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Broken Lands #2
Lost Roads
Gutsy Gomez’s danger-filled journey to save those infected with the zombie plague continues in New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Maberry’s terrifying follow-up to Broken Lands.
Gabriella “Gusty” Gomez lost her mother, and now she’s losing her home.
Gutsy and her friends, along with Benny and his crew, have just survived a massive attack on New Alamo by the Night Army—a mix of mindless shambling los muertos and sentient half-zombie ravagers. She’s also reeling from the revelation that the residents of her town were the lab rats of the biological testing facility linked to creating the most dangerous zom, the Raggedy Man, who controls all of the living dead.
And the first raid was only a test. The real Night Army is coming, and this time, it’ll be a handful of survivors against seven billion zombies.
Gabriella “Gusty” Gomez lost her mother, and now she’s losing her home.
Gutsy and her friends, along with Benny and his crew, have just survived a massive attack on New Alamo by the Night Army—a mix of mindless shambling los muertos and sentient half-zombie ravagers. She’s also reeling from the revelation that the residents of her town were the lab rats of the biological testing facility linked to creating the most dangerous zom, the Raggedy Man, who controls all of the living dead.
And the first raid was only a test. The real Night Army is coming, and this time, it’ll be a handful of survivors against seven billion zombies.
448 pages, Hardcover
First published November 3, 2020
About the author
Jonathan Maberry
480 books7,460 followersJONATHAN MABERRY is a New York Times best-seller and Audible #1 bestseller, five-time Bram Stoker Award-winner, anthology editor, comic book writer, executive producer, magazine feature writer, playwright, and writing teacher/lecturer. He is the editor of WEIRD TALES Magazine and president of the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers. He is the recipient of the Inkpot Award, three Scribe Awards, and was named one of the Today’s Top Ten Horror Writers. His books have been sold to more than thirty countries. He writes in several genres including thriller, horror, science fiction, epic fantasy, and mystery; and he writes for adults, middle grade, and young adult.
Jonathan is the creator, editor and co-author of V-WARS, a shared-world vampire anthology from IDW Publishing that was adapted into a NETFLIX series starring Ian Somerhalder (LOST, VAMPIRE DIARIES).
His young adult fiction includes ROT & RUIN (2011; was named in Booklist’s Ten Best Horror Novels for Young Adults, an American Library Association Top Pick, a Bram Stoker and Pennsylvania Keystone to Reading winner; winner of several state Teen Book Awards including the Cricket, Nutmeg and MASL; winner of the Cybils Award, the Eva Perry Mock Printz medal, Dead Letter Best Novel Award, and four Melinda Awards); DUST & DECAY (winner of the 2011 Bram Stoker Award; FLESH & BONE (winner of the Bram Stoker Award; 2012; and FIRE & ASH (August 2013). BROKEN LANDS, the first of a new spin-off series, debuted in 2018 and was followed by LOST ROADS in fall 2020. ROT & RUIN is in development for film by ALCON ENTERTAINMENT and was adapted as a WEBTOON (a serialized comic formatted for cell phones), becoming their #1 horror comic.
His novels include the enormously popular Joe Ledger series from St. Martin’s Griffin (PATIENT ZERO, 2009, winner of the Black Quill and a Bram Stoker Award finalist for Best Novel) and eleven other volumes, most recently RELENTLESS. His middle grade novel, THE NIGHTSIDERS BOOK 1: THE ORPHAN ARMY (Simon & Schuster) was named one the 100 Best Books for Children 2015. His standalone novels include MARS ONE, GLIMPSE, INK, GHOSTWALKERS (based on the DEADLANDS role-playing game), X-FILES ORIGINS: DEVIL’S ADVOCATE, and THE WOLFMAN --winner of the Scribe Award for Best Movie Adaptation
His horror novels include The Pine Deep Trilogy from Pinnacle Books (GHOST ROAD BLUES, 2006, winner of the Bram Stoker Award for Best First Novel and named one of the 25 Best Horror Novels of the New Millennium; DEAD MAN’S SONG, 2007; and BAD MOON RISING, 2008; as well as DEAD OF NIGHT, and its sequels, FALL OF NIGHT, DARK OF NIGHT, and STILL OF NIGHT.
His epic fantasy series, KAGEN THE DAMNED debuts in May 2022. And he just signed to co-author (with Weston Ochse) a new series of military science fiction novels that launches the SLEEPERS series. Jonathan will also be launching a new series of science fiction horror novels for the newly established Weird Tales Presents imprint of Blackstone Publishing.
He is also the editor of three THE X-FILES anthologies; the dark fantasy anthology series, OUT OF TUNE; SCARY OUT THERE, an anthology of horror for teens; and the anthologies ALIENS: BUG HUNT, NIGHTS OF THE LIVING DEAD (with George Romero), JOE LEDGER UNSTOPPABLE (with Bryan Thomas Schmidt); two volumes of mysteries: ALTERNATE SHERLOCKS and THE GAME’S AFOOT (with Michael Ventrella); and ALIENS V PREDATOR: ULTIMATE PREY (with Bryan Thomas Schmidt). He is also the editor of DON’T TURN OUT THE LIGHTS, the official tribute to SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK. His next anthology will be ALIENS VS PREDATOR: ULTIMATE PREY (with Bryan Thomas Schmidt), debuting in spring 2022.
