Prior to recorded history, a small genetic mutation occurred that created this race now found among every civilization in every corner of the globe. Unrecognizable to the rest of mankind but dependent upon them for survival, this race is known as Mortui; those whose spirits do not sever from their bodies when they die. They are not zombies, but they are the source of all living dead legends. “You living beings have an instinctual knowledge of our existence. Why do you think people are afraid to look into the eyes of strangers, or avoid the gazes of those they pass? It comes from an intuitive need to protect yourselves from us.” At the time of his premature death, Wesley Lohmann discovers he belongs to this select group. “You aren’t a zombie. Zombies are bodies without a soul, and such a thing can’t really exist. Your soul still resides in your body; it’s just not a living body as you think of one.” Wes joins in the impending conflict between two rival organizations; AfterLife, determined to co-exist symbiotically with humans, and The Atumra, a Mortui organization headed by Seth that focuses on the domination and subjection of the living.
My Review
This is not your typical living dead zombie novel. This story gives an explanation to the living dead that goes back to the beginning of time. It’s completely original from other books and movies out right now. There’s good and bad of course, what story is worth anything if there isn’t a conflict between good and evil. It takes a few chapters to get to the real meat of the story, but the build up is definitely worth it. I liked that this wasn’t all aimless wandering and eating of brains. This actually had a pretty cool underlying message about life and death and how you live your life and affect others in the process. There’s still some gore in there though for the hardcore bloody fans. I was engrossed in this book from the beginning and I can’t wait to see what comes next for these characters!
About the Author
S. P. Cloward grew up in Utah across the street from the Salt Lake City Cemetery. He currently resides in sunny Orlando, Florida, a stone’s throw from world famous theme parks. His imagination occupies a studio apartment somewhere in-between.
Authors Website
Amazon