The Rising

I’ve read some of Kenne’s stories from his zombie universe. And the thing I enjoyed most about these short tales from the end of the world was how surprisingly sweet each tale is. Just adoring moments from across a disaster, little brief snippets of life.

Twenty years ago I was managing a mall bookstore and a paperback copy of Brian Keene’s, The Rising showed up in the weekly order. Being a horror fan, I read it immediately and was blown away by the fact that the end of the world was going down in my back yard. I fired off an email to Brian thanking him for the apocalypse and he invited himself to do a book signing at my store.
The new addition to the Rising family is great. All of the horror, pathos and fun is still there. Thanks Brian!! I hope people buy this!

As always, Brian Keene is Goat.
Now that I've gotten that out of the way, this was fabulous as always.
The way I raced through this read was intense.
Stories from the end of the world and the horror that goes with it

Fantastic set of stories set in the world of City of the Dead and for a great cause. Each story is disgusting, horrifying, and absolutely wonderful. This zombie mythology still packs a punch and there are some truly nightmarish stories here. A great read!

I have been a fan of zombies for a long time- since the early 2000’s at least. I’m also a huge fan of reading (obviously lol).

Zombie books were so hard to find in the early 2000’s. Like nearly impossible. And then I stumbled across Brian Keene’s The Rising at the bookstore. It was an immediate purchase. And as soon as City of the Dead came out, I also bought it immediately. Same with Dead Sea.

Brian Keene was my introduction to zombie literature and I haven’t looked back.

I absolutely loved this collection of short stories from The Rising universe. One thing that’s always bothered me about most apocalypse/zombie books, is that it almost always focuses on one group. I want to hear about other survivors around the world. Not only does this book give a look at some of these other survivors, but we also get a peek at what comes after this wave, the Siqqusim (IYKYK). What I wouldn’t give for this series to continue with waves 2&3 (Elilum and Teraphim).

Favorites in this collection were Sophie’s Final Choice (the goodest girl), Plan D (🥺), Nemrotto (the goodest boy), Last Embrace Part 1 (creeped me out!) &2, and Watching It Burn. I was a fan of all the stories, but those are the ones that really stood out for me.

The artwork by Charlie Benante at the end was also incredible.

So glad I was given the chance to read this! Thank you to Bian Keene, Dead Sky Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the eARC.

I LOVED these short stories!

I have to say, I have a fascination with zombies in both movies & books but these zombies have to be the worst kind! Everyone/thing comes back with their memory. Which means they know how to shoot guns, and talk. Noooo thank you!

When I read the reason for these short stories, I was saddened I didn’t know about it. How cool would it be to be written in a short horror story?

Anyway, these stories made me want to read his book “Rising” from 2003! Highly recommend.

A nice quick read

I'm a huge horror fan and Brian Keene is one of the best people currently writing. This was a great collection of short stories; I loved every one of them. The artwork at the end was brilliant, too. People who love zombies will love these slices of life after the world ends. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

This short collection of short stories set in Brian Keene's The Rising universe was an excellent addition to the mythos. Designed as a fundraiser for a fellow author's pooch, it does not disappoint. My favorites of the collection were Waiting For Infinity (the one that got it all started), Body Talk, and the 2 part Curtain Call (spiders and cockroaches, oh my). Highly recommended.

Another great read from Brian Keene. These are all short short stories. Each was enjoyable, with great characters and stories. Always enjoy a new release from Brian Keene, #TheRising #NetGalley

I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of very short stories,each just long enough to care about the characters before they were brutally killed,

It ain’t happy, the end of the world. It’s not fun. Brian Keene knows this, and he shows it to us in The Rising: More Selected Scenes from the End of the World. While it’s not fun, Keene does show us that it can contain some true joy…even if that joy is dark.

In the introduction, Keene tells the reader that these stories are the result of a fundraiser to save a friend’s dog. Readers could pay and have their names placed in tales set in Keene’s world of The Rising, a zombie apocalypse even darker than those of popular settings such as The Walking Dead or The Last of Us. In this world, there is no ultimate survival, just the struggle to hang on as long as possible before giving in to the inevitable. We find out while reading that animals come back as demon-possessed zombies, too. Eventually, even the bugs and trees get in on the action. The reader would be forgiven for thinking that such a group of stories would be entirely too dark to enjoy, but Keene makes it work, up to a point.

Most of these stories end in death, of course. They function mostly as character studies, and good ones at that. Keene has some good insights into what makes people tick, and a decidedly macabre sense of humor that will make you laugh from time to time as you read, even if you kind of hate yourself for doing it. At least one of the stories contained within has a happier ending, with a zombie slayer finding a dog (and a reason to keep living). The occasional flashes of triumph keep the whole thing from being too depressing to look at.

In the end, humanity loses. We overreached in our haste to control the universe and brought on our own doom. It’s the oldest trope in zombie fiction, and it’s a strong one. Keene doesn’t try to do much new in this collection, but that’s mostly because of the fund-raising nature of the work. Probably not for new readers, but if you’ve read previous tales set in this world, it’s worth reading this one, too. Just don’t expect the ending of the book to be as happy as the result of the fundraiser (the friend’s dog LIVES!)