Jonathan was an expert on the History Channel documentary series, ZOMBIES: A Living History and TRUE MONSTERS. And he was participated in the commentary track for NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD: REANIMATED.
His many nonfiction works include VAMPIRE UNIVERSE (Citadel Press, 2006); THE CRYPTOPED
Jonathan is the creator, editor and co-author of V-WARS, a shared-world vampire anthology from IDW Publishing that was adapted into a NETFLIX series starring Ian Somerhalder (LOST, VAMPIRE DIARIES).
His young adult fiction includes ROT & RUIN (2011; was named in Booklist’s Ten Best Horror Novels for Young Adults, an American Library Association Top Pick, a Bram Stoker and Pennsylvania Keystone to Reading winner; winner of several state Teen Book Awards including the Cricket, Nutmeg and MASL; winner of the Cybils Award, the Eva Perry Mock Printz medal, Dead Letter Best Novel Award, and four Melinda Awards); DUST & DECAY (winner of the 2011 Bram Stoker Award; FLESH & BONE (winner of the Bram Stoker Award; 2012; and FIRE & ASH (August 2013). BROKEN LANDS, the first of a new spin-off series, debuted in 2018 and was followed by LOST ROADS in fall 2020. ROT & RUIN is in development for film by ALCON ENTERTAINMENT and was adapted as a WEBTOON (a serialized comic formatted for cell phones), becoming their #1 horror comic.
His novels include the enormously popular Joe Ledger series from St. Martin’s Griffin (PATIENT ZERO, 2009, winner of the Black Quill and a Bram Stoker Award finalist for Best Novel) and eleven other volumes, most recently RELENTLESS. His middle grade novel, THE NIGHTSIDERS BOOK 1: THE ORPHAN ARMY (Simon & Schuster) was named one the 100 Best Books for Children 2015. His standalone novels include MARS ONE, GLIMPSE, INK, GHOSTWALKERS (based on the DEADLANDS role-playing game), X-FILES ORIGINS: DEVIL’S ADVOCATE, and THE WOLFMAN --winner of the Scribe Award for Best Movie Adaptation
His horror novels include The Pine Deep Trilogy from Pinnacle Books (GHOST ROAD BLUES, 2006, winner of the Bram Stoker Award for Best First Novel and named one of the 25 Best Horror Novels of the New Millennium; DEAD MAN’S SONG, 2007; and BAD MOON RISING, 2008; as well as DEAD OF NIGHT, and its sequels, FALL OF NIGHT, DARK OF NIGHT, and STILL OF NIGHT.
His epic fantasy series, KAGEN THE DAMNED debuts in May 2022. And he just signed to co-author (with Weston Ochse) a new series of military science fiction novels that launches the SLEEPERS series. Jonathan will also be launching a new series of science fiction horror novels for the newly established Weird Tales Presents imprint of Blackstone Publishing.
He is also the editor of three THE X-FILES anthologies; the dark fantasy anthology series, OUT OF TUNE; SCARY OUT THERE, an anthology of horror for teens; and the anthologies ALIENS: BUG HUNT, NIGHTS OF THE LIVING DEAD (with George Romero), JOE LEDGER UNSTOPPABLE (with Bryan Thomas Schmidt); two volumes of mysteries: ALTERNATE SHERLOCKS and THE GAME’S AFOOT (with Michael Ventrella); and ALIENS V PREDATOR: ULTIMATE PREY (with Bryan Thomas Schmidt). He is also the editor of DON’T TURN OUT THE LIGHTS, the official tribute to SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK. His next anthology will be ALIENS VS PREDATOR: ULTIMATE PREY (with Bryan Thomas Schmidt), debuting in spring 2022.
Jonathan was an expert on the History Channel documentary series, ZOMBIES: A Living History and TRUE MONSTERS. And he was participated in the commentary track for NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD: REANIMATED.
His many nonfiction works include VAMPIRE UNIVERSE (Citadel Press, 2006); THE CRYPTOPED
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
May 16, 2021
Well that was a cracker sequel!
Jonathan really has a talent for writing incredibly engaging characters! This book had quite a full cast and some flashbacks thrown in so I did say 'wait what?' a couple of times. The zombie virus mutations and new species developments also had me rereading a few bits. However, what an edge of your seat thrilling zombie war book! The action scenes were so vividly written that I could almost see everything unfolding! Thoroughly enjoyable!
Jonathan really has a talent for writing incredibly engaging characters! This book had quite a full cast and some flashbacks thrown in so I did say 'wait what?' a couple of times. The zombie virus mutations and new species developments also had me rereading a few bits. However, what an edge of your seat thrilling zombie war book! The action scenes were so vividly written that I could almost see everything unfolding! Thoroughly enjoyable!
November 24, 2020
I’ve been such a huge fan of Jonathan Maberry’s Benny Imura series for years. In fact, his Rot & Ruin series were the very first zombie books I’d ever read and is what started me on my love of the genre. Who knew?! I’d stayed so far away from anything zombie related until then.
Thanks Jonathan for writing characters that I absolutely adore. And I still hate you for the heartbreaks along the way. (Just kidding. It’s a love/hate relationship.)
