Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A fast paced and gritty post-apocalyptic zombie tale., 30 Jul 2006
Bowie's tale sets off in a world that is slowly falling apart. The reader is quickly thrown in to the action packed tale of George (undoubtedly named after George Romero after reading about Bowie's fixation with the director), who struggles to survive as he tries to reach his hometown San Uvalde.
The characterization is somewhat simplistic throughout the novel, but this doesn't seem to detract from the tale too much. Bowie's military group FEMA is a fabulous addition to the tale, screaming of a `Brave New World' paranoia. The FEMA camps in particular deliver a haunting image that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Only lasting for a mere 149 pages, this post-apocalyptic zombie story is fast paced throughout, but ends somewhat abruptly. Packed with gory zombie violence, oppressive government actions, die hard militias and a revenge laced sub plot - this novel packs it all in.
The special edition version includes a three page introduction by Travis Adkins (author of the zombie novel Twilight of the Dead) which sings a mass of praise for the author and his novel. There is also a seven page "director's commentary" from Bowie Ibarra, detailing his inspiration for the novel and its writing. Finally the book finishes with a nine page snippet from the sequel entitled "Down The Road: On The Last Day".
All in all, this is a great read and a must have for any fan of the zombie horror genre.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ignore the Haters, 1 Jun 2009
Now that zombie literature is mainstream, the trolls are coming out from under their rocks, apparently.
Let's address some of the complaints:
1) there are a lot of sex scenes, but it's not erotica, as some would have you believe. If there is a zombie outbreak, and you're pretty sure you're going to die, who wouldn't want to get laid a few more times?
2) weak characters? Give me a break. While we might not find out the central character's story in chronological order, you do find out that his life was already wrecked by a drug dealer before the zombie outbreak. Then he actually crosses paths with the drug dealer, and attempts to get revenge. Not sure why anyone needs his entire life history. Since the rest were supporting characters, it makes sense that there wouldn't be as much detail about them.
3) it's a freakin' zombie story people...while you don't find out the source of the outbreak, you are told what the zombies are like, you are given some blood and gore, and one of the most original endings I've read yet.
The best part is that you get to find out what happened to two of the characters after they parted ways with the central character in Down the Road: On the Last Day, and there is a third installment on the way to print.
If you want to read a solid, interesting zombie story, get this book.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Zombie lovers will not be disappointed, 18 April 2007
'Down the Road' is a masterpiece of zombie literature from author Bowie Ibarra.
The story, set in modern day America, is the tale of George Zaragosa, a school teacher who longs to return to his home in San Uvalde from his teaching post in Austin. This sounds like a simple task, but when you throw in hordes of the living Dead, hell-bent government officials, power mad militia as well as a world that has imploded on itself, the reader is in for a real treat, with plenty of ups and downs along the way for the stories main character.
The story is action packed from start to finish, with sub plots and twists around every turn. The tale is never lacking in detailed gore, as well as relationships forming, and tensions breaking.
Bowie Ibarra invites us into his terrifying world of a human race that has been let loose upon itself. Throw in the massive hordes of undead and FEMA outposts that resemble WW2 concentration camps, and this is a story that should not be missed.
This story is a real treat. Any lover of the zombie genre, that includes work from Romero, Raimi, Argento, etc should not miss out on 'Down the Road.' Ibarra's work ranks up there highly with the rest of the living dead genre.
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