Broken Lands

October 1, 2018
In post-apocalyptic, zombie-infested Texas, Gabriella "Gutsy" Gomez discovers the truth about her town while a group of teens in California embark on a dangerous road trip.Gutsy hasn't been able to grieve her mother's death. Like everyone who dies, Mama turned into a zombie, but unlike everyone, she literally returns from the grave--twice. Bisexual Mexican-American Gutsy and her friends discover Mama's isn't the only desecrated grave, leading Gutsy on a quest to learn more. Meanwhile, in California, Asian-American teens Benny Imura and Lou Chong and white girls Nix and Lilah are bored until they learn the capital, Asheville, was attacked and they've lost contact with their colleague Capt. Ledger, who was traveling there. The four, plus two other teens, steal four-wheelers and head east. The narrative bounces among Gutsy, the sextet of teens, and Capt. Ledger, but fortunately the characters are mostly distinctive--quite a feat with such a large cast. As expected, all paths eventually converge for an explosive climax which ends on a cliffhanger. Racism plays a role in what Gutsy uncovers but, once revealed, bizarrely isn't really mentioned again. Despite the effort to build an inclusive cast, the fetishizing of light skin and European features, an insensitive presentation of facial disfigurement, the use of "illegal" for undocumented people, and some questionable racial descriptors are problematic. Still, fans will meet new characters and reunite with old in this compelling read. Engaging--with reservations. (Post-apocalyptic. 13-18)

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November 1, 2018

Gr 8 Up-Revisit "Rot and Ruin" with Maberry's latest postapocalyptic zombie tome. Split mainly between the perspectives of Gabriella "Gutsy" Gomez and much-beloved protagonist Benny Imura, this volume picks up shortly after the events of Fire & Ash. While Benny and his friends are helping to establish a new safe haven in California, Gutsy's in New Mexico burying her mother-again. The teens' worlds are soon thrown into chaos as mysterious forces and dangerous strangers threaten their fragile security. While the story's overall premise is exciting-if a tad redundant after the previous installments-Maberry packs too much exposition into the first 100 pages. Readers may feel disoriented by this quick introduction to such a fully developed world; additionally, they are given an infodump about the characters' skin colors, sizes, sexual orientations, relationship statuses, and religious ideologies. In his effort to orientate readers, in this world, Maberry has sacrificed nuance entirely. VERDICT Fans of Maberry's "Rot & Ruin" series may be excited to revisit this world, but newcomers should begin with the original books before diving into this title.-Kaitlin Frick, New York Public Library

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