I absolutely adore all of Jonathan Maberry's Joe Ledger, Rot & Ruin and Dead of Night series. I love how they all connect and this latest book did not disappoint!

Broken Lands picks up where Maberry's Rot & Ruin series wrapped up. The world is still in a post apocalyptic state with a new outlook on a hopeful future following the zombie plague of 15 years before. This book introduces new characters as well as reuniting readers with old friends like Captain Joe Ledger and Benny Imura & Co, plus a couple special surprises. There are three ongoing stories that finally blend together and indicate the focus of the remaining books in the series.

Gabriella “Gutsy” Gomez has spent her days flying under the radar. But when her mother’s undead body is returned to her doorstep from the grave and Gutsy witnesses a pack of ravagers digging up Los Muertos—her mother’s name for the undead—she realizes that life finds you no matter how hard you try to hide from it.

Meanwhile, Benny Imura and his gang set out on a journey to finish what Captain Joe Ledger started: they’re going to find a cure. After what they went through in the Rot and Ruin, they think they’ve seen it all, but as they venture into new and unexplored territory, they soon learn that the zombies they fought before were nothing compared to what they’ll face in the wild beyond the peace and safety of their fortified town.

This book is amazingly adventurous and well written with fantastic characters and true, raw emotion.

Wow! Wow! Wow! I'm so happy to be back in the Rot & Ruin. Well, actually, I'm very glad I'm not actually there, but Broken Lands was such a welcome addition to the world that Maberry created in his Benny Imura (Rot & Ruin) series.

Gutsy is our main character. She lives in New Alamo, a very protected and seemingly thriving community, safe from the "Los Muertos" (her mother's name for the undead.) Her mother has just died from tuberculosis - yes, many of the old diseases have returned. And when Gutsy buries her in the Catholic tradition - tied up but not quieted--someone digs her up and brings her back to Gutsy's house. Who would do that?

Gutsy has a great group of friends, both young and old, that are helping her through her loss. But when Gutsy witnesses many of the dead being dug up, she realizes that all is not what it seems in New Alamo. The danger isn't just from the undead, there is danger within.

Meanwhile, Benny, Chong, Nix, and the others are safe (and a little bored) in Reclamation. The people have established contact with many other towns, including Asheville, North Carolina, where there is a huge settlement and the beginnings of a new government. When all contact is lost with Asheville and Joe Ledger's (who was on his way to Asheville) whereabouts are unknown, the teens decide they can't wait for the adults to do something. After all, Chung's medication comes from Asheville and without it, he succumbs to the virus. So they craft a daring plan to leave the safety of Reclamation and go in search of Joe Ledger.

It is fairly obvious that these two groups of kids are going to meet up. But the why and how isn't clear. And what about Joe? Well, there is a big surprise there too.

I loved the Rot & Ruin series. For some reason, these characters grabbed me from the start. The tension is palpable as they fight off both Zombies, bad guys, and everything nature can throw at them using an unusual and creative variety of methods. So, to have the story continue in Broken Lands is very satisfying. I'm "all in" and can't wait for the next installment--huge cliffhanger in this one, by the way.

Broken Lands is the start of a new series and could be read without reading the previous books. There is enough backstory given to help everything make sense. But...WHY would you not want to read Rot & Ruin first? I think Broken Lands will be much more enjoyable if you have the whole story. So, what are you waiting for? I can't recommend these books enough to horror lovers. Even horror likers. Maberry is exceptional.