THE MORNINGSTAR STRAIN: THUNDER & ASHES, the sequel to PLAGUE OF THE DEAD, is the transition novel of Z.A. Recht’s proposed trilogy. So its primary function is connect the first book to the third, concluding book. And while it successfully does that, what’s noteworthy about the novel is not so much what it is, but what it isn’t.
The cover promises “A Zombie Novel” (not surprising, considering it’s from Permuted Press). Hardcore fans of zombie stories, however, might be disappointed, because THUNDER & ASHES is more about humans than zombies.
Even without the benefit of reading the first book, it doesn’t take much to understand the essentials: A nasty filovirus named Morningstar has been unleashed. And within three months, the virus has become a world pandemic. Those infected are reanimated into murderous and contagious beasts. Cities and towns have become burnt-out relics, while the remaining survivors have reverted to a kill-or-be-killed mentality.
The narrative switches back and forth between two groups of survivors. One is a rag tag band of soldiers lead by Gen. Francis Sherman. The other is a smaller group accompanying Dr. Anna Demilio, who is the only mortal who knows enough about virus to possibly formulate a vaccine.
But she must make her way to a research facility in Omaha before she can continue her experiments. Sherman and his group are also bound for Omaha, as their mission was originally to chaperone Demilio and her work until they were separated during a skirmish in Washington, D.C.
The dangers both groups encounter during their trek come mostly from other surviving humans. There are mercenaries on Demilio’s tail, and armed groups of raiders and similar gangs around every corner. In one lengthy section toward the middle of the novel, the desperate citizens of Abraham, Kan. enlist Sherman and his troops to wipe out an encampment of raiders who have kidnaped several women.
And yes, there are the zombies. But Recht’s near-clinical depiction of the monsters is perhaps the novel’s most unexpected feature. They are never called zombies, but rather “carriers” or simply “the infected.” They are further recognized as either the more energetic Sprinters or nearly decomposed Shamblers. Their behavior is feral and deadly, (but without the tired old stiff-arm meandering and wailing for “bwwwains.”) Yet, while their threat is ever-present, their role is secondary compared to the times Sherman or Demilio must defend themselves against their fellow uninfected.
THUNDER & ASHES, then, is not so much a zombie novel as it is an effective — and, at times, frightening – presentation of a plague-induced apocalypse. And Recht sees the remnants of military authority as the last good hope for civilization until a vaccine for the walking dead can be found. While the pacing lags in a few spots, the action is plentiful and the style is mostly direct and cinematic. Characterizations are revealed through action rather than introspection or recollection.
The impetus for the final novel of the trilogy is introduced in the concluding pages of this second book. It may not be completely unexpected, but it will no doubt carry readers well into the MORNINGSTAR STRAIN’s conclusion. —Alan Cranis
OTHER BOOKGASM REVIEWS OF THIS AUTHOR:
• PLAGUE OF THE DEAD by Z.A. Recht
Related posts:
- The Morningstar Strain: Plague of the Dead
- The Thunder Riders
- Blood & Thunder: The Life & Art of Robert E. Howard
- Down the Road: On the Last Day
- World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War
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Couldn’t be more passionate in my recommendation of this book, (or P.O.T.D.). I can’t wait for the third one to come out. The Permuted titles have driven my quality expectations of zombie, etc. fiction sky high. Authors writing with actual depth, like Recht and Paffenroth just to name two of my favorites among many talented I’ve read from Permuted especially, are finally coming faster with better entertainment for this specific market of loyal readers.