Lost Roads is the end of the road for the characters I love so much that appeared in two of Maberry’s series; Benny Imura, Nix, Chong, Lilah, Riot, Morgie, and now in this new series - Gutsy, Spider, and Alethia. Or is it really the end of the road? Maybe Maberry has something up his sleeve... But if not, this book was a very satisfying ending to this aspect of the post-apocalyptic world created by Maberry.
Also appearing in both series is Joe Ledger and Sam Imura. Both of these characters are in Maberry’s extremely popular Joe Ledger series. I have a feeling there’s more to come for Joe and Sam.
I listened to Ray Porter perform both books in the Broken Lands series. I now have a Ray Porter hangover. He’s just so brilliant.
I highly recommend these books if you enjoy the zombie or apocalypse genres, even if this particular series is YA and you don’t read YA. If nothing else, just do it for more Joe Ledger.
Thanks Jonathan for writing characters that I absolutely adore. And I still hate you for the heartbreaks along the way. (Just kidding. It’s a love/hate relationship.)
Lost Roads is the end of the road for the characters I love so much that appeared in two of Maberry’s series; Benny Imura, Nix, Chong, Lilah, Riot, Morgie, and now in this new series - Gutsy, Spider, and Alethia. Or is it really the end of the road? Maybe Maberry has something up his sleeve... But if not, this book was a very satisfying ending to this aspect of the post-apocalyptic world created by Maberry.
Also appearing in both series is Joe Ledger and Sam Imura. Both of these characters are in Maberry’s extremely popular Joe Ledger series. I have a feeling there’s more to come for Joe and Sam.
I listened to Ray Porter perform both books in the Broken Lands series. I now have a Ray Porter hangover. He’s just so brilliant.
I highly recommend these books if you enjoy the zombie or apocalypse genres, even if this particular series is YA and you don’t read YA. If nothing else, just do it for more Joe Ledger.
November 17, 2020
The Lost Roads was a worthwhile sequel.
November 10, 2020
Most of this one was everyone moving from one disaster to another taking big hits along the way. Towards the end things got so bad that the only ideas left were ones where people might not survive, but if they didn't do anything they were dead, so why not. Then right at the end things finally turned in their favor. The aftermath was brutal though, so many good friends were lost along the way it was hard for some of them to have a will to live, but in this world that is all a person can do, live.
May 24, 2021
Another fantastic novel in the Broken Lands series, with all your old friends making an appearance here within.
Ray Porter is again the narrator for the audiobook version of this novel, and as usual, he is superb. I adore his voice characterizations so much! Thank you Mr. Porter, and may you be able to continue your work for many years to come.
I really enjoyed this series a great deal. I hope you do, as well.
Ray Porter is again the narrator for the audiobook version of this novel, and as usual, he is superb. I adore his voice characterizations so much! Thank you Mr. Porter, and may you be able to continue your work for many years to come.
I really enjoyed this series a great deal. I hope you do, as well.
November 13, 2020
This series involves some of my favorite characters I've ever read. This is a fitting conclusion to the first book, but is it the end? The world of Benny Imura, the Rot and Ruin, the Broken Lands - it's still full of billions of zombies, so there's plenty of opportunity for Maberry to do more with this world. Honestly it's worth going back and re-reading the whole Rot and Ruin series just to be with these characters again.
Maberry is an expert at creating really bad villains. While this one was ominous, it was pretty much a foregone conclusion that Joe Ledger would have something to do with his demise. I had hoped we'd get some closure on Joe's life since First Night, but no. The fate of his family remains a mystery. There's a lot of tragedy at the end of this book and some of it broke my heart. But Benny, Gutsy and friends save their little corner of the world as we expected they would. It was fun getting to know Gutsy a little better in this book, with her problem-solving abilities shining through. Other relationships between characters got deeper and more complex. Overall, this was a fitting end to a brilliant series.
And nobody but Ray Porter could have narrated better.
Maberry is an expert at creating really bad villains. While this one was ominous, it was pretty much a foregone conclusion that Joe Ledger would have something to do with his demise. I had hoped we'd get some closure on Joe's life since First Night, but no. The fate of his family remains a mystery. There's a lot of tragedy at the end of this book and some of it broke my heart. But Benny, Gutsy and friends save their little corner of the world as we expected they would. It was fun getting to know Gutsy a little better in this book, with her problem-solving abilities shining through. Other relationships between characters got deeper and more complex. Overall, this was a fitting end to a brilliant series.
And nobody but Ray Porter could have narrated better.
January 5, 2021
I really like the original rot and ruin series but this whole broken land series has taken a nose dive. The author started multiple plot lines in the first book that he completely abandoned or rushed in the book. I hated how the author played the whole mix part on the heroine making her only switch to speaking Spanish when she says one word every couple of chapters but not displaying that language even though New Alamo takes place in Texas and you would expect more Spanish speaking people. The author did leave the door open for characters to come back hopefully if he writes more books in this world they are better.
May 18, 2022
Overall Rating : B+
That son of a bi*ch Maberry better watch his back after ending this series the way he did. I mean, I knew going in it would be bittersweet but come on! 😭
That son of a bi*ch Maberry better watch his back after ending this series the way he did. I mean, I knew going in it would be bittersweet but come on! 😭
July 24, 2021
I really liked this sequel to Broken Lands. Gutsy, Spider, and Alethea are very interesting characters, and I enjoyed their development. The evolution of the zombie plague and mutations is excellent and intricate. The ending is left open, so I'm very curious what will happen next.
