Rot & Ruin: Warrior Smart

Gr 9 Up—Set in the world of the author's "Rot & Ruin" series (S. & S.), this addictive graphic novel follows four teenagers as they attempt to trace the trail of an aircraft, an impossible sight in the sky of this zombie-riddled world. A hip new take on an old genre, this work features sharp dialogue, martial arts philosophy and fighting, sticky moral predicaments, and a refreshing diversity of characters. As Benny, Nix, Chong, and Lilah, make their way across the zombie minefields of the west coast, they encounter some truly disturbing situations in which they must make difficult decisions about what is best for them, as well as the floundering human race: Is it better to live unprotected but free, or to repopulate the Earth but live in bondage? Although it is strong enough to be a stand-alone, it might leave readers who have never read the original novel feeling like they are missing some key plot points and character background. However, Maberry's writing is clever and funny, his characters are compelling, and their relationships are fraught with tension and full of emotion. Vargas's crisp and haunting illustrations entice readers into the story and refuse to let go.