The Rats: Rats, Book 1 [Audio Download]

The Rats brings us a concoction of blood soaking gore, uncomplicated sex and a narrative that races through the pages with non-stop gore fuelled violence and horror. The novel involves giant rats that have acquired a keen taste for human flesh, who terrorize London with their rampage of slaughter. There are times in the novel where you know what's coming next, and the suspense of the inevitable slaughter is killing you (try using the underground in London with hungry dog sized rats on the loose). This book is nothing short of a classic, which you will not be disappointed in.

Out of the Herbert's work I place this novel within the top three. Once you've read it, there's also the sequel "Lair" to read which is controversially an even more gut churning, gore packed rollercoaster of a ride. Then there's "Domain" which is the third installment, which I feel Herbert let the idea come off the boil a little. Then lastly, there's "The City", which is a graphic novel type of thing, which is a bit of fun, but that's about it! And that's your lot to date for Herbert's Rats series.

Be sure to check out some of his other work such as The Fog, The Survivor, Fluke, '48 and Sepulchre. Enjoy!

For sheer, dark, brilliant imagery it cannot be beaten. It is very filmic. London is being taken over by mutant black rats, as large as dogs, with teeth sharp enough to gnaw through wooden doors with ease. And they have developed a taste for human flesh. Deaths occur singly and en-masse in various locations, and it is obvious that something must be done about it. The government launches an offensive, declaring a state of emergency. But can they defeat the giant rodent enemy, a single bite from whom will ensure that death ensues within 24 hours?

For the first time in ages, this was a novel which I truly could not put down. The characters are very well drawn, the narrative moves at a cracking pace, the plot is coherent, logical and terrifying. In terms of gore, perhaps, the faint-hearted should steer clear. For everyone else, however, this is essential reading. You will find yourself devouring the mere 175 pages in just a few hours, and wanting more where that came from. I, for one, certainly intend to explore more of this interesting author's work. Highly recommended.