The New Dead and a Beautifully Rotting Collection of Tales: A Book Review

*A review copy of this title was provided by editor Christopher Golden.

Authors: John Connolly, David Liss, Stephen R. Bissette, Tim Lebbon, Kelley Armstrong, Holly Newstein, Brian Keene, Jonathan Maberry, M.B. Homler, Derek Nikitas, Mike Carey, Max Brooks, Aimee Bender, Rick Hautala, Tad Williams, James A. Moore, Joe R. Lansdale, David Wellington and Joe Hill.

The New Dead is a zombie anthology of nineteen stories. Christopher Golden is the editor of this fine text and there is really so much to gnaw on in this tome. Headline authors of this novel include Max Brooks (The Zombie Survival Guide), Briane Keene (The Rising), David Wellington (Monster Island), and New York Times Best Seller Tad Williams (Shadowmarch). Released February 16th, 2010, there are lots of missteps for die-hard Romero fans to criticize here for lack of zombies, but there are also a lot of stories therein that evoke strong emotions such as romance ("In the Dust") humour ("Life Sentence"), the heartfelt ("Family Business") and the thrilling ("Weaponized"). Each emotion draws the reader in differently, with these titles the stand-outs.

"In the Dust" by Tim Lebbon

"In the Dust" finds three zombie apocalyptic survivors struggling to live under military rule. They work for scientists in a walled off city and the authority's rule is ruthless. The shock comes early with direct gunfire aimed at one character, as confusion reigns in the latter passages. The writing dares you to get involved by asking readers to identify with the characters. Soon, you are feeling the romance in the air, as two vulnerable city-dwellers find distraction in each others' arms. The smell of hundreds of rotting corpses is not enough to dampen humankind's unending desire for love.

"Life Sentence" by Kelley Armstrong

"Life Sentence" is about that scheming emotion known as avarice, or greed. Each of us wants so much, while television advertising tells viewers that we need so much more. Along these lines, character Daniel Boyd's lust for life is insatiable. He uses his power and money to prolong his life, as cancer would have the opposite. There is some dark humour in how Daniel goes about his search for the cure to immortality. Voodoo priestesses are encountered, along with zombie painting con men. The ending is spine tingling, but most readers will love seeing the villain fall, in tragic fashion.

"Family Business" by Jonathan Maberry

The short story "Family Business" will draw readers in through feelings of compassion: "every last one of them [zombies] were family once." This story is slow to build to the conclusion and there is reason for the pacing. Author Jonathan Maberry is building his story to a dramatic heart-wrenching conclusion. Here, the reason for Tom's empathy with the undead is revealed, as being quite close to home. The final passages, with ask for your empathy, as well.

"Weaponized" by David Wellington

Most zombie thrillers end with a bang and that is the case with The New Dead, with help from David Wellington's "Weaponized." Max Brooks' earlier story in this anthology titled "Closure" involves warfare between man and zombie, on the Asian mainland. Writer David Wellington goes even farther. The cliche of military scientists inventing super soldiers is used once again. However, here they are used for a greater good, excitement! The American military use the undead to fight against insurgents in Syria and the insurgents are using zombies to similar effect/affect. The end result is a climactic zombie battle, that closes out The New Dead, with a startling flourish.

There are fifteen other stories to become invested in. Those listed above are a few of the best. If you are forgiving of the usual zombie formulas e.g. zombies exclusively en masse, then you will enjoy the creative spirit of The New Dead. Full of emotionally arousing text, The New Dead is an excellent addendum to your other zombie survival texts.

Overall: 7 out of 10 (some slowing down and speeding up near the final 1/3).

More reviews and information on this text are available at "The New Dead" homepage:

The New Dead Official Website

This novel is available through Amazon:



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Posted in: 2010,2011,book review,brian keene,christopher golden,max brooks,tad williams,the new dead,zombie,zombie anthology novel review,zombie apocalypse