DYING TO LIVE
by Kim Paffenroth
ISBN:
097897073X
reviewed by
Cellblock
07.10.07
Once again the age of apocalypse is upon
us and the fate of humanity’s last hope rests in the hands of a few. In this book Kim Paffenroth
takes us to a new level of Zombie mythos and human survival instincts.
Set in modern time suburbia, readers are
immediately attacked by moaning nightmares and vivid fight scenes. The human population is near extinct and the
zombie plague is overwhelming. That is
where the usual stops- and the fun begins. Resisting
the urge to cash in on the commercial vision of what a zombie is, the author
introduces vivid imagery and ideas into the story that create depth in
depravity. You know there is a zombie in that room, hell, you want one to be
there, but why is it a bloody baby?
There are certain things in horror that for some reason appear to be
sacrosanct, they are not, as this novella will exemplify.
Mr. Paffenroth
really did his homework on military tactics and weapons creating a believable
“what-if?” environment. Moral and social
issues that would hinder a fledgling community shadow each and every character
throughout their trials. How to survive
isn’t just fighting zombies anymore.
Uncomfortable truths are exposed about humanity and it’s predisposition
to do evil to others.
This story reads well from front to back
and the reader can readily associate with the characters and their flaws. The plot is relatively centralized; the rest
of the world is an unknown. Insular
settings like this are perfect for the scope and size of this incredible
novella. This book is a great read.