Genre: Young Adult, Post-Apocalyptic Publication.Date August 30th 2011 Pages: 519 Published By: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing | Website Jonathan Maberry |
Dust&Decay - Goodreads My review copy: Bought by me Where to get: Barnes and Noble | Amazon | Book Depository
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.
(goodreads.com)
“No matter what choice you make, it doesn't define you. Not forever. People can make bad choices and change their minds and hearts and do good things later; just as people can make good choices and then turn around and walk a bad path. No choice we make lasts our whole life. If there's ever a choice you've made that you no longer agree with, you can make another choice.”
“A wise man once said that we can't make anyone feel or do anything. We can throw things into the wind, but it's up to each person to decide how they want to react, where they want to stand when things fall.”
“Nix still held Benny's hand, and her grip tightened to an almost crushing force, grinding his hand bones together. It hurt, but Benny would rather have cut that hand off than take it back at that moment. If it would help Nix through this, he'd give her a pair of pliers and a vise so she could do a proper job.”
“It's important to know the past, but your survival depends on knowing the present.”
Dust&Decay is the second novel in Jonathan Maberry's Benny Imura Series, and - as crazy as it sounds - I loved it even more than the first one (Rot&Ruin). Why would it sound crazy? It's not unheard of that sometimes people find the second novel in the series better than the first one, right? Well, have you read my review of Rot&Ruin?! I went totally crazy, gushing and raving about this book! I thought it was absolutely top-notch and the series couldn't possibly get any better. Boy, was I wrong!
Dust & Decay picks up six months after the horrifying and gut-wrenching events in Rot&Ruin. A lot - if not everything - has changed. We have some great, new characters, but we've also lost some of the old ones. Our zombie-hunting team is now back inside the fence-protected city and they're training hard. Tom is teaching Benny, Nix, Lilah and Chong all the essential survival skills, as well as how to fight and protect themselves from zombie (and human) attacks. They might be back, but after everything that happened - everything they went trough - this place no longer feels like home. They know they need to leave. Soon. The plan is simple: go as far East as possible, in hope of finding the jet they all saw flying over their heads months ago. Sounds easy, but let's not forget, nothing is ever easy in the post-apocalyptic world of Rot & Ruin. Everything that could go wrong, will go wrong. So grab a cup of coffee, have a box of tissues handy and prepare yourself for yet another heart-stopping thrill ride. And believe me, it will be intense.
Wow. Just wow. No amount of rave reviews can do this book justice. It's a journey you ought to take; an unforgettable, soul-enriching experience. Jonathan Maberry did it again, he created yet another magnificent story. The depth and significance of it, the profound message it carries, the complexity of the world-and-character-building - it's simply breathtaking.
I loved the idea of zombies not being the main threat, not the most dangerous creatures out there. Just like Rot&Ruin, Dust&Decay raises some hugely important questions. It's one of those books that make you ponder many significant issues and reach your own conclusions. It's a delicious food for thought. And a chilling one at that!
If you haven't yet read Rot&Ruin and Dust&Decay, do yourself a favor and pick it up! Seriously. Like. Right. Now. You really won't regret it. Even if you hate zombies - or maybe ESPECIALLY if you do - give this book a try, you won't be disappointed.
“Walls, towns, rules, and day-to-day life doesn't make us civilized ... That's organization and ritual. Civilization lives in our hearts and heads or it doesn't exist at all.”
Dust & Decay picks up six months after the horrifying and gut-wrenching events in Rot&Ruin. A lot - if not everything - has changed. We have some great, new characters, but we've also lost some of the old ones. Our zombie-hunting team is now back inside the fence-protected city and they're training hard. Tom is teaching Benny, Nix, Lilah and Chong all the essential survival skills, as well as how to fight and protect themselves from zombie (and human) attacks. They might be back, but after everything that happened - everything they went trough - this place no longer feels like home. They know they need to leave. Soon. The plan is simple: go as far East as possible, in hope of finding the jet they all saw flying over their heads months ago. Sounds easy, but let's not forget, nothing is ever easy in the post-apocalyptic world of Rot & Ruin. Everything that could go wrong, will go wrong. So grab a cup of coffee, have a box of tissues handy and prepare yourself for yet another heart-stopping thrill ride. And believe me, it will be intense.
