I Thought I Knew Zombie Horror… Then I Read The Rising

You think you know zombie apocalypse stories? The Rising by Brian Keene might have a few surprises waiting for you.

In this spoiler-lite review, Jim dives into the 2003 Bram Stoker Award-winning novel that helped kick off the modern zombie-fiction resurgence—and somehow escaped his attention for more than two decades.

These aren’t your typical shambling, mindless undead. Keene’s zombies can think, communicate, strategize, and use the knowledge they possessed while alive. And that’s only the beginning of what makes this apocalypse different.

Jim breaks down: • Why The Rising stands apart from traditional zombie fiction • The surprisingly deep supernatural mythology behind the apocalypse • Why nobody seems to have plot armor • The father-and-son story that gives the novel its emotional core • Multiple POVs that expand the scope of the catastrophe • Keene’s relentlessly effective pacing • Plenty of gore—without becoming gore simply for gore’s sake • Three reasons this version of the zombie apocalypse still might NOT work for you

Plus, Jim explains why the supernatural elements—both dark and surprisingly hopeful—may have been his favorite unexpected aspect of the entire novel.

If you’ve read The Rising, tell us what you thought! And without spoilers, which Brian Keene novel should Jim tackle next?

And the really important question:

Are zombies scarier when they can THINK?

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#therising #BrianKeene #ZombieHorror #ZombieApocalypse #HorrorBooks #BookReview #FantasyForTheAges

Want to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode? The Rising: https://t.ly/SxgE5

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0:00 - Opening 1:49 - Book Details 3:00 - Why Jim Read This 4:11 - Spoiler-Lite Summary 5:50 - Seven Reasons You May Want to Read This 11:37 - Three Reasons This Won’t Work for You 13:42 - Jim’s Final Thoughts 15:20 - Closing & Wrap-Up

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