Synopsis:
Fifteen years ago the feeders rose from the shadows to transform the world into a graveyard. The few survivors exist in fortified settlements surrounded by the empty ruins of a destroyed civilization. For years the citizens of New City Redoubt have relied on an elite cadre of Crossers to navigate the feeder-infested wasteland between settlements in order to trade for vital supplies. But the Outside is becoming ever more dangerous, and the ranks of the Crossers grow thinner with every crossing.
Layla, only a child when the Feeding destroyed the old world, spends her days scavenging the ruins for valuable scrap and her nights helping her adoptive family eke a living from the Redoubt’s only movie theater. Now, with her father slowly dying, Layla resolves to join the Crossers to retrieve the medicine that can save him. Smart, ruthless, and fast on her feet, Layla quickly gains the respect of her fellow Crossers. But, in a world lost to the deadliest predators, can even the most cunning prey survive?
Review:
I’ve been itching for a good zombie-apocalypse book for a while, and I’m happy to say that this one hit the mark—and then some. It was exactly what I’ve been looking for.
It’s a harrowing story of survival against the odds, and one woman’s unwavering determination to save her dying father. It’s a very human story, made all the more poignant by the desolation of the setting.
One of the things I liked most was that it isn’t the typical “the outbreak is happening right now” story. No, it’s set a couple decades afterwards, and focuses on those who survived. There aren’t many, and their supply of things like medication are running short. There are other settlements where items can be traded and obtained, but of course, it’s not easy making the journey to get to them.
Another thing I liked was that the feeders weren’t the stereotypical, shambling zombies. They were all very fast, some were highly intelligent, and they all gave off very predatory vibes. They reminded me a lot of the creatures from I Am Legend in that respect (I’m not sure if that was an inspiration for this book, but there were some definite similarities.) And while the feeders are the most numerous threat beyond the city’s wall, they aren’t the only monsters out there.
The beginning half of the book set the stage for Layla’s Crossing, and while it wasn’t as fast-paced as the second half, I appreciated the work that went into building up the anticipation. I knew the Crossing was going to be dangerous for the team, but once it began, it was so much more than I could have predicted.
If you like zombie books, you won’t be disappointed by The Feeding.
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