I loved so much about this book, I don’t even know where to start. The story is about what the world looks like after the zombie apocalypse — and it’s not pretty. Our hero is a 16-year-old kid who’s in charge of a group of army cadets who have holed up in the city until now, but if they’re going to survive, they have to get out…and the zombies (or creeps, as they’re called in the novel) are just the beginning of their problems in doing so.
The post-apocalyptic world that Cummings has created is incredibly detailed and all-too-believable. The characters are tough (yes, even the girls!) without being over the top, and they strive to maintain their continued humanity in the face of unbelievable odds. And the action? A non-stop, edge-of-your-seat, must-read-just-one-more-chapter, relentless pace.
About the only complaint I have is with regard to back story. THE NORTH kicks off six months after the apocalypse happens, and I would have liked a little more info on how it all came about, what caused it, etc. I’m hoping these details will be forthcoming in the next two books (this was the first of a trilogy), but it would have been nice to have more up front.
If you like zombies and dark, gritty, no-holds barred apocalyptic fiction, you’re going to love this. Heck, I DON'T like zombies, and I still loved it.
(The full review text can be found on my blog at http://www.lindapoitevin.com/2014/09/18/review-of-the-north-sean-cummings/)