May 16, 2022
Логичното продължение на Broken Lands, те даже двете са си една книга, което обяснява отворения финал на предходната.
Тук всичко по което мрънках в предния том си дойде на мястото:
- Отделянето на Морги и Райът от общата група даде поле за развитие на героите, особено Морги.
- Връзката между Нощната армия и Нощната църква излезе съвсем наяве.
- Мабери отделя Джо и Сам Имура от децата и им дава възможност да се изявят.
- Гътси отново доминира над цялата книга, но успяваме да развием симпатии и към Спайдър и Алатейя
- По някое време Никс и Лила излизат от голямата касапница и отварят още място за новите герои.
Освен това авторът отново изобщо не щади героите си, а им сипва кофа след кофа… кхм. Дори затрива доста от тях, доста нетипично за юношеска поредица, но това никога не му е било проблем на Мабери (освен в Пайн Дийп трилогията, но онова са първи стъпки).
Книгата започва веднага след края на следващата. Ню Аламо тъкмо е спечелило битката с новия тип зомбита, но още преди да приберат труповете става ясно, че войната тепърва предстои и градчето е на пътя на огромна орда, предвождана от самия нулев пациент на заразата. Гътси ще открие какво точно стои зад тайната лаборатория до градчето и дали тази нова заплаха не е и начин да оцелеят. Райът и Морги продължават опасния си път към Ашвил. Никс и Лила се връщат обратно към вкъщи за лекарствата на Чонг, защото глупакът успя да си изгуби запасите. Джо и Сам ще се отправят към втората лаборатория, за да я превърнат в резервна база. Това оставя Бен, Гътси и нейните приятели да бранят и евентуално да евакуират Ню Аламо (признайте си, с това име няма как да оцелее), защото много малка част от възрастните там се държат адекватно. Нощната армия обаче е успяла да внедри агенти зад стените, което няма да доведе до нищо добро, при положение, че близо милион зомбита се тътрят към стените на градчето.
Тук всичко по което мрънках в предния том си дойде на мястото:
- Отделянето на Морги и Райът от общата група даде поле за развитие на героите, особено Морги.
- Връзката между Нощната армия и Нощната църква излезе съвсем наяве.
- Мабери отделя Джо и Сам Имура от децата и им дава възможност да се изявят.
- Гътси отново доминира над цялата книга, но успяваме да развием симпатии и към Спайдър и Алатейя
- По някое време Никс и Лила излизат от голямата касапница и отварят още място за новите герои.
Освен това авторът отново изобщо не щади героите си, а им сипва кофа след кофа… кхм. Дори затрива доста от тях, доста нетипично за юношеска поредица, но това никога не му е било проблем на Мабери (освен в Пайн Дийп трилогията, но онова са първи стъпки).
Книгата започва веднага след края на следващата. Ню Аламо тъкмо е спечелило битката с новия тип зомбита, но още преди да приберат труповете става ясно, че войната тепърва предстои и градчето е на пътя на огромна орда, предвождана от самия нулев пациент на заразата. Гътси ще открие какво точно стои зад тайната лаборатория до градчето и дали тази нова заплаха не е и начин да оцелеят. Райът и Морги продължават опасния си път към Ашвил. Никс и Лила се връщат обратно към вкъщи за лекарствата на Чонг, защото глупакът успя да си изгуби запасите. Джо и Сам ще се отправят към втората лаборатория, за да я превърнат в резервна база. Това оставя Бен, Гътси и нейните приятели да бранят и евентуално да евакуират Ню Аламо (признайте си, с това име няма как да оцелее), защото много малка част от възрастните там се държат адекватно. Нощната армия обаче е успяла да внедри агенти зад стените, което няма да доведе до нищо добро, при положение, че близо милион зомбита се тътрят към стените на градчето.
October 21, 2022
I decided to rate the book Lost Roads by Jonathan Maberry four stars because it was a very good book and I enjoyed reading it. The book is set in a world that has been ravaged by war. A plague is spreading making monsters known as the living dead during this time, the story follows the town of New Alamo as they continue to protect and prepare the town from an inevitable attack by the Raggedy man and his group of living dead. I discovered this book when doing a book speed dating at my library. I decided to try the book out because it was marked in the horror genre. I had never really read anything in this genre and wanted to try it out. What I really liked about this book was when in the beginning the town is attacked by a small force of the living dead. When this happens you meet a good amount of the more important characters and they all partake in a deadly and important battle. I really liked this because it started the book of in an intense and very interesting battle. The book was not slow in the begging and was quick to get in to the action. This contributed to my rating of four stars because I was able to enjoy the book early and it kept me reading day to day. I also liked when the group of teenagers that are the main characters made a huge plan to protect the town, get medicine for the infected civilians and find more weapons. When this happens the group goes through all the possible situations. They then split up to accomplish their tasks, the book switches back and forth between the groups and keeps you informed on their progress. I liked this part because it was not just focused on one character and kept me reading and enjoying the book. This also contributed to my ratting. This book teaches the reader about how teamwork and planning to accomplish goals is very important to the plot and keeps you reading. I would read another book by this author because the book was filled with action and never really got boring. This kept me reading and enjoying every minute of the book. If you like an action backed book in a world where people are on their own then you would enjoy this book just as much as I did. It does not contain much Horror at all and is a great book.
