Coldbrook

Coldbrook by Tim Lebbon was one of the most unusual zombie stories that I have read. It reminded me somewhat of The Passage by Justin Cronin in that it’s setting included a remote government sponsored lab, and also by it’s intricate plotting that allowed the story to unfold from many viewpoints.

When scientists located in a remote laboratory establish a gateway to a new world they are careful not to allow any living thing pass through, but, of course, they didn’t allow for a walking dead creature that carried a horrifying disease. Instead of a great scientific discovery, they unleashed a horrifying zombie outbreak that wiped billions from the earth. The only hope for mankind is the possibility of a cure that is generated by a show more genetic immunity, one young woman appears to have this genetic immunity but they need to locate and transport her to a safe location.

The author has blended horror and science fiction to create a unique and distinctive zombie story. He has veered away from the usual story of an experimental virus that goes wrong. His version is of scientists that have opened a portal to an alternative universe without fully considering the implications. At over 500 pages, I did find Coldbrook a little long and I freely admit that there were times that I was quite confused with the idea of an alternative earth set in a different time but the author kept the story moving at a good pace and took the time to develop his characters. I suspect Coldbrook will be book that I continue to mull over for some time. show less

I finished this last night while on vacation. The best review I can give it is that I had to get up early this morning but I refused to go to bed until I was done. This is without a doubt one of my favorite takes on the zombie novel that I have read. Right up there with World War Z. There is a lot of action and suspense. Plenty of horror. Most importantly a lot of characters I really cared about. Plus, as an added bonus a twist to the zombie novel that I can't talk about at all. You will just have to read it and find out for yourself. Great story by a great writer.

All right, review time.

This book let me down, big time. In the beginning, it wasn't bad. Fairly interesting, even though I hated Vic and Holly from the start. They're disgusting, I don't care what you tell me.

The infection spreading, Vic leaving with his family, all was very interesting. Then... nothing really happened. Holly's POV left me snoring. Seriously? You have the potential to do literally anything with another Earth/dimension but it's basically the same as ours, only their apocalypse happened years earlier. Fucking boring, I tell ya. Vic, Jonah, and Jayne's POV's were where stuff actually happened. Not much stuff though. I mean yeah, there was plenty of action, but somehow it was boring. Okay, we get it, the zombies are gonna show more kill them. Move ON. That got old after the first 250 pages. Mostly the book was about getting Jayne (who was immune) meeting up with the other Earth and this Inquisitor character that's from there, who haunts Jonah and wants his soul. I tried to stay and make sense of the Inquisitor, but I couldn't. He was part of a cult or something and wanted Jonah to accept that he was chosen and his people wanted to destroy our Earth.

I just really fell off with all of that. It's a different idea yeah, but I just couldn't get into it. The other Earth had so much potential, like I said, but we hardly get to see anything about it. Somehow they still speak English (lmao) and somehow, Holly's stupid ass is able to breathe their air, move normally, etc. Fucking boring. The author played it so safe.

I was hoping both Holly and Vic would die, but apparently only Vic did, and Holly is safe on Gaia (that's what she calls Other Earth) along with everyone else. Of course.

Vic's wife knew he was cheating but still loved him and doesn't bring it up or get mad. Of course. It's like the author wanted us to feel sorry for him, Vic's constant guilt and constant descriptions of how beautiful his wife and daughter were and how he loved them sooooo much (but... you're cheating? GTFO.) were probably supposed to make us think, "He ain't such a bad guy." There was even a random scene while they were on their way back to Coldbrook where Vic got on a school bus and drove kids to safety. I was laughing so hard. Epic hero scene am I right? To make Vic look badass and good and cool? That scene was not needed, it was just put in there so that Vic looks like a savior for rescuing kids... that serve no purpose to the plot. Nah son, you're still a piece of shit. Dude, I was BEGGING for him to get ripped to shreds by zombies so that I could laugh my ass off. We don't get that, though. Of course his wife and daughter were okay, too. I was hoping someone major would die horribly getting shredded by zombies, preferably Holly or one of Vic's family, but nope. Nothing. Everyone died except for them. *yawn* Oh yeah, but not surprisingly the gay scientist's boyfriend died. Really?

Anyway, I ended up disliking the book, as you can see, which I didn't really want to do. I wanted to enjoy it and love it, I mean it's a zombie book! With 500 pages, and a cool cover! All things on my checklist, and yet it still failed. Damn. Oh well. Two stars, one for that cover, and one for some sort of originality. show less

Kinda of "meh". What started out as a promising and imaginative novel about alternate universes and zombies fizzled and stumbled to a rather mediocre ending. Coldbrook is a facility deep in the Appalachian Mountains designed to discover portals into alternate Earths. When a zombie from an alternate Earth suddenly stumbles through the portal, all hell breaks loose and the expected Zombie Apocalypse begins. The key to stopping it may lie on the other side of the portal and it's up to a brave scientist to take that step into another Earth to try and save her world.
Unfortunately, the book didn't deliver after this promising start. The characters are underdeveloped and some action is difficult to follow. There is one character in particular show more who plays a lead role in the book, but for this reader, it is hard to root for.
It's not a terrible book but there are better ones to check out in this genre. show less

THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT HAS CHANGED FOREVER

THE REASON IS COLDBROOK

In a hidden research facility, deep in the Appalachian Mountains, a team of scientists achieve the impossible. They create a portal to an alternate Earth. Just as they are celebrating their success, however, something comes through the portal and unleashes a plague of the undead that threaten to wipe out the human race. Only one woman seems to be immune, but there are millions of walking corpses between her and the team of scientists who hope she can provide a cure.

Been a long time since I dipped my toe into anything remotely Sci fi (apart from Ready Player One which doesn’t count) and I was pleasantly surprised.

Coldbrook is a page turning mash up of post apocalypse show more zombies, quantum physics, multi-universes and scientists making the usual bad decisions regarding the planet and the rest of us.

I cannot review it fully as far too many spoilers involved but it really is a thoughtful novel and did make me ponder several of the ideas explored within the story. Characters were well written and very human; the role of the family and wider community plays a huge part in this novel making it expectedly emotional in places.

A lot of reviewers are reminded of Stephen King in his middle period and I can see that in the road trip section of the novel….there are a couple of set pieces that are still in my mind

Fast paced, intelligent and makes for very compelling reading show less

The author bio in the back mentions that the author has been lately working on screenplays for TV and film. It shows. Coldbrook seems like it was written to be adapted into a blockbuster film.

Lebbon used to write original stories with complex character psychology and emotional depth. What we have here is just another zombie novel. Bringing quantum physics into it (barely) and calling them "furies" doesn't make it different.

I wish him success with his current endeavors but I miss the old Tim.

Interesting concept. Dragged all the way, though.