REVIEW: Rise Again by Ben Tripp
Rise Again is an above average zombie novel from first time author in this genre Ben Tripp. It focuses on a small mountain town, Forest Peak, CA and the people and events that transpire when an unknown possibly weaponized virus is released. The actual release point was Los Angeles but due to the spread pattern, wind direction and panicked civilians, the virus spread to other locations. This is the first novel that actually created a somewhat believable real-world cause for a zombie outbreak. Not to pick apart another author’s work, but a previous novel in this same genre insinuated that the Ebola virus had somehow been mutated into something more deadly. While this sounds really cool for a plot device, basic research into Ebola shows that it’s very susceptible to UV and therefore not a viable candidate.
Looking back at Rise Again, the initial read through showed it was well written with good action, believable character development and character interaction. However, after mentioning in several passages the decomposition and decay of the infected, essentially goo in their clothes for those unlucky to have been trapped in a sealed car, we now have evolution (?) of the decaying infected. Not only does this go against the basics of thermodynamics and psychics it’s not a very good plot device. This is where the storyline runs off the rails and moves into another direction that severely stretches the previously established facts as presented earlier in this novel.
Let’s take a step back and look into the story a little more deeply.
How does something that is dead, as described numerous times in painstaking detail throughout the novel all of a sudden begin to evolve? (Attack of the smelly, gelatinous monsters?)
Here’s an example: the story starts on the 4th of July which most of us know to be a summer day and usually quite warm especially in California. So in the middle of summer, with high temperatures (as mentioned in the early chapters) thereby facilitating a rapid decay rate, we have rotting corpses ‘learning’ pack mentality and somehow moving faster.
Yeah, kind of makes you think. That’s a stretch even for this genre.
Decay and decomposition will increase in the warm weather and not only bloat the bodies but once they ‘pop’ and the fluids drain out, bodies have a tendency to dry out fast with exception to the side of the body that is in contact with the ground or any other surface like a floor, chair, bed or couch. (Isn’t basic science fun?) But, this is not mentioned or described and did not occur in the story.
This popping and rapid decay coupled with the high temperatures would make the infected dry out like seasoned firewood and very brittle making it easier to ‘break’ them into smaller pieces ala axe handles, pry bars, shovel handles or that handy sharpened wooden fence post you keep around in case of vampires. (Oops! Sorry about that, wrong genre.)
While the concept of decaying matter learning or evolving goes against known protocol it does make for an interesting read.
Overall, the storyline was good with several minor subplots that didn’t detract from the main story. The thinly veiled though not directly named Blackwater (now known as Xe) PSC’s that appear towards the middle add to the plot and ratchet up the tension and drama a bit more. The Mad Max- Road Warrioresque caravan of up armored vehicles full of survivors that now prowl the rural areas searching for supplies and more survivors adds a nice twist to the story as does the use of a hardened female character in search of her wayward younger sister who took her most prized possession on the morning the infection first appeared. The issue of fuel or running out of food and ammunition is very lightly touched upon and there is no mention of what happens when a vehicle breaks down and needs spare parts.
Damn, really hate those little details.
Rise Again was well written and held the interest of the reader far better than previous novels of the same genre.
Available from Amazon