January 12, 2023
“Lost Roads” by Jonathan Maberry is the second book in the Broken Lands series, the second book still focuses mainly on gutsy who is a survivor of the zombie apocalypse. This book continues the story that develops in the first book. I feel this book is only worthy of 4 out of 5 stars, mainly because of just how short and deserved the ending is. Without spoiling it the book ends with what could have been another book or new series, but it just didn’t seem to fit. What this book does well on the other hand can be seen throughout, the story develops well but not very clearly in some spots. There were a lot of twists and turns that really spice up the book but I felt the “main” plot twist could be seen from a mile away. The characters that are semi-introduced in this book have backstories that you would only know from reading rot and ruin, and they aren’t really explained that well which does add mystery to the plot but can also make it confusing. I recommend reading this straight after the first book because this book keeps the story trucking right along and just feels like the true second half of the first book. This story didn’t just feel like the add-on story the author made for money and because of how popular their book got, it was actually fleshed out and felt like the second half. The writing is still amazing and goes along with the story, and adding things to the regular zombie plague really makes this book stand out and memorable.
December 26, 2020
Jonathan Maberry is an amazing author, and my 3-star rating here has nothing to do with the quality of the actual writing. The man has a way with words, and he knows how to manipulate language. My three star rating comes from the fact that after reading the Rot & Ruin series and about half of the Joe Ledger series, this book felt like the same-old, same old. Yes, the zombies are coming. Yes, they're going to destroy the town. Yes, we're all going to die unless we come up with a plan that seems like it will never work. And on and on we go. Truthfully, I skimmed through the middle of the book, and I didn't feel like I missed anything. Maberry's focus on the town of Los Alamos for the latter half of the story got a little old, especially considering there were other characters who'd gone out on special missions who didn't show up again until the very end and the epilogue. And, wrapping it up with a long epilogue? Ugh...pet peeve of mine. Another pet peeve? Pandering to the masses with a gay relationship. So predicable at this point.
All in all, fans of the series will want to read this book because it wraps up the Broken Lands series and to some extent, Rot & Ruin. However, Maberry left the door wide open to continue on with these characters, so I wouldn't be surprised if another book showed up at some point. As much as I loved the Rot & Ruin series (and I do mean LOVED), the Broken Lands series never captured my imagination to the same extent. I think it was hard to keep the same amount of excitement, tension, and "newness" going after all the excellent storytelling of the Rot & Ruin series.
I'd love to see Maberry apply his excellent writing skills to a new series that's not zombies. If he could capture the Rot & Ruin "magic" with something new, I'd be a happy camper. For me, personally, Broken Lands wasn't it.
All in all, fans of the series will want to read this book because it wraps up the Broken Lands series and to some extent, Rot & Ruin. However, Maberry left the door wide open to continue on with these characters, so I wouldn't be surprised if another book showed up at some point. As much as I loved the Rot & Ruin series (and I do mean LOVED), the Broken Lands series never captured my imagination to the same extent. I think it was hard to keep the same amount of excitement, tension, and "newness" going after all the excellent storytelling of the Rot & Ruin series.
I'd love to see Maberry apply his excellent writing skills to a new series that's not zombies. If he could capture the Rot & Ruin "magic" with something new, I'd be a happy camper. For me, personally, Broken Lands wasn't it.
February 22, 2021
This is my favourite series ever and this book did not disappoint, the ending battle was unbelievable. Gutsy and Benny are amazing characters and follow awesome story lines. I loved that there was lots of different stories of different characters happening at the same time and they all came together. Awesome book! I just learnt that this all started with the Joe Ledger series and I cannot wait to read them.
February 2, 2024
Absolutely loved this book. I didn’t want it to end, and I knew I was zipping through this book way too fast but it was such a page turner for me! Excellent book and I hope there is more to come.
November 16, 2020
Strengths:
• Rot and Ruin Backdrop
• Deals with contemporary issues
• Amazing female heroine
Full Review
I have read every single one of the Rot and Ruin series. If you haven't read them, you'll want to check them out before picking this one up. Lost Roads (and the previous book, Broken Lands), is a sequel duology to the original series.
One of the things that I love about Jonathan Maberry's zombie books is the entire backdrop. It feels real. I like how explains the science behind the virus in a way that feels natural and engaging. This leads to a better, more engrossing story.
I also like that the zombies are definitely a danger, but they aren't the real threat in the books. This holds true in Lost Roads as well. Gutsy and her friends have to not only deal with being teenagers and making sure they don't get bitten by zombies, but they have to worry about the terrifying things that the living are trying to do as well.
Maberry does a great job of meeting contemporary issues head on in his books. Gutsy and the survivors are living in what seems like an ICE detention center near the border. Despite the entire population on the world being decimated, there is still racism and bigotry that Gutsy has to face.
Speaking of Gutsy, I thought she was super awesome. She is tough, strong-willed and protective of her friends. She also has flaws that feel realistic and round her character out. Her budding relationship with the girl next door feels real and adds tension when things go awry. I would definitely want her on my side in the zombie apocalypse.
Final Verdict
If you like well executed zombies, be sure to check this series out.
• Rot and Ruin Backdrop
• Deals with contemporary issues
• Amazing female heroine
Full Review
I have read every single one of the Rot and Ruin series. If you haven't read them, you'll want to check them out before picking this one up. Lost Roads (and the previous book, Broken Lands), is a sequel duology to the original series.
