Hater by David Moody

 

Copyright 2006         

 

Synopsis:

Hater takes place in England/Great Britain (some country with a British accent). Danny McCoyne is our main guy and you get to take the journey of the world falling apart with him. It's 281 pages that takes place in a couple of weeks, and let me tell you, A LOT happens in those few days. It's a pretty neat take on zombies, if you will. People are changing....and depending on who you are....it's not for the better.

 

"Society is rocked by a sudden increase in the number of violent assaults on individuals. Christened Haters by the media, the attackers strike without warning, killing all who cross their path."

 

Review:

I finished this book in two days. I'm not afraid to admit that I am a slow reader - so this is quite the accomplishment for me! Hater, while full of angst-y hate and complaining by good ol' Danny, is a fast pace survival horror story. Because this idea is so plausible it gets you to the core. This shit could happen for real. Imagine just going along doing your own thing...and then everywhere you go people are losing their minds to the point of carnage-y death!? Um, no thank you.

 

This novel didn't really have characters I fell in love with. Danny got quite annoying with his bitching and complaining all of the time. However, it was his hatred of the mundane, everyday things that can wear individuals down that made him a very believable character. I may not have loved him and truly cared for him, but he was real to me. This guy totally exists right here and right now. What happens to Danny is something to be feared. To see his horror story unravel was the suspense driven novel I needed to read.

 

"The armed police officer is down. Another officer stands over him and unloads shots nine, ten, and eleven into the twitching body of his former colleague. I keep running. As I move a single devastating thought crosses my mind. Was that police officer a Hater? Christ, if there are people in the police force who are capable of this kind of cold-blooded, emotionless violence then what the hell are we supposed to do? The implications are vast and terrifying. Who's going to keep control? What the hell happens now?"

 

I gave Hater three solid stars out of five. I always enjoy some deep, wonderful character development, which it lacked. This story didn't necessarily need it - as it was more about the shit hitting the fan scenario. It helped imply the chaos, which I believe that to be one of the most important aspects of this novel. I totally got caught up in this story...not sure who to root for - "normal" dudes or the "Haters". In the end I had the seed of the novel planted in my brain, leaving me with nightmares of a world breaking down -- one evil, mindless, senseless murder after another -- and could it be me? Could it be my boyfriend? A complete stranger? Will I survive a zombie-esque world that happens over night?

 

"Don't know. Don't even know if I want to think about it. We have to keep fighting to stay alive, and you can bet they're going to be doing exactly the same thing. So we can only keep running and keep killing," he replies, "because if we don't get them, they'll get us." 

 

I hope I won't ever have to find out. Hater got me thinking (and slightly freaking)....and has successfully lead me on to the next! Dog Blood by David Moody - Part 2 of the Hater Trilogy.

 

Good book, people! I recommend when you have a little time to spare....pick this bad dude up. It'll be a quick treat of crazy British suspense goin' DOWN!