“...but it was death that changed. People are still people. Some good, some bad. Death changed, and we don't know what death really means anymore. Maybe that was the point. Maybe this is an object lesson about the arrogance of our assumptions. Hard to say. But the world? She didn't change. She healed. We stopped hurting her and she began to heal. You can see it all around. The whole world is a forest now. The air is fresher. More trees, more oxygen.”
Wow. Just wow. No amount of rave reviews can do this book justice. It's a journey you ought to take; an unforgettable, soul-enriching experience. Jonathan Maberry did it again, he created yet another magnificent story. The depth and significance of it, the profound message it carries, the complexity of the world-and-character-building - it's simply breathtaking.
I loved the idea of zombies not being the main threat, not the most dangerous creatures out there. Just like Rot&Ruin, Dust&Decay raises some hugely important questions. It's one of those books that make you ponder many significant issues and reach your own conclusions. It's a delicious food for thought. And a chilling one at that!
If you haven't yet read Rot&Ruin and Dust&Decay, do yourself a favor and pick it up! Seriously. Like. Right. Now. You really won't regret it. Even if you hate zombies - or maybe ESPECIALLY if you do - give this book a try, you won't be disappointed.
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Thanks to the fabulous
I have a copy of Rot&Ruin and Dust&Decay up for grabs!
To be eligible to win this the prize pack all you need to do is be a follower of my blog and enter through Rafflecopter below.
This giveaway is open to US only (Sorry Canadian and International Friends - publisher's request!)
Ends: December 20th
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This review is posted as a part of the MEN in YA event (Nov 20th - Dec 20th)
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About the AuthorEvie is the Blogger behind Bookish. She enjoys reading many different genres, especially YA, Paranormal, Contemporary Fiction and Fantasy.She loves talking to authors and is always happy to welcome them for interviews, and guest posts. She also likes spreading the love for awesome books and chatting with fellow book-worms.
You can find Evie here: Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Shelfari | The Library Thing
58 comments:
If you'd be a zombie hunter in Rot&Ruin what would be your weapon of choice?
A: I would probably use what Tom and Benny use when fighting or use throwing knifes, but if nothing was around I would use whatever would kill a zombie.
Thank you so much for this giveaway, I am so happy I am the first one to comment! *cross fingers* I am in LOVE with these two books and zombies so I am hoping to win.
I think I would use any weapon that would keep the zombies at a distance. Any type of weapon that can be thrown but deadly would work for me.
I'm glad to see that this one is even better than the first. I love when a series surprises by how amazing it gets with each successive book.
Thanks for entering ladies! :) Love your comments! :)
Omg now im dying to read this series, really! sounds soooo good. thanks! x
♥Ficbookreviews♥
I just finished reading an awesome zombie book, and I've been on the look out for more. Thanks for the fantastic review - will be adding this to my wishlist! =)
I have heard only great things about this series! I would love to get my hands on it! Thanks for the giveaway!
A: I have read many different zombie apocalypse-type books. Each has their own way of killing zombies, and since I've not read either of these books, I can't answer based on knowledge of how they kill zombies. I can however say that I would used whatever would keep them at the farthest distance from me!
Being that I am an avid gamer (Left 4 Dead FTW), my weapons of choice would be a sniper riffle and a shotgun. Long range weapons + short ranged weapons are always the best combos!!! Oh am maybe some kind of knife as well!!
Diayll
www.mothergamerwriter.com
I love it when a sequel is as awesome as the original.
