The book covers a zombie invasion in the mountains of the California Bay Area. When a meteorite hits during a geological school trip, all hell breaks loose. One survivor unwittingly carries the virus down the mountain, which causes it to spread further. Character stories involving campers and a paintball competition weave in and out until the final five are making their planned escape back to civilization.
Different characters and storylines like skilled fighters, an empathetic mother, smart young boy, a rich jackass, etc. keep the novel interesting. What I really liked is a zombie attacking the latest protagonist suspiciously resembles someone described five chapters prior to that. This really shows how one person can affect the entire community and how rapidly the epidemic spreads. Plus, I like to get attached to my characters and would love to see them return…even in the form of a gut muncher.
There are a few zombie fan fun options explored here like: Would you climb a tree in the woods to hide? Would you barricade yourself in a small shed to fend them off? Would they follow you down a stream?
My favorites scenes are (possible spoilers ahead) when a wife hears weird noises from her husband and assumes he is masturbating next to her when he is really being eaten and a pothead who sees his zombie pal Dirty McShitty Pants “shart” (fart and black shit comes out). I laughed out loud at the latter incident.
The only problem had with the book is that at times it wasn’t detailed enough. For instance, Chapter 1 (where the virus is first spread) moves so quickly that you hardly have time to process it. It would have been nice to get to know those characters a bit better before they bit the dust. Also, the only survivor in this opening scene makes his hasty escape, but that could have been extended into its own chapter. The possibilities of this kid being alone in the woods, processing what just happened to his schoolmates, and pondering just where the hell he will go next could have been elaborated on. And his decision not climb a tree could have been debated in an entire page, not just two sentences.
I found the author to be very in tune with human emotions particularly the women. Mothers, wives, girlfriends were well depicted. An example would be a cheerleader who is described as “proud” instead the typical “slutty.” There is also reference to girls being shy about their under- or over-developed chest size.
This was like a zombie love letter to the Bay Area including memories of the 1989 earthquake. I can’t help but have a nagging suspicion that this book would have made a good, if not better, independent film. When I told Solis this, he mentioned that is was originally a screenplay, but wrote it as a novel since the film fell apart.
The ending to the novel is pretty much what you would expect from an apocalyptic tale and leads straight into the sequel Solis is writing now. That should be available next year.
Favorite Quote: Tony, “Do you think 30 is too old to be playing army?” Jack, “Who’s playing?”
Bottom Line: Pretty good zombie mini-epic saluting the Bay Area amenities with interweaving stories. For fans of Max Brooks’ World War Z, but on a smaller scale.
Rating: 7/10
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