Coldbrook (Paperback)

Lebbon takes zombie apocalypse to new levels. Science and gore are leavened by a compelling interweaving of engaging characters and some wonderfully poignant moments: a scientist who pauses from meticulously picking off the zombies to wonder if he might just be mad and slaughtering innocents; an engineer torn between love for his family and the awful knowledge of what he has done; a disease-ridden young woman who loses everything and yet may offer humankind's only hope. Compelling, humane horror from one of the genre's leading exponents. Lebbon’s prose is cold, lean and ruthlessly efficient... Where the book excels is in the scenes on the parallel world. There’s a dislocating sense of the uncanny here – the differences subtle, but powerful. It’s here, and in the book’s smaller, scarier moments, rather than the widescreen scenes of apocalyptic carnage, where Coldbrook finds its true power. Coldbrook is a heart pounding, blood drenched, yet intelligent and original take on the undead. It successfully blends the horror, fantasy and science fiction elements into an utterly compelling and satisfying story that stays with you after the book is finished. Zombie stories don't get much better than this. I had no notion of what to expect when I cracked this open at page one but I’m glad to say I was very impressed. I’ve read a lot of apocalyptic fiction and Coldbrook is right up there with the best. I’m always on the lookout for a fresh interpretation of the end of the world, and with this novel I think I may have just found it. All we need to do now is find a movie company who are willing to bring this striking vision to life on the big screen ... Highly recommended. The apocalyptic visions and survivors fights are vicious and gripping ... Lebbon creates vivid characters through an ensemble ‘cast’, which breathes life and individuality into the book. In fact, as mentioned earlier, through its brutal imagery, plot construction and strong characterisation, I felt as though I were almost reading a middle period Stephen King book, if it were not for Lebbon’s distinctive authorial voice. A truly breathtaking horror fantasy that had me reading into the wee hours of the morning in order to reach the end. Well done Mr Lebbon.