For my weapon I would want a gun, but it would have to have a silencer on it! (And lots of ammo.) ;)
woo loved this post chick! I love your review style a whole lot and I just realized I never told you that :P But um...yeah...I know it's loud, I know it's cliche...but chainsaw's all the way baby :P
I am so excited to read Dust and Decay! I think I would want some type of knife, and I would want training to go with it!
If you'd be a zombie hunter in Rot&Ruin what would be your weapon of choice?
My weapon of choice is two fold a crossbow for the silent seaky kills and a parang if I had to get up close. But realistically whatever I could get my hands on to make them dead and me stay alive.
Thank you so very much for hosting this giveaway. I cant waitto read some of the other book reviews on this blog since I only found it today.
I guess I'd have to go with a big knife, like a machete. You never have to worry about running out of bullets or arrows or whatever if you have a knife. Not as good for long-range stuff though.
Thanks for the chance to win! I can't wait to read this book & I looove that cover!
I think my first choice would be a gun. The only problem would be running out of bullets. Then I would probably pick up a sword.
I had to skim the review because I haven't read the first book yet but, I'm super excited to see that you loved it more than the first.
Zombie hunter weapon of choice? Whatever I can shoot from a distance so I don't have to get close to them. Preferably a sniper rifle and/or bow and arrows.
You make this series sound awesome, can't wait to read. And to answer your question, I would be using a shot gun or something like it (keep the zombies as far away as possible!)
I've heard NOthing but awesome things about this series! I have book 1 on my reader that I plan to read/review for a zombie month we're planning in Feb. Can't wait! Awesome review I'm really looking forward to it even more now!
Giselle
Xpresso Reads
Oh my goodness, my weapon of choice? I'm going with Daryl on The Walking Dead and choosing the bow & arrow. My Dad uses one too. Between Daryl and my Dad, I think I could learn enough to knock out the big, bad zombies.
At least, I sure hope I could!!
Thanks for the giveaway Evie! Fun question! Can't wait to read this series. I loved Maberry's Dead of Night...
Mary DeBorde [M.A.D.]
What a wonderful giveaway!!! I've read Rot & Ruin but haven't had the pleasure to read Dust & Decay :)
To answer your question - I'd want a weapon that allowed for some distance between myself and the zombies, as I don't think I'd fare well fighting in close contact [unless I had some type of Taser-type gadget lol].
Well, let's go with a fire cannon/flame thrower etc. Anything that could put some respectable distance between me and the undead :D
I think I'd want a shotgun. I mean, come on, isn't a shotgun the ultimate zombie killer?
This book sounds really good! I've never heard of it and haven't read anything by Maberry before. I love finding new authors to read, so thanks for doing this review. And of course, thanks for letting us have the chance to win it!
If I was a zombie hunter in Rot & Ruin, my weapon of choice would be some type gun that shoots really far because I wouldn't want to get close to them. But it should be some type of bullet that explodes so that it blows them to pieces when it hits them. Wow, that's a little grusome I guess lol. As long as they don't get to me :)
Make BFF with a sniper.
If you'd be a zombie hunter in Rot&Ruin what would be your weapon of choice?
For me, I'd probably go with something like a machete. I almost picked the chainsaw, but no accounting for fuel.
Im gonna go with a shotgun. Those seems to blow the brains right out, dont they? :)
Thank you so much for this.
If i were a zombie hunter I would like to have a crossbow. I dont know why, it just sounds cool.
i loved Rot & Ruin and it sounds like Dust & Decay will be just as good.
If I were a zombie hunter I would love to use a sword.
Jennelle S
Well, I'd definitely have to use Vinyl Records (you know, like in Shaun of the Dead)... or throwing knives. Or just a gun. It totally depends on how you have to kill the zombies - hit to the head or decapitation.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Christa
I would have to say that your review is a bit amusing =) I liked it! I like it because it's just bursting with light heartedness and it's always great when a reader gets ecstatic about a book and it shows in their reviews!
