Back before “The Walking Dead” premiered on AMC, I was obsessed with all things zombie. Carrie Ryan’s “The Forrest of Hands & Teeth” series of books and Rhiannon Frater’s “As the World Dies” series are two of my favorites. I was obsessed with both. As far as “The Walking Dead” goes, I was glued to the first few seasons, but then, about halfway into the TV series, I started to experience extreme zombie burnout and never finished it; I definitely reached my zombie saturation point. But then “The Last of Us” came along with a fresh spin, and my interest reignited, so I was excited to give this book a try.

The story is set in a world where a zombie plague struck years prior, and, not surprisingly, the dead now roam the earth. We spend most of our time amongst a community of survivors who live on an island in the middle of a lake. Since the zombies can’t swim, the living remain safe, but when winter comes, the lake freezes, making it easy for the dead to walk across and get to their village, leaving the residents vulnerable to attacks. The book focuses on Peter, a teenager who lives on the island with his father, and Cooper, the teen son of another man who lives there. The residents follow some stringent rules and are also very strict about protocols put into place when outsiders approach their sanctuary. So far, they have been safe, but things always get more dangerous in the winter.

As Peter and Cooper traverse the dangerous landscape, their bond deepens, and a romance begins to blossom between them. However, their newfound love is put to the test when they stumble upon a dark secret from Wranglestone’s past. This revelation, which their parents have been shielding them from, shatters their understanding of their sanctuary and forces them to question everything they thought they knew. The truth they uncover is a game-changer, and it sets the stage for a thrilling and unpredictable journey.

Charlton’s writing is quick and to the point. He wastes no time introducing us to the characters and the challenges they face, and then, ever so slowly, he drops in revelations that turn everything we think we know on its head. His vivid descriptions of the post-apocalyptic world make it seem both familiar and refreshing. I loved the little twist he threw in, adding his own take on this version of zombies.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the novel is the dynamic between the characters and the tension that builds as they uncover the truth about Wranglestone. Peter and Cooper are relatable young men, and I cared about each of them, but the side characters are the ones who bring much of the novel’s tension and mystery. While, yes, the zombies are a constant threat, if we’ve learned anything from the multitude of other zombie books, movies, and television shows, it’s often the living who present the most danger, and that is no different here. The true villain was very unexpected, and I loved how it all played out. This is the first in a series, and unfortunately, it’s not published in the U.S. If you’re interested in checking it out, you’ll need to place an order via a U.K. bookstore or online retailer with it in stock.

While the concept may not be entirely original, I really enjoyed this book. The characters were compelling, and the mystery surrounding Wranglestone kept me engaged. It was a fun return to the world of zombie apocalypse novels – a genre I was once obsessed with. The fast-paced narrative and characters I rooted for made it an enjoyable read. I’ll definitely check out the second installment to see how it all plays out.