Press
Claire Allington of Snakebite Horror ranks Dead Things highly in her top ten of 2011. Claire says:
"This beautifully crafted novel will appeal to the nerds (or should I say intelligent?) in all of us. With his careful use of social commentary and character dialogue, Darst has strayed into areas that most novels just ignore...Dead Things has clearly been researched in great depth, and it is refreshingly original to read a novel that the author has clearly spent so much time crafting.
"The post apocalypse world Darst has created is entirely new in this genre and about time too. I was growing bored of endless testosterone fuelled shoot outs involving flat characters with unbelievable personality traits. Darst has crafted his characters both male and female with an attention to detail and believability I have only ever read in Dickens and King.
"The only fault I can see is that he needs to write a prequel or two. The world he has crafted post apocalypse is so refreshingly “new” to this genre that it would be fitting that us readers get to the read the journey that led to it. Further, his characters are so extraordinary that this novel was not enough time to really get to know them.
"If you are looking for an intellectual read, challenging but never dull containing horror, drama, and social commentary, then this is the book for you. Darst as a first time writer has raised the standard within the genre; and I look forward to reading more of his work."
For the full review, please visit Snakebite Horror here.
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A Review from Sylvia Cochran of The Deepening World of Fiction
Published on Sep 21, 2011
Surprises are nice. They can change the complexion of your day so completely, so quickly. I received one such surprise this afternoon: an alert in my in-box concerning Dead Things. Sylvia Cochran of The Deepening World of Fiction posted a review yesterday...and it is fantastic!
Here's what Sylvia says:
"What is it with law degrees? Matt Darst is yet another degreed legal beagle who writes masterfully in the genre and fine art of zombie horror. Dead Things is the zombie novel for the rest of us. You know … the readers who do not really ‘get’ the deep dark obsession with the ghouls? Well, even if you have a subtle disdain for anything flesh-eating, do yourself a favor and pick up Dead Things..."
"Dead Things — in a word — is brilliant. The plot line is perfect, the characters flawless and the solution is so simple that it is entirely plausible..."
Sylvia's summary of the plot is excellent (to be honest, she does a much better job of it than I have done in the past!) and highly recommends Dead Things to "adults and older teens who are looking for a horror experience that has not been done to death (pun intended). Even zombie-purists cannot help but enjoy this book that takes the reader off the beaten path of zombification. A fresh twist creates an a-ha moment that the horror reader is sure to appreciate."
For the full review, please visit The Deepening here.
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A Review of "Dead Things" by Paul Huggins and Zombiejunky.com
Published on Jul 25, 2011
"Writing a good book is about planting seeds to make the reader think and re-read," Paul Huggins notes. "Dead Things IS one of those books."
Paul continues, calling the novel and its descriptions "original" and "incredibly well researched." Dead Things "reads like an encyclopedia of folklore!"
"THIS BOOK IS A MUST READ."
Thanks so much for the kind review Paul!
For the full review, please visit zombiejunky.com here.
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Joe McKinney Reviews "Dead Things"
Published on Jul 25, 2011
I just got my first review from Joe McKinney, author of "Dead City" and "Apocalypse of the Dead." And I am in shock. Euphoric shock! Joe writes:
"I loved your book. I thought it was a really smart read. You've written a winner here, and I hope my blurb does it justice."
Do it justice? Does it and more! Here's Joe's blurb:
"Matt Darst is a truly original talent. His quick pacing, encyclopedic grasp of literature and history, and spellbinding mix of social commentary and jaw-dropping action make Dead Things a first rate triumph. With a dash of Bradbury, hints of Huxley and Orwell, and heavy dollops of smart pop culture, Darst is taking the zombie novel in a really cool new direction, and you’re going to love every page of it. Hang on, if you can, because this guy has written a future history that will rattle every nerve you’ve got."
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