Siege by Rhiannon Frater is the third book in her “As the World Dies” series that has the world being overrun by zombies and those remaining alive fighting for their continued survival. A group of survivors have fortified a small town in Texas and are trying to create the beginnings of a new world, one of acceptance, peace and harmony but it is difficult as people seem unwilling to shed the prejudices that they were raised with.
I particularly enjoyed the fact that the two main characters are women that have evolved into strong, independent, kick-ass females.

In this book our group first comes into contact with another community of survivors, but these people are living a life of misery under the control of a former Senator and a Major General. After sorting out this situation, they are faced with one that looks to be far worse. A mass of thousands of zombies are marching west and their little town is right in the middle of their path. They now must work together and come up with a plan in order to save their community.

I have enjoyed all the books of this series, but this one would be my least favorite. The author introduced a plot point that I felt was reaching too far when the ghosts of fallen friends and loved ones returned to help the living. It seems silly that I am quibbling about ghosts in a zombie book but I felt like the author used this as an easy way of getting her characters out of trouble when she had written them into a corner. ( )

Loved it again

Reread the series a second time, and listened to it too! I fell in love with the characters and story all over again. It also help3d to read the intermingled novellas too...if you haven’t read these books, you are missing out! ( )

For a zombie series, these books are some of the best. great action, none of the characters are stilted and the zombies make sense. ( )

For a zombie series, these books are some of the best. great action, none of the characters are stilted and the zombies make sense. ( )

I’ll admit right now: I couldn’t stop myself from reading the ending. I needed reassurance that the people I’d grown to respect and care for would survive. Of course, not everyone did. In fact, my favourite character had died. I was devastated so I put the book down until recently when I gathered my courage and soldiered through. There are many deaths from differing causes: a common one was suicide (committed for varying reasons) which was sometimes preferable to the alternative.

The diverse nature of the population of survivors created much conflict. They were of differing ethnicities, religions, morals and sexuality. I loved this aspect. Intolerance and political (and social class) aspirations and the resulting manipulations were the source of many problems the survivors had to contend with. The thinning of the veil between the living and the dead was understandable when there were more corpses than living, breathing people.

My Favourite Bits
The discussion of whether a zombie was male or female until we see their naked groin. Ick. Ick. Ick.
The head in a flower pot.
Using toasters to decapitate the dead.

Overall
This was a brilliant trilogy showcasing the very best and worst that humanity has to offer. Every character has a unique personality. I cheered when they triumphed, grieved the losses of life and felt frustration at conflicts and failures. I was happy when new loves were found and sad when they felt guilty for surviving and living their lives when their loved ones were dead. However, survival meant that even good people did things that logically may be wrong but in the fight to live and breathe and protect those you love makes these acts were justifiable. Despite emotional breakdowns and moments of weakness I admired the strength and resourcefulness of them all, although a couple of characters had crazy on their side (like Calhoun) and we learn that they weren’t as crazy or as paranoid as we first believed. Even the loonies proved they were useful and needed.

Every aspect of society were represented: the old and the young, the disabled, politicians, the social classes, disaster relief agencies, the criminal justice system, the military as well as personal characteristics: the selfless, the honourable, the brave and the weak, and the list goes on.

All of this makes me I wonder how I would do their situation. Would I commit suicide? Would I seek safety in numbers or be a loner? How selfless would I be? Could I sacrifice myself for others? I don’t know.

I laughed and I cried throughout this trilogy. It all felt so real. I highly recommend everyone with a strong stomach to read these books so they can experience this vivid reality for themselves. ( )