Red Hill

 

 

 



I wasn't really sure what to expect when I started this book. I was pleasantly surprised by the end of it. The author, Jamie McGuire, proved that she no longer has to limit herself to one genre of writing. Not only does she write wonderful romance novels, but her debut horror novel has also been a success. I am a big fan of The Walking Dead and this definitely had that kind of feel to it. The book starts with Scarlet at work as an x-ray technician in a hospital just as the "zombie apocalypse" begins. She is able to escape the chaos and is frantically trying to reach her daughters, Jenna and Halle, who are with her ex-husband, Andrew, listening to the Governor give a speech. She makes it to Anderson, where her daughters are supposed to be, only to find that it is over run by a trigger happy militia. Scarlet is able to leave a message for her daughters to meet her at Red Hill, a secluded ranch in the country.

 

Nathan is in an unhappy marriage. He comes home every day on pins and needles waiting to gauge his wife's mood. Aubrey, his wife, is distant and doesn't enjoy being a wife or mother to their young daughter, Zoe. Ironically, Aubrey chooses to leave her family the day of the "virus outbreak." Nathan leaves with Zoe and heads to his NRA supporting brother-in-law, Skeeter. They hole up in a church for awhile, but eventually Nathan and Zoe leave and meet with a group that leads them to Red Hill. I loved Nathan's interactions with Zoe, and how he handled her "episodes." She has a sensory disorder and she would have outbursts when she was overly stimulated. My daughter has some sensory issues as well, and I could totally relate to some of the scenes in the book (minus the zombies).

 

Miranda and Ashley, along with their boyfriends, are headed to their dad's ranch, Red Hill, when the outbreak occurs. They have to take several detours to get there. Eventually they arrive, only to learn that their father is dead. They are able to cope, move on, co-exist, and survive together.

 

 

There were some plot twists that I found shocking. I know during the zombie apocalypse people will be die, but there were certain characters that I wanted to scream, "REALLY?! Why him/her?!" What really set the book apart from your average apocalyptic nightmare, was the message of hope and enjoying what you have while it's still here. I can only hope for a sequel.

 

 

"If the last year had taught me anything, it was that the end only lead to one thing-- a beginning."