I MIGHT give this a chance just coz you say it's that great, I have my doubts but I guess if it makes you love it that much there might be a good reason I should give it a try. The thought of a zombie infested world creeps the crap out of me *chills* I honestly would not know what to do and if I'd be sane. Here's to hoping lol I would choose a gun (Of course) a rifle please, I don't do too well with pistols and can I also have a pick axe... one for long range and one if I run out of bullets lol okay, Im done. I'm getting the creeps jus thinking about it. My imagination is getting away from me =D
Thank you for hosting this giveaway!!
GFC Follower: SpadesHighReads
Great review! I am new to the zombie genre, but my brothers assure me that shotguns are the most effective weapon. However, I think knives would be more fun. :)
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much for the giveaway!
I really want to read it now! I've heard of Dust&Decay a lot now, and it seems so awesome! I love the idea of zombies... I think they have gained popularity over the past year?
Oh, umm, if I had to fight off Zombie Invasions... That's be radical...I would totally used swords, any type of knives, and totally daggers!
"If you'd be a zombie hunter in Rot&Ruin what would be your weapon of choice?"
I would use a 9mm. handgun with a silencer attached to the barrel. Reasons for being able to shot down a zombie without being noticed. It's the one thing I never seen or read in regards to taking down a zombie.
To answer your question, I think I'd use a dagger. Make that two. Its more hand-to-hand than using a gun at a distance, but I've always liked that weapon for some weird reason :P
Thanks for the chance to win!!
I haven't read Rot & Ruin OR Dust & Decay, but I'm intrigued now.
Considering where I'm from, I'd use a shotgun to fight zombies. Very little need to aim, easy to reload and no need to go find it after the zombie is dead so that I can have my weapon back.
Oops, forgot to leave my Twitter username in the form. It's @bookishinabox.
This sounds like a great giveaway! And if I had to fight off zombies, I'd use a crossbow and a sword.
I haven't read Rot & Ruin but I seriously want to, since I love/hate zombies. I love the last quote you posted as well.
Hmm if I were a zombie hunter I'd probably have atleast one long range weapon and one short range. Probably something like a crossbow or gun (if bullets are not rare) and then a crowbar (something sturdy that won't break).
great review!!
great giveaway
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I've wanted to read these books forever! I have a weird fascination with zombies. Great review! Hmm...I think I'd use a banjo like in Zombieland. I figure at least that'd be entertaining, lol.
I love how zombies seem to be taking over and this book has been on my wishlist since I first read the blurb on it. So glad to see that you and others have enjoyed it so much.
If I was a zombie killer I'd want a very quick, agile motorbike to ride as I circled them and beheaded them with my sword.
Wow! I cannot wait to read Dust & Decay now. I loved Rot & Ruin, but if you liked the second book better then I'm pretty sure I will too.
Great review. I'm looking forward to reading this ASAP! :)
I didn't read your review because I just got Rot & Ruin from the library and I hate spoilers, but I've marked it to come back to after I finish the first book. It's a great sign that you enjoyed the sequel. Thank you for such a great giveaway!
As a zombie hunter, I think I would stick to the standard shotgun. A flame thrower would be awesome, but fuel for it might be harder to come by.
Leslie @ Working for the Mandroid
I read Rot & Ruin for my Spooktacular Books Challenge, and it was fantastic. From what I read in your review, what I loved about R&R is what I am going to love about Dust & Decay! The world Jonathan Maberry created is so engrossing, and your excitement just made me even more eager to read it.
Now, if I was a zombie hunter I'd probably love a good machete + a handgun. Use the handgun to capacitate then come with the machete and hack them dead! Of course I don't want to EVER have to do this! (To be honest, I probably wouldn't survive to become a Zombie Hunter...LOL)
Bow and arrow would brought be best for a quite attack but I would want a machine gun for large crowds.
