Review: A Very Dark Place (Dead End)
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 09 28, 2012
Oh I am so sad... one of my favorite series has come to an end... I hate it when that happens!If you haven't read the previous books in the series, then I don't even want to see you here right now - seriously, go away until you buy them and savor each moment before you come back otherwise there will be spoilers and you don't want that... I have plenty of time.. will be waiting... no, finish ALL of them.. ok?  you ready now??  let's go..Jake has been busy in the previous books - being hated by everyone, saving everyone, being kicked out, coming back to save everyone again.. seriously, such a revolving door but he handles it with dignity and grace - more so than I would ever be able to which is why he is The Very Good Man and I am not.The storyline starts with Jake and his crew trying to solve who is behind the zombie outbreak and who infected Sammi's Mom with the virus.  He is also trying to get the various groups to work together and overcome their prejudices which is actually harder than fighting the zombies.  Tensions are high as it is winter and everyone is crowded together in a small enclosed place.  I really have wondered exactly how large the building they are living in is - after all, they have over a hundred people and more coming every day.  Even smushing together, they have to be sleeping standing up to all fit!  To make it worse, the military is now telling people to GO to their sanctuary so more strangers are on their way. And yes, Jake is STILL a virgin!!Little spoiler alert (but you would find it in the free download):  We find out WHO caused the zombie apocalypse!  Yep, it was a rouge group of Technologists who determined that Earth was dying so they released the zombie plague to eliminate all humans.  The idea was to allow the "others" to survive because they would be more open to new technologies that were eco friendly plus there were not as many of them.  While most of the Technologists had left for another dimension to escape, there were two groups left on Earth - the ones who released it and the ones who want to help The Very Good Man.  Unfortunately, it took them so long to find Jake due to a number of reasons (all of which are explained at the end of the book) and the virus had time to wipe out most of the human population.  This new group has offered the cure to the zombie plague and the technology to produce more of the - let's call it medicine - that will destroy them all.  They just need help to mass produce and distribute it.  Here is where Jake needs to use his leadership skills to get all the groups to work together to do just this.Of course, if it was going to be easy, the story would only be five chapters and it would be finish so you know things are going to go badly.What I LOVED:  A whole new cast of characters introduced that were well developed and FUN (when appropriate).  New settings and growth among our "old favorites".  The dialogue is just wonderful and the thoughts that Jake has literally make me laugh out loud - even when not appropriate which is what makes it fun.  I am kind of scared though that our thought processes run along the same lines and am glad that there is not anyone around that can read my mind!Jake has more mental and emotional challenges in this book than the others combined.  You literally hurt for him while he is going through the journey to be The Very Good Man.The ending:  How it was wrapped up was very satisfactory.  We learn what happened to each of the characters - some of it good, some of it expected, some sad, some unexpected.  I really loved the last few chapters.While I am going to miss Jake and the rest of the group that we have come to know over the series, I am very please with how Mr Powers' let us say goodbye.  I recommend the entire Dead End series for its storyline, writing style, characters, and dialogue.Buy them all and enjoy a new group of friends!