One of the things that I love about Jonathan Maberry's zombie books is the entire backdrop. It feels real. I like how explains the science behind the virus in a way that feels natural and engaging. This leads to a better, more engrossing story.
I also like that the zombies are definitely a danger, but they aren't the real threat in the books. This holds true in Lost Roads as well. Gutsy and her friends have to not only deal with being teenagers and making sure they don't get bitten by zombies, but they have to worry about the terrifying things that the living are trying to do as well.
Maberry does a great job of meeting contemporary issues head on in his books. Gutsy and the survivors are living in what seems like an ICE detention center near the border. Despite the entire population on the world being decimated, there is still racism and bigotry that Gutsy has to face.
Speaking of Gutsy, I thought she was super awesome. She is tough, strong-willed and protective of her friends. She also has flaws that feel realistic and round her character out. Her budding relationship with the girl next door feels real and adds tension when things go awry. I would definitely want her on my side in the zombie apocalypse.
Final Verdict
If you like well executed zombies, be sure to check this series out.
July 13, 2024
This felt like the epic finale. It's crazy to think that Broken Lands and Lost Roads all took place within like two weeks. So much happened, I can't even imagine having to live through it.
I loved all the pieces coming together, the separate stories that all built up to this crazy conclusion. I don't know if it's the end of this zom-world period, but it sure did feel like it.
There were so many types of zoms and zoms-adjacent that I got a smidge confused sometimes, but overall, this was a wild, horrific ride and even against odds that seemed pointless, somehow there was still a sprinkle of hope.
I loved all the pieces coming together, the separate stories that all built up to this crazy conclusion. I don't know if it's the end of this zom-world period, but it sure did feel like it.
There were so many types of zoms and zoms-adjacent that I got a smidge confused sometimes, but overall, this was a wild, horrific ride and even against odds that seemed pointless, somehow there was still a sprinkle of hope.
September 3, 2021
I don't know how I feel about this book and how it ended. Everything felt all this information and switching of story lines made it hard to read and understand what was going on. Some parts it just left it as a cliff hanger and we don't really know what happened, for instance with Nix and Lilah and then the same thing with Sam and Joe. Then the same thing with Morgie and Riot.
For Nix and Lilah they just suddenly end it with them somehow contacting Califonia, for Sam and Joe its just them walking into Site B and you don't really know what happened to either till the very end of the book.
For Morgie and Riot, its weird, because their journey to Ashville felt like it could of been a third novel. Like there was so much going on that the information we got was so little. Like when they started to get ill and had boils appear on their skin, I knew right away something was wrong. I just didn't expect them to have radiation poisoning. The book doesn't really say what happened to them, but the way the characters broke down, it seems they died because of it?
I was kind of disappointed in it really. I didn't even feel bad for Gutsy and Alice's relationship, because it was over so quickly, like Alice with her mom first thing she should of done was take her to the hospital, maybe she could of been saved? Who knows.. They don't even say what happened to Alice, like did Gutsy find her as a zombie and kill her? It just feels empty, because it seems she does, but the book doesn't really say. We just have to assume they did?
I think the book failed a lot in most things, like I felt that there should be more right? After everything that happened, with all the explanations of what the disease was and all the mutations going on with all the animals and zombies. Like how are they going to deal with all that, they say in the end there could be a cure.. but its something not really talked much about? They act like they can save the infected people with those pills, but is it really that easy? I mean what's to say that it wont change and suddenly you have a new problem with immune zombies? Cause that could happen.. >.> I mean it feels that way with the way the book was going. Cause out of nowhere we have this other zombie that is fast, angry and are killing the other zombies and humans it comes across, the Wodewose virus..
I don't know how I feel, but I feel like there should be more to this? It ended so quickly it felt rushed. I just didn't like how some of the things that happened, happened.
For Nix and Lilah they just suddenly end it with them somehow contacting Califonia, for Sam and Joe its just them walking into Site B and you don't really know what happened to either till the very end of the book.
For Morgie and Riot, its weird, because their journey to Ashville felt like it could of been a third novel. Like there was so much going on that the information we got was so little. Like when they started to get ill and had boils appear on their skin, I knew right away something was wrong. I just didn't expect them to have radiation poisoning. The book doesn't really say what happened to them, but the way the characters broke down, it seems they died because of it?
I was kind of disappointed in it really. I didn't even feel bad for Gutsy and Alice's relationship, because it was over so quickly, like Alice with her mom first thing she should of done was take her to the hospital, maybe she could of been saved? Who knows.. They don't even say what happened to Alice, like did Gutsy find her as a zombie and kill her? It just feels empty, because it seems she does, but the book doesn't really say. We just have to assume they did?
I think the book failed a lot in most things, like I felt that there should be more right? After everything that happened, with all the explanations of what the disease was and all the mutations going on with all the animals and zombies. Like how are they going to deal with all that, they say in the end there could be a cure.. but its something not really talked much about? They act like they can save the infected people with those pills, but is it really that easy? I mean what's to say that it wont change and suddenly you have a new problem with immune zombies? Cause that could happen.. >.> I mean it feels that way with the way the book was going. Cause out of nowhere we have this other zombie that is fast, angry and are killing the other zombies and humans it comes across, the Wodewose virus..
