A Darkness Shattered -- A Book Review
Michael needs a little helping hand to become a man. Who would have thought that helping hand would come in the form of a tiny, blue-eyed pixie.
"A Darkness Shattered" is a coming of age story set against the backdrop of the end of the world (in the form of a Zombie Apocalypse). There are many questions Michael is going to struggle with as he goes from the son of a well-to-do household to a scared teenager just trying to survive the crushing and absolute despair that comes with being alone in the world.
A darkness inside of him continually threatens to take control of his entire being-- a darkness fueled by fear and anger and hopelessness.
With some supplies, a vehicle, a shotgun that he'd never really learned to use, Michael sets out with the neighbor's dog Herbie to search for the civilization that has vanished around him.
Michael's character and inner strength is continually tested as he slowly realizes that the problems are not localized, are growing worse, and are not his alone.
He makes friends and enemies; sees the best and worst of people... sees people rise up to prove that humanity is not lost... sees people sink to the depths of depravity and remind him that sometimes, we are just animals.
A coming of age story-- for sure. The real question is whether or not his new and adult self will become a man or a monster. As the horror and body-count continues to rise, Michael can feel his humanity slipping away. A chance meeting with a tiny yet feisty girl named Abigail; beautiful with extraordinary blue eyes that seem to be able to peer into his very soul, will play a big part in his growth.
But as the deaths of loved ones continues, and the sheer enormity of what is happening to the world begins to sink in, Michael finds himself constantly at crossroads, making decisions he doesn't want to make; doing things he doesn't want to do.
I found the characters likable and despicable (those that were likable and despicable, as they should be). A young reader would enjoy a sense of identification with Clothier's characters and storyline and writing, as well as the over-all pacing of the book. But beware, there is no shortage of descriptive carnage. The action sequences were gripping, well mapped out and easy to follow (always nice when all hell is breaking loose). A little research has uncovered that Bruce Clothier is planning two more books to form a trilogy following the exploits of Michael and Abbey. A twist at the end of this first novel promises some interesting twists in the upcoming novels.
~blogofthelivingdead.com
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