Rot & Ruin (2010) (edit title/settings)

Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit see section history

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Summary edit see section history

Characters/People edit see section history

• Benny Imura: A 14 year old boy who lives in the mountainside. He has to find a job soon, or get his rations cut in half. This is the driving point in the book, as it reconnects him to Tom."Benny got an even split of the genes. His hair was straight, but it was medium brown with red highlights. His eyes were a dark forest green. His skin was pale, but he took a good tan. " He doesn't like his brother at all, a better word would probably be hate
• Tom Imura: Benny's older half brother, a renowned bounty hunter in the Rot & Ruin, who is greatly distrusted by Benny. He has straight black hair, black eyes, and light brown skin. He has a thing for Jessie Riley even though he's never spoken of it. Highly respected in town.
• Morgie Mitchell: One of Benny's best friends. Has a crush on Nix.
• Chong: One of Benny's best friends, boys who joke around and tease.
• Nix Riley: A girl who is friends with Benny, even if he doesn't realize that he has feelings for her. She is red headed. She is a writer. Morgie also likes her. Daughter of Jessie.
• Captain Keith Strunk: A former acting teacher and director who survived First Night. He became the first mayor of the town and now serves as commander of the fence patrol and the town watch.
• Mayor Randy Kirsch: Mayor of Mountainside.
• George: A survivor of First Night. He was part of the group who survived with Mr. Sacchetto and he raised Annie and Lilah.
• Vin Trang: A Bounty-Hunter, part of a group of people who follow Charlie and the Hammer, lives with Joey Duk
• Jessie Riley: Nix's mom. She trusts Tom with her life, and will do anything to protect her daughter.
• Lilah: The name of the Lost Girl.
• Charlie Matthias: A well known Bounty-Hunter known for his wild stories and high zombie kill rate. Also known as Charlie Pink-Eye. Does not like Tom Imura. Partner is Hammer. Benny really respected him in the beginning, but...
• Annie: Lilah's little sister.
• Brother David: A monk who lives in a gas station out in the Rot and Ruin.
• Joey Duk: Another Bounty-Hunter following Charlie and the Hammer, lives with Vin Trang
• Cathy: Benny's aunt; his mother's younger sister.
• Tom: Older brother to Benny and a well known zombie hunter.
• Harold Simmons: A zombie Tom is hired to quiet.
• Turk: A bounty hunter; friend of Charlie.
• Rob Sacchetto: An erosion artist living in Mountainside. He draws portraits of people of how they may look as a zombie. Draws some of the Zombie Cards. Friends with Tom.
• Mr. Merkle: Crank generator repairman.
• Benny Imura: Benny is fifteen and looking to earn his keep by working for the good of the community. He is an orphan and living with his older brother, Tom. He and Tom have never gotten along and Benny thinks his brother is a coward. Benny is angry and tough skinned but misguided by the world he lives in.
• Bert: Morgie's cousin; bottles cadaverine.
• Mr. Feeney: Benny's former scout leader.
• Skins Harris: A bounty hunter; friend of Charlie

Quotes edit see section history

• “The only thing more powerful than fear is routine. Once people are in a rut, it's sometimes the hardest thing in the world to get them out of it. They defend the routine, too. They say that it's simpler life, less stressful and complicated, more predictable.”

  Benny Imura

• “They sank down to their knees together on the kitchen floor, crying so loud that it threatened to break the world.”

Setting & Locations edit see section history

• Mountainside
• California
• Gameland: An elusive place which may or may not still be around after being destroyed once, that many of the characters have connections with.

First Sentence edit see section history

Table of Contents edit see section history

Glossary edit see section history

• Rot & Ruin: The term that describes any of the land between the settlements, the land where the zombies have taken over.
• Zoms: Shortened version of zombies.
• Noms: Term to describe nomadic zombies.

Series & Lists edit see section history

Followed by Dust & Decay.

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

1. Jonathan Maberry (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Awards edit see section history

• Bram Stoker Award (Finalist, 2010: Novel)
• Pennsylvania Young Readers' Choice Award (Finalist, 2012: Young Adult)
• Texas Lone Star Reading List (2012)

Notes for Parents edit see section history

Although it is a zombie book it has no cuss words or gore like most. If your child likes zombies this is the book for them.

Subjects edit see section history

• Books › Children's Books › People & Places › Social Issues › Death & Dying › Fiction
• Books › Children's Books › Literature › Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror › Spine-Chilling Horror
• Books › Teens › Literature & Fiction › Adventure & Thrillers
• Books › Children's Books › Literature › Action & Adventure
• Books › Teens › Social Issues

More Books Like This edit see section history