I don't know how I feel, but I feel like there should be more to this? It ended so quickly it felt rushed. I just didn't like how some of the things that happened, happened.
December 3, 2020
I admit, I'd almost forgotten that Jonathan Maberry was continuing the Rot and Ruin with a second series, but now, it's good to see that he's got a second book out with Gutsy Gomez, Benny Imura, and all our favorite zom-hunters - and yes, Joe Ledger, whose main series of (adult) sci-fi thrilllers, I remain perennially behind on. Just like Broken Lands before it, Lost Roads is terrifyingly fast-paced, blistering and bloody the whole way as we unravel even more of the secret origin of the zoms, and witness the rise of the Raggedy Man, naked except for his aged hospital scrubs and sounding seriously like something out of Mad Max. (That I'm reading this on the day that the Toecutter, and more recently Immortan Joe, passed away feels a bit oddly on the nose.) Though this book ends on a pretty solid note, it also stays open to the promise of further adventures for Gutsy, Benny, and all their friends and allies - and if Maberry gives us a third book in this series, I'd be a most happy camper indeed.
November 4, 2020
It was okay. I wish it was better. It’s lacking in the emotional scenes that made me fall in love with the series and seemed to be all over the place plot wise. I was very excited to see all these characters interact and bond but it didn’t happen. Also like am I suppose to ship Benny and Gutsy? Cause I do, I just don’t know what Maberry wanted their relationship to be. The whole thing seems unfinished, even though it’s suppose to be the final book. There should’ve been a third book to flesh out these relationships. The plots are fun but the relationships were the best part of both series and this book kind of just ignored them.
Like Sam wasted space. Benny and him had no scenes. Nix and Benny’s relationship is all over the place. And Benny and Gutsy were vibin’ the little scenes they had but nothing came of it.
I hope he decides to write more of them in the future. This was not the ending both series deserved.
Like Sam wasted space. Benny and him had no scenes. Nix and Benny’s relationship is all over the place. And Benny and Gutsy were vibin’ the little scenes they had but nothing came of it.
I hope he decides to write more of them in the future. This was not the ending both series deserved.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2020
If Joe Ledger wasn't part of this book, I would have given it one star. This book is intended for adolescents, so I shouldn't even be reading it, but it is technically part of the Joe Ledger world of books, so I have too. The parts with Joe Ledger aren't bad. I have a hard time connecting with the heroine - Gutsy - who is extremely clever and resourceful, but unable to understand how other people can have a different perspective.
After reading Ready Player One, I feel that this novel relies on unnecessary drama and a worse overall plot followed by dues ex machina. Ready Player One didn't need the extra drama - its plot was strong and interesting and exciting without throwing in random plot twists at every turn.
After reading Ready Player One, I feel that this novel relies on unnecessary drama and a worse overall plot followed by dues ex machina. Ready Player One didn't need the extra drama - its plot was strong and interesting and exciting without throwing in random plot twists at every turn.
April 21, 2021
So I started this book when it first came out. I put it down for MONTHS scared and dreading that it would be the end of the road for Gutsy, Benny, Joe Ledger, Sam, Spider, Riot, Sombra, Alethea, and company.
It seems I was right in my fears. But what I finally finished was a fast paced, dystopian thrill ride filled with zombies, reapers, "Wild Men", scientists that turned the world into a nightmare and the community ready to fight not only to survive. But to thrive in this crazy, dangerous world.
Gutsy is a great protagonist. Although the book is told from a few different pov's at times, Gutsy is the brave, smart and empathic voice we hear from the most.
Jonathan Maberry probably won't write part 3 specifically for me and me only (teehee). But hopefully we get another great series like this.
It seems I was right in my fears. But what I finally finished was a fast paced, dystopian thrill ride filled with zombies, reapers, "Wild Men", scientists that turned the world into a nightmare and the community ready to fight not only to survive. But to thrive in this crazy, dangerous world.
Gutsy is a great protagonist. Although the book is told from a few different pov's at times, Gutsy is the brave, smart and empathic voice we hear from the most.
Jonathan Maberry probably won't write part 3 specifically for me and me only (teehee). But hopefully we get another great series like this.
April 30, 2021
"As she turned away, she caught Benny's eye. 'Fifteen,' she said.
'Sixteen,' he replied. It was a conversation that made perfect sense to them, in a world that made no sense at all."
I love that one of the main characters is a girl who, in this world of shamblers, ravengers, reapers, and the Raggedy Man, with a little training would fit right into Joe Ledger's team. Gutsy and Benny should be recruited immediately.
But it seems they have other plans.
*Spoilers below*
I was sad to lose many wonderful and well-loved characters, including members of the core group. The Chessmen will be missed but their sacrifice made perfect sense. Morgie and Riot were another tough blow but you knew it was happening and expected the outcome. Alice's death gave Gutsy's story more freedom going forward.
Death is part of life in the Broken Lands.
'Sixteen,' he replied. It was a conversation that made perfect sense to them, in a world that made no sense at all."
I love that one of the main characters is a girl who, in this world of shamblers, ravengers, reapers, and the Raggedy Man, with a little training would fit right into Joe Ledger's team. Gutsy and Benny should be recruited immediately.
But it seems they have other plans.
*Spoilers below*
I was sad to lose many wonderful and well-loved characters, including members of the core group. The Chessmen will be missed but their sacrifice made perfect sense. Morgie and Riot were another tough blow but you knew it was happening and expected the outcome. Alice's death gave Gutsy's story more freedom going forward.