Thanks so much for the review! I have Rot & Ruin but haven't read it yet and just reading your review wants me to start it now! Too bad I have some books that I borrowed that I need to finish first :(
I think that I would want a machete to fight off the zombies so that I can cut off their head! :)
I loved your review! I didn't read the book, but I've been meaning to for the longest time, and now I want to even more!
For a weapon, I'd probably choose a gun or bow.
Thanks so much for this giveaway! This post was great! And the answer to your question...I have no idea! I've only read zombie books where they ended up being good, so the bad guys only used guns to try to kill them. I'd say I'd use a bow and arrow, though, so I'd feel like Katniss in Hunger Games!
I have no idea, I haven't read the first one and don't know what they used that is effective in killing zombies. It would probably have to projectile though, I don't think I would like to get close to one.
I would probably have something that I could easily sling. Maybe something that would temporarily know them out. I could pick up a sword! I was going to say an axe but I'm too weak to carry one of those around. xD
Thanks for the giveaway!
Kara DiDomizio
This sounds like a really good book. As far as the quiestion, my answer isn't the best. I've only read one book where zombies were involved, and the main character was very "hands on" when it came to killing them... So, for lack of better knowledge as far as they are concerned, ANYTHING that would keep them at a distance.
Great review, I didn't realize they raised issues - I guess I just thought of them as zombie books. But I guess I should have know it would have dealt with issues, most post-apocalyptic books do. Now I am even more intrigued by these books and I wanted them before.
If I could have any weapon I would want it to be something that shoots and shoots at a distance, I don't want to have to get up close and personal. A shotgun or high powered rifle would be good. I can shoot too, hubby the deer hunter and avid shooter taught me. So maybe that will be a good skill to have as long as we have bullets if the zombies ever invade. ;)
the quotes were enough to convince me, but your raving was the cincture. this series seems to be a must read...
"If you'd be a zombie hunter in Rot&Ruin what would be your weapon of choice?"
an ax handle. effective head basher that won't get stuck in the muck. has other uses. no need for reloading. won't weight me down. adds to mobility
You said grab a tissue, so it's sad? Ugh I hate when I cry when reading. Well, I love it but I hate it!
I'd want some kind of machine gun with a ton of ammunition. Oh, and a sword for backup!
Ok no, actually my weapon of choice would be a big burly man to fight for me. I don't care if that strikes against the women's movement!
Oh from what I've seen reading and wacthing The Walking Dead, DONT USE A GUN! xD
I would probabily use my Green Latern ring to create every single weapon possible (i.e. A bomb that would scatter their bits to the other side of the Earth) and I will rule the world. Mwahahahaha. ;)
Great Review and thanks for the amazing giveaway!
I guess, since I haven't read the series, honestly, anything that would cut or OOOO a flamegun! okay, I don't wanna be a pyromaniac or whatever, but that'll definitely help...i think.
Thanks again!
Rabiah
Weapon of choice? Do I have to just pick one? I would use whatever it is I have handy, be it gun, fire, bow and arrow, axe - whatever it takes.
I just picked up Rot and Ruin on audio from the library - now I am even more excited to start it!
I love this series so much! And I love finding others who do too! :)
Awesome review.
Oh I would just be the happiest camper ever if I win this. I just finished Rot & Ruin about 2 weeks ago and I to have been gushing over it and telling everybody about it. Gave my copy to one of my daughters, she finished it and now we are both gushing about it and dying to get our hands on Dust and Decay. My other daughter is now reading it and also loving every minute of it. I can't say enough good things about this one. Your review is spot on...get this book if you haven't read it yet you won't be disappointed.
Now what weapon would I choose...It would have to be something that would get them at long range like a crossbow cause I am the biggest coward ever.
I must read this book. Reading your review, this book sounds really great, and the cover is awesome.
Thank u for the great review.
This is a great review. I love zombiw books. This book is going on my to be read pile.
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