I read Brian Keene’s zombie books when I was a freshman in high school. They changed my life. I became known as “The Zombie Girl” among my classmates. Who, by the way, didn’t get it at all.

Since then I’ve watched a major zombie craze come and go. I remain loyal to the community though. And I reread The Rising and City of the Dead often.

I was tickled pink when I discovered the opportunity to read and review this next chapter early! I loved reading about Bear’s story which pulled at Brian’s heart strings and led to this book. It’s such a cool idea to be able to put yourself into the book. I’m too terrified by these clever corpses though.

Super cool to see more about the next phase in the apocalyptic world. Definitely check out if you loved The Rising books. Thank you to NetGalley, Brian Keene, Charlie Benante, Dead Sky Publishing and Death’s Head Press. I have written this review voluntarily!

Brian Keene is a prominent voice in contemporary horror, celebrated for his elaborate narratives and psychological depth. His novel The Rising revitalized the zombie genre with fresh perspectives and compelling characters.

Keene's writing examines fear through a human lens, praising its honesty and terror. His series, such as "The Last Zombie" and "Clickers," highlight his versatility in blending horror with more profound themes. Critics recognize his transformative impact on the genre, making Keene's works essential reading for horror enthusiasts seeking thrilling and thought-provoking experiences!

Book Review: The Rising: More Selected Scenes From the End of the World
by Brian Keene, illustrations by Charlie Benante

Brian Keene's return to the world of The Rising with More Selected Scenes From the End of the World is a triumph for both long-time fans and newcomers to the series. Twenty years after the original The Rising revitalized the zombie genre, this collection of stories provides a fresh look into the apocalyptic landscape that Keene is known for, while maintaining the edge that made the series so iconic. Paired with striking illustrations by Charlie Benante of Anthrax, the book adds a new layer of visual storytelling that enhances the grim atmosphere.

What sets this collection apart from the typical zombie trope is Keene's unique ability to blend visceral horror with deeply human elements, turning the undead apocalypse into a multi-dimensional narrative. The short stories are not only terrifying, but also explore themes of survival, loss, and moral ambiguity. Whether set before or after the events of previous books in the series, each story adds depth to the overarching universe, giving readers more insight into the chaotic, hellish world Keene has created.

As someone who usually avoids zombie fiction, I found myself thoroughly impressed. The stories drew me in, making me eager to explore more of Keene's work. Unlike many zombie narratives that can feel repetitive, The Rising series, especially this collection, keeps the genre fresh by combining horror with thoughtful character-driven plots.

Keene’s writing feels purposeful and evocative, and Benante’s illustrations complement the stories perfectly, enhancing the gritty, raw tone of the book. For fans of horror who appreciate strong storytelling and fresh takes on familiar themes, The Rising: More Selected Scenes From the End of the World is a must-read. It has earned its place among the best of the genre, and I highly recommend it—whether you’re a diehard fan of the series or new to Keene’s work, there’s something here for everyone.

In short: Zombies just got another upgrade.

This is horror I love. Creeping into you but still gives you some sweetness and hope. Recommend! I received a free eARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this opportunity.

I loved revisiting the Rising world. My fav story was about poor little Sadie. I’m always game for Keenes zombie world. And this one did NOT disappoint. It’s like crack; I want more and more and more.

While it was Stephen King books that started my love of horror books as a kid, it was authors like Brian Keene that reignited my love for both reading and horror. A friend in the horror book publishing world gifted me a Keene knowing my inclination toward fast zombies. The world of The Rising (of the Siqqusim) pulled me in and I never looked back. It’s a world filled with that tiny bit of hope in the face of moral corruption and inevitable despair.

“The Rising - More selected scenes from the end of the world” is a collection of short stories set in the world of The Rising. Here is what I didn’t know when I stumbled upon this on NetGalley…

🧟‍♀️ This collection came about in support of another author (Triana) whose dog (Bear) needed medical care. Each story stars the individual who purchased it (sometimes with their own pets) with all the funds going to Bears treatment. Pet love ❤️ x 100. Plus how freakin cool to open up a book by an author you love and see yourself set in the story!

It’s a short read of short stories, but I enjoyed them all. I like this world and I’m here for those little looks back into it. I wouldn’t start with this one, but if you read the others in the series and enjoy it, then add this on.

This was awesome! Short stories all set in the post apocalyptic zombie infested country. Some were hopeful, most were not (and I loved it).

3.5 stars rounded up for Bear.

The Rising: More Selected Scenes From the End of the World by Brian Keene is a collection of short stories set in the same universe as his famous "The Rising" series. Keene wrote these stories to help fund cancer treatment for Bear, a dear friend's dog. Each tale within stars the person who purchased an opportunity to try and survive the apocalypse or be brutally devoured by zombies.

This collection allows you to travel worldwide and witness how this apocalypse affects everyone differently. You witness love, loss, grief, survival, and many zombies.

I'll be honest in saying this is the first thing I've read by Keene, and maybe it wasn't the best choice. While I mostly enjoyed the stories, I couldn't stop thinking that I would appreciate them more if I had a better understanding of the universe. I kept wanting more, and I kept asking WHY. Needless to say, The Rising is now on my TBR list.