Death is part of life in the Broken Lands.
November 1, 2020
Lost Roads takes me back to my first Maberry series. Rot and Ruin started it all for me. Started me on the winding path through the worlds that all intersect with Benny and his friends at some point. So here, we go back to that world. In Broken Lands everything came together even more. Lost Roads ties up this part of the world. At least for now. I would recommend this series, and any by Maberry, to readers who want a new spin on something that may seem like it is done and done again. Zombies aren't exactly uncharted territory, but Maberry always brings more into it, more depth, more background, more diversity. His monsters are more than monsters.
January 13, 2021
You guys.
*Blinks.*
You GUYS.
*Blinks some more.*
This book. This was such a great book. There is so much to this book. Just like the one before in this series. There are characters who have been beaten up and broken down and yet they still fight. Who have lost almost everything but still can find hope.
There are characters who are quirky, kind, detestable, cowardly and badass.
Is this a zombie book? Yes. But it’s a lot more.
Reminds me of The Walking Dead because that series is also a zombie series but it is so much MORE.
Folks, do yourself a favor and read these two books.
I’m going to go back and check out some of the other books by this author. I encourage you to do the same!
*Blinks.*
You GUYS.
*Blinks some more.*
This book. This was such a great book. There is so much to this book. Just like the one before in this series. There are characters who have been beaten up and broken down and yet they still fight. Who have lost almost everything but still can find hope.
There are characters who are quirky, kind, detestable, cowardly and badass.
Is this a zombie book? Yes. But it’s a lot more.
Reminds me of The Walking Dead because that series is also a zombie series but it is so much MORE.
Folks, do yourself a favor and read these two books.
I’m going to go back and check out some of the other books by this author. I encourage you to do the same!
December 2, 2023
Meant to read this around Halloween, because...zombies. Got going a little late, but raced through it. Listened to the audiobook. Took a little getting used to the narrator. I have yet to listen to a male narrator who does female voices as well as most female narrators do male voices. Just my opinion! But this was not an exception. However, once I got used to the voices, the narration was quite good. There was a lot going on in this book--sometimes hard to keep the character straight. But Maberry is a master. These are the only zombie books I have ever been interested in. And now I'm trying to figure our--was this the last one with this group of characters??
February 24, 2024
Wow…I thought Rot & Ruin was action packed, well, guess what, this is NON-STOP. Broken Lands introduces a few new, excellent characters and combines them w/ the cast of R&R, making for even more mind blowing scenes. I found myself continuously putting down the book because I was so nervous about what could happen next. I also LOVE, yes all in caps, that Mr. Maberry paid homage to his Ledger roots. I’ve honestly loved everything I’ve read by Mr. Maberry, and I think I’m up to having read over a dozen of his books (Pine Deep, Joe Ledger, R&R, BL). Everything he’s written is worth your time, so go out and buy one.
May 8, 2021
12yo: +3-10x5/2x3 x=1 (I lost track of his elaborate math at this point, as it ventured into algebra)
14yo: 3.7… nah, 3.8.
40yo: 4 stars (I like to keep it simple)
The first half was a bit slow, and I found myself really missing Benny and Chong and the other California kids. They were largely absent from this story for the most part. The back half of the book was obviously a much faster pace, and the kids regained their interest.
I’ve heard this is the end of the series? Maybe? There is certainly an opening for more if Maberry wanted. How convenient. 🤔
14yo: 3.7… nah, 3.8.
40yo: 4 stars (I like to keep it simple)
The first half was a bit slow, and I found myself really missing Benny and Chong and the other California kids. They were largely absent from this story for the most part. The back half of the book was obviously a much faster pace, and the kids regained their interest.
I’ve heard this is the end of the series? Maybe? There is certainly an opening for more if Maberry wanted. How convenient. 🤔
Lesen
June 4, 2021I love the constant handoffs between beloved characters and new characters that continues to happen in this series. Given that this is an extension of the Benny Imura series, I enjoy the introduction and development of the new characters, the new focus, while retaining the same amazing story telling.
This zombie series is enjoyable, especially with the ever evolving changes in the zombies and the reason for those changes. Gutsy is a wonderful character and someone who is believable and inspiring.
This zombie series is enjoyable, especially with the ever evolving changes in the zombies and the reason for those changes. Gutsy is a wonderful character and someone who is believable and inspiring.
December 10, 2021
"Gabriella 'Gutsy' Gomez was sure every single thing-- living or dead -- was trying to kill her. This was the world and that's how it was."
Jonathan Maberry writes amazing, engaging characters, beautifully vivid scenes, and has built a believable world filled with zombies and the best and worst of humanity. Ray Porter performs the book magnificently, including the character's individual personalities and voices.
Exciting, edge of your seat action amidst love, friendship, heartbreak, and of course death. Highly recommended to fans of the Rot and Ruin and Joe Ledger series.
Jonathan Maberry writes amazing, engaging characters, beautifully vivid scenes, and has built a believable world filled with zombies and the best and worst of humanity. Ray Porter performs the book magnificently, including the character's individual personalities and voices.
Exciting, edge of your seat action amidst love, friendship, heartbreak, and of course death. Highly recommended to fans of the Rot and Ruin and Joe Ledger series.
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