5 stars

Wow, this is one of the best zombie novels I have ever read! This novel is great for readers 12 and up. There is the perfect balance of raw emotion and non-stop action.A book that runs in the same vein as Warm Bodies, Maberry dives in and shows what it is to be human. While most of the novel focuses on humans rather than zombies, it is still an excellent read.My only complaint was the theme of female characters in distress to help motivate male characters. A tired literary device, but at least the females held their own for the most part and had real personalities rather than being written as caricatures.The story is written so enough is explained, but some things are left undiscovered. It could be read as a standalone, but I for one cannot wait to continue the series. This is a truly wonderful book.