Review: The Reapers Are The Angels - Alden Bell

Title The Reapers Are The Angels

Author Alden Bell

Year 2010

Stand Alone or series Stand Alone

Pages 225

Rating 10/10

Reading Time 22 days (August 2010)

Summary

Zombies have infested a fallen America. A young girl named Temple is on the run. Haunted by her past and pursued by a killer, Temple is surrounded by death and danger, hoping to be set free.

For twenty-five years, civilization has survived in meager enclaves, guarded against a plague of the dead. Temple wanders this blighted landscape, keeping to herself and keeping her demons inside her heart. She can't remember a time before the zombies, but she does remember an old man who took her in and the younger brother she cared for until the tragedy that set her on a personal journey toward redemption. Moving back and forth between the insulated remnants of society and the brutal frontier beyond, Temple must decide where ultimately to make a home and find the salvation she seeks.

Review

When I saw some great reviews with this book I knew I had to had it and read as soon as possible. I started nicely then I stopped to read another two anthologies then I came back in this weekend and finish it... with a bang. I must say what a ride.

This is a post-apocalyptic novel full of zombies or meatskins but in this book they aren't the main protagonists or antagonists if you want. This book starts twenty five years after the outbreak. Our main character is called Temple and she was born after the collapsed so she doesn't knew the world we know so it brought some perspective to this genre/character. Our main character is quite an interesting protagonist that is haunted by hidden horrors from her past (we learn about them as the chapters go) that she is constantly battling. She is more afraid of herslef and her actions than of the walking dead and that's why she shuns everyone. She also thinks that god hates her and won't forgive her actions... The book starts with "God is a slick god. Temple knows. She knows because of all crackerjack miracles still to be seen on this ruined globe." Then she meets Maury an retarted mute and she sees a chance to right some wrongs. In her travels she mets zombies (that aren't that oponnent) and other humans. Some help her and some don't. As she arrives at some place a guy tries to abuse her and she kills her and so she leaves the place and from this moment the brother of the abuser tries to find her to kill her. But this is not just a assassin against another assassin. He, called Moses Todd is a diferent kind of killer. He is the only one who understand her. As he tries to kill her he also tries to reasure her that she is not as evil as she thinks she is. As I said there is affinity, and understanding between them and it's quite good to see how it affects them. He performs a dual role as a father figure (as he helps her soul) and at the same time as a potential murderer. Temple as I said its a good character with a tragic life forced to live a lonely life.

The writing is also important with a prose beautiful to read. It's in the present tense and the lack of conventional dialogue is also a new thing to me. I thought I was listening rather than reading it. Maybe the audiobook (if there is one) can make this even at a greater scale. But believe me when I say that this book has a dark aura in it but at the same time there is something that makes you hope for a better world. As Temple travels to arrive at her destination she meets people on the road and there is friendship in them (most of them). There aren't that many meatskins as well. Most of the books on this genre paints a dark scenery where people loses her virtues and become not better than savages. I think the author risk in this way but I think he was compesated. It worked very well. This book is a must have not only to people who loves zombies but also to anyone who likes post apocalyptic fiction and books that dwell on people, characterization and their relations. Excelent. This writer has a future and I am sure to buy his next book...