REVIEW: Dead of Night: A Zombie Novel by Jonathan Maberry

Dead of Night by Jonathan Maberry
Publishing Information: Paperback; 369 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; 25 October 2011
ISBN 10: 031255219X
ISBN 13: 978-0312552190
Standalone
Copy: Provided by Publisher
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "A prison doctor injects a condemned serial killer with a formula designed to keep his consciousness awake while his body rots in the grave. But all drugs have unforeseen side-effects. Before he could be buried, the killer wakes up. Hungry. Infected. Contagious. This is the way the world ends. Not with a bang…but a bite."
As I write this review strange things are going on in Florida. Some are calling it "Zombie Summer" so, perhaps the things that take place in this novel will occur in reality as well.

Dead of Night is the latest zombie novel from the mind of Jonathan Maberry, it is a more "realistic" approach to how the infected terrorize the Earth. While the set up works, it isn't as entertaining as it could have been.

Dead of Night takes place in a sleepy little hallow that could be Anywhere, USA. When a murder is reported, the local sheriff's department comes out to investigate. Finding a grisly death, they begin to canvas the area and call in for back up. As the reinforcements arrive, the body disappears. That is all it takes to begin.

Over the coυrse of the book we meet many different characters, all are somewhat believable. The main character is not yoυr gυng-ho, gυn totting sυperman, bυt rather a strong-willed female character, which I enjoyed as a change of pace. Althoυgh Dez Fox can kick bυtt and take names when necessary, she is also someone yoυ can relate to becaυse she is damaged from her υpbringing and her toυr of dυty in the Middle East. Her partner, JT, is also someone yoυ can identify with. He was probably my favorite character as the story progressed. The real disappointing character is Fox's on again/off again boyfriend Billy Troυt. He is obvioυsly an impressive reporter, bυt he seems lost when it comes to actυally doing things of `ny worth. He was a real weak-link in the story.

The setting of the story takes place in Nowheresville. Combine that with a storm of the century scenario, and you have a slow zombie outbreak that is able to be "contained." While I realize you need something to slow down the disaster that is boiling over, the storm did not really help things as it made the story seem somewhat cliche.

I am a fan of Maberry's work. His Joe Ledger series is one of my favorites. That said, Dead of Night is not the best example of his work. He is a great storyteller, unfortunately, this is not one of his best. While a decent zombie novel, it is far from perfect. I cannot recommend the novel, nor can I tell you to avoid it. I am neutral on this one. It just did not have me staying up all night reading.

Plot 6/10
Characters 6/10
Style 6/10

Overall 6/10

REVIEW: Forever War by Joe Haldeman

Forever War by Joe Haldeman
Publishing Information: Kindle; 292 pages
Publisher: Ridan Publishing; 6 July 2011
ISBN 10: 0312536631
ISBN 13: 978-0312536633
ASIN: B005BVM9YI
Standalone
Copy: Out of Pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "The Earth's leaders have drawn a line in the interstellar sand--despite the fact that the fierce alien enemy they would oppose is inscrutable, unconquerable, and very far away. A reluctant conscript drafted into an elite Military unit, Private William Mandella has been propelled through space and time to fight in the distant thousand-year conflict; to perform his duties and do whatever it takes to survive the ordeal and return home. But "home" may be even more terrifying than battle, because, thanks to the time dilation caused by space travel, Mandella is aging months while the Earth he left behind is aging centuries...."

The Forever War has been on my must read list for quite some time. It one of those timeless classics that any science fiction reader should take the time to read. While not exactly a epic science fiction book, it does deal with some "hard science." For instance, the character doesn't age much with the aid of faster than light travel. As Mandella moves from conflict to conflict he rarely ages while the people he is fighting for back home age at a normal rate. I actually enjoyed this concept in the story and it did a great job of showing how segregated soldiers are from civilians. Their lives are different and just a small change such as this causes problems in a soldiers personal life.

Then there is Mandella himself. He is an ordinary man, certainly lucky, but an average Joe thrust into a situation greater than himself and he comes out both better and worse for his adventures. However, since this book was written after Haldeman's own experiences in the Vietnam war there is a much more negative look at war and its impact on those who fight in the trenches.

Forever War is a classic of that there is no denying. However, it is not the end all, be all that the book is usually touted as being. It is definitely worth checking out and forming your own opinion on, but if you are looking for the ultimate military sci-fi, you may have to dig deeper than this title. Recommended.

Plot 7.5/10
Characters 7/10
Style 7.5/10

Overall 7/10

REVIEW: Fuzzy Nation by John Scalzi

Fuzzy Nation by John Scalzi
Publishing Information: Kindle
Publisher: Tor; 10 May 2011
ISBN 10: 0765328542
ISBN 13: 978-0765328540
ASIN: B004OA63YO
Standalone
Copy: Out of pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis:""Jack Holloway works alone. Hundreds of miles from ZaraCorp’s headquarters on planet, 178 light-years from the corporation’s headquarters on Earth, Jack is content as an independent contractor. As for his past, that’s not up for discussion.

Then, in the wake of an accidental cliff collapse, Jack discovers a seam of unimaginably valuable jewels, to which he manages to lay legal claim just as ZaraCorp is cancelling their contract with him for his part in causing the collapse. Briefly in the catbird seat, legally speaking, Jack pressures ZaraCorp into recognizing his claim, and cuts them in as partners to help extract the wealth.

But there’s another wrinkle to ZaraCorp’s relationship with the planet Zarathustra. Their entire legal right to exploit the verdant Earth-like planet is based on being able to certify to the authorities on Earth that Zarathustra is home to no sentient species.

Then a small furry biped—trusting, appealing, and ridiculously cute—shows up at Jack’s outback home. Followed by its family. As it dawns on Jack that despite their stature, these are people, he begins to suspect that ZaraCorp’s claim to a planet’s worth of wealth is very flimsy indeed…and that ZaraCorp may stop at nothing to eliminate the “fuzzys” before their existence becomes more widely known."

There are very few authors that you can always count on to entertain you and also tell a darn good tale. John Scalzi is one of those authors. Fuzzy Nation was originally conceived by an author named H. Beam Piper in a three book series entitled Fuzzy. The first novel Little Fuzzy and its two sequels were the inspiration for Scalzi's novel. A side project that benefits fans of the author. While I have not read the original series and cannot comment on it, I am told that this story is as much similar to the original as it is different.

Fuzzy Nation tells the story of Jack Holloway is somewhat of a loner working as a speculator on the planet Zarathustra that is for all intents and purposes going to be stripped mined for its various precious elements. That is until a a little creature comes into his shed/house and changes his life and the status of the planet. As with all of Scalzi's work the story is infused with lots of humor and interesting situations. Which in the case of this novel, usually deal with either the Fuzzies or Holloway's dog. There are several other interesting characters and of a greedy corporation that is the pain in Holloway's side.

I think the reason I enjoyed the novel so much is that it is really paced well and the humor is in all of the right places. Add to the fact that the story is not far-fetched and you have a lovable group of aliens make for a great book. Holloway is also someone that you can sympathize with. Anyone who has read and enjoyed any of Scalzi's previous work will love this one as well.

Plot 9/10
Characters 9/10
Style 9/10

Overall 9/10