Review: The Complex (The Reanimates)
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 10 18, 2012
Well, I have to disagree with the author a bit - I wouldn't classify this as a "gritty zombie novel" but I did enjoy it as a nice afternoon break..The Complex is a rather simplistic take on what would happen during a zombie apocalypse but that doesn't detract from the book itself, just adds a different outlook which is really what writing a book should be - a variety of perspectives on what might happen.Cali is a nurse who has just gotten off a long shift and comes home to her family, consisting of husband Trent (who is a cabinet maker/woodworker) and son Drew.  They live in an apartment complex in a small town in southern California which must be way out in the middle of nowhere as they are the only hospital for 25 miles around.  This fact makes it possible for them to survive when they wouldn't be able to say if they were in the middle of LA or close to a major town or highway system.  She works in the Heart Unit but had noticed that the ER was exceptionally busy for a Tuesday night in the middle of May but since they were the only trauma center around, figured maybe a bunch of HS students had a big celebration now that school was out and it got out of hand.She logs on to the internet to check her message boards (her favorite being the Kindle boards - I see a product tie in here!) and finds tons of messages.  She is nervous to check the TV because if she doesn't see it, then perhaps it can't be real for at least a bit longer but has to turn on the remote at some point and finds out that a new virus is "reanimating" people.She wakes her husband and together they break the news to their son.  While most people leave their gated community to find friends and family or to head to the hills, a core group remains and this becomes the group at the Complex.They actually have a great set up - one gate, tall concrete walls, and the building are divided into groups.  They move everyone into one building and go about getting on with their daily lives.  Some of the ideas are really good - they set up separate units for food, build, medical, etc. and have a school going as well.  They build up their defenses and run a few raids but have most of what they need on site by scavaging in the other units that were deserted.  The remaining residents (approximately eight "families"), secure their homes and build a new life.There are some losses, some zombie encounters, and some mauraders but mainly, this is a story of relationships and building a family - nothing wrong with that at all!  Just don't purchase the book expecting lots of battle scenes and gore.  I would rate this book more along a G rated zombie book than a rated R for violence one.Good character development, no spelling/grammar errors that I noticed, and the story flowed smoothly.  I liked ALL of the people in the complex which was unique - usually, there is at least one that bugs you nutty but nope, all are ones that you would invite over for dinner and drinks.The ending is full of upheaval and unexpected joy at the same time.  Obviously, there is a sequel in the works (I am blonde but even I could figure that out since it said "book one in the series") and I will looking forward to reading the next adventure in the series.  After all, sometimes, even if you love zombie books, it is nice to have good people who have quiet zombie apocalypse without as much gore to give you some hope in case it ever happens to you :-)