Jay Bonansinga

This book was received for free as an advanced reading copy through GoodReads’ FirstReads giveaway.

The Walking Dead: The Road to Woodbury is a horror novel that follows a small band of survivors in Kirkman’s zombie apocalypse as they try to find a safe haven from zombies…and other survivors.

This is a prequel, parallel, or companion novel to the main comic series, depending how you approach it. The main characters have been introduced in the comics as Woodbury residents under The show more Governor, but have not been deeply explored.

The first thing you notice about the novel is the sheer number of adjectives and adverbs. It’s the hallmark of newer writers and feels clunky. In the first few chapters we are treated to run-on sentences that initially seek to physically describe the characters. Inevitably these end with descriptions of personality. Telling, not showing, is a real issue in this novel. There are some amazing descriptions in there though, like diamonds in the rough, such as zombies crawling out of cars ‘like a malformed fetus being born.' The narration is written in third person present tense, which is a bit awkward.

The characters were hit and miss. Lilly feels a bit like a blank slate with few strong characteristics. Josh feels like a walking stereotype. Scott wasn’t really present enough to matter. Megan I felt was the most flawed, interesting, and realistic character, but unfortunately she was only used as a whore for comparison, to show how virtuous our Lilly is. Bob was also flawed, and evoked some real sympathy from me. What screen time the Governor has was well-used, exploring his sick pathology a bit. (Please note that I have only read the comics, not The Rise of the Governor novel.) At under 300 pages, the novel could have been expanded a bit to flush out the characters more.

The plot was simple but worked well for the novel. The pacing was excellent and the action well-written. The inter-character conflicts were well-presented and realistic, including Lilly’s shame about running away rather than helping Josh during a zombie skirmish. The Governor’s ascension within Woodbury is brusk and effective and pretty much word-for-word from the comic source.

There was one issue that really stuck in my craw. Throughout the novel is this, perhaps inadvertent, theme on slut-shaming. Meagan’s promiscuity is discussed as a great evil time and again. Girls are captured by groups of men and pinned down regularly. Men coerce women into prostitution. There are vague threats of sexual assault. There is violent sex. And yet, and yet the author skirts around the word ‘rape’ very carefully and purposefully, especially considering the narrator is a woman. I felt like this in general was both unrealistic---and yes, even in a zombie apocalypse novel I expect some logical responses from characters---and damaging to women. Women are treated as sex objects, vilified for voluntary sex, and forcible sex is never addressed even when it is threatened at every turn. I found that a bit insulting. Comparing this to the treatment of Andrea or Michonne from the comics heightens the difference.

That all being said, it is still a solid zombie novel and miles beyond other popular works in the genre, such as those by Brian Keene.

Note: Do not read this if you only watch the TV show. There are some reveals in this that I feel are better revealed in the comics or in video.

TL;DR: A decent zombie apocalypse novel mired in flat characters and sexism still manages to edge out other zombie novels. Great read for fans of the series. show less

The upkeep and brutal treatment at Woodbury continues with The Governor in charge. While most of the citizens are unaware that they have a sociopath as a leader, those closer to the man are getting ample proof of how he provides things like safety and entertainment to the town. His inhumane treatment of three newcomers, Rick, Glenn and especially Michonne, allows some to prove they will go along with The Governor no matter what, while others are appalled.

The previous book in the series, The show more Road To Woodbury, was pretty slow. This book is focused on The Governor and his absolute rule over Woodbury, so a lot going on at once, and a lot of brutality. This book contains a long step-by-step torture scene which is probably the most graphic I've ever read, but then I don't read a lot of violent books. show less

Audiobook- Fabulous narrator*
Omg!!! Shocking twists and truths revealed. if you think you know The Governor you don't till you read this book. He is not who has portrayed himself to be. I think I might have sprained my jaw it dropped so far when I got the truth about who he is. Holy Crisps, I could barely catch my breath.
This first book stats with Phil, his brother Brian, his living daughter and two high school friends. The plague has just driven them from their hometown to search for the show more safe zone. They are unprepared for the horrors they face and the deaths that will happen. Phil was never a very nice guy, he seems to have alway had a dark shadow looming around him. Brian his brother is the older, kinder brother always at a disadvantage under his brothers power. Phil does some horrific things, and has worse thoughts. His friends muddle along with him on this ride of survival, not really standing out just following till...

If you are a fan of this show you do not want to miss this book. Toe tingling excitement and edge of your seat terror.
I am off to read book 2 in this trilogy. :D show less

I have mixed emotions about writing about torture in such detail...even to someone who "deserves" it. The Governor is a reprehensible human being, absolutely. What he has done is not excusable. But detailing the torture done to him is too far, as far as I can see. I don't see how the description makes for a more just world here on the other side of the page.

Furthermore, the woman who inflicts said torture...I don't see how someone could come away from that at all, much less come away from it show more unscathed (clearly problematic since she herself was tortured).

While I appreciate the presentation of such an ethical dilemma--sadly, torture is one of those black blots marring human history--my biggest problem is the ethics of detailing it. I just haven't made up my mind about whether this was necessary. show less