might help you see the world around you a bit better and respect the life you have.
– Horror Bob
- Interview with J.R. Bookwalter - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Andrew J. Rausch - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Rick Popko and Dan West - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Director Stevan Mena (Malevolence) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Screenwriter Jeffery Reddick (Day of the Dead 2007) - January 22, 2015
- Teleconference interview with Mick Garris (Masters of Horror) - January 22, 2015
- A Day at the Morgue with Corri English (Unrest) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Writer/Director Nacho Cerda (The Abandoned, Aftermath) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actress Thora Birch (Dark Corners, The Hole, American Beauty) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actor Jason Behr, Plus Skinwalkers Press Coverage - January 22, 2015
