In the zombie-infested, post-apocalyptic America where Benny Imura lives, every teenager must find a job by the time they turn fifteen or get their rations cut in half. Benny doesn't want to apprentice as a zombie hunter with his boring older brother Tom, but he has no choice. He expects a tedious job whacking zoms for cash, but what he gets is a vocation that will teach him what it means to be human.
ROT AND RUIN
is a fabulous series. Jonathan Maberry has managed to write an
exceeding good story that is both action-packed and thoughtful. He
takes a very
different approach to the undead. One that I found very refreshing.
A Guy-friendly read.
Starts a little slowly but has a lot to offer. Recommended.
**all ratings from GoodReads
**all links to Amazon.com
(Benny Imura, #0.5)
FIRST NIGHT MEMORIES FREE
3.99 STARS from 337 GoodReaders
This
was a FREE
short story that I had a valid link to. It's probably still free but
you might have to look around for it. The story is about 13 pages long
and was put out as a PDF that you could read
with your browser. It's a great way to test whether the series is for
you --if you can find it.
(Benny Imura, #1)
ROT & RUIN4.13 avg rating — 19,216 ratings
The story begins with an introduction to Benny Imura, his brother, Tom, and the town of
Mountainside: a small enclosed community where survivors eek out a living in a post apocalyptic United States.
Benny,
who is soon to turn 15, has a tough decision to make. On his next
birthday he will have to take a job as an apprentice or face having
his rations cut in half. Problem is, Benny doesn't see anything he
wants to do.
The
obvious choice would be to follow in the footsteps of his brother, who
is a highly respected zombie killer. But that just doesn't seem
possible -- and this is where the book develops some depth. Benny and
Tom, you see, are frequently at loggerheads. Turns out that since they
lost their parents THAT Night, Benny has resented Tom for running away
and leaving their mother to die.
Well, you know how life is. Turns out the only thing that Benny's good for is zombie-killing, and thus he ends up apprenticing to his brother.
Reading Information:
Word Count: 111,009
Accelerated Reading level: 5.0 / points: 17.0
AR quiz: 139855
Lexile: HL780L
--sample pages available
(Benny Imura, #1.5)
IN THE LAND OF THE DEAD
4.06 avg rating — 300 ratings
These short stories fall between Rot & Ruin and Dust & Decay.
(Benny Imura, #2)
DUST & DECAY4.32 avg rating — 9,724 ratings
In
this book, Benny and Tom are working on a new, better relationship.
And Tom trains his brother and his friends, only to have them go in
search of the plane they saw in Rot & Ruin.
Word Count: 115,900
Page Count: 544
Accelerated Reader: 5.1 / points: 18.0
AR quiz: 146281
Lexile: 770L
(Benny Imura, #2.5)
DEAD & GONE
4.21 avg rating — 489 ratings
This
is a novella that introduces us to a new character named Riot (formerly
Sister Margaret). Riot was part of a group of zealots. That is, until
she runs away. After that the church decides they need her back.
--amazon
--amazon
(Benny Imura, #3)
FLESH & BONE
4.22 avg rating — 5,900 ratings
There
are new monsters! There's the Night Church, who are making their way across the country, killing
everyone who doesn’t join them. And there are new and evolving Zombs.
Word Count: 102,314
Page Count: 480
Accelerated Reader: 5.2 / points: 16.0
AR quiz: 154944
Lexile: 750L
(Benny Imura, #3.5)
TOOTH & NAIL: A Rot & Ruin Story
4.29 avg rating — 251 ratings
Benny and the gang reach Sanctuary, but it's not what they expected. What's cool about this story for fans of Maberry are that Joe Ledger (Patient Zero, Extinction Machine) and Iron Mike Sweeney (The Pine Deep Trilogy) pop in for some cameo shots.
--amazon
--amazon
(Benny Imura, #4)
4.40 avg rating — 2,901 ratings
Benny Imura and his friends have made it to Sanctuary but their problems don't end.
Word Count: 114,607
Page Count: 544
Accelerated Reader: 5.4 / points: 18.0
AR quiz: 160843
Lexile: 770L
compiled by Pam
updated December 2014
You might also be interested in: #1
