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littlelibraryofhorrors's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sydnapped's review against another edition
5.0
Society collapses when the tail end of an aberrant comet emits radiation that infects the living and refreshes the dead.
Read this when I was 17 after I picked it up while facing a long flight layover in a Dallas airport. I remember being torn between boredom and paying an overpriced amount for this novel at the airport book store. In the end, my need to satisfy my appetite for zombie apocalypse won over.
I knew it would be a good buy, though, primarily because I was already familiar with the short story version of Wet Work by Philip Nutman
when he wrote for Skipp and Spector’s "The Book of the Dead" anthology (an AMAZING zombie anthology and one of the first of it's kind).
So, the title and author's name alone had immediately caught my eye.
Upon realising that Nutman had expanded it into a full sized novel, it wasn't long before I became easily convinced to go ahead and splurge. Was definitely worth it because i've read the novel a few times over since then.
It is certainly a quick and easy read and worth tracking down for sure, which i have had to myself since my dog ate my original '93 copy.
The story wasn't perfect and doesn't stick to normal zombie apocalypse protocal, but it was memorable and original.
So, take this particular zombie story lightly; it takes place in the course of presidency under George H. W. Bush, involves government cover-ups, black ops, there are thinking zombies, some dark comedy, some corny phrases and a shoddily written sex scene that I read with a grain of salt. But, if you can be forgiving, you just may enjoy the creativeness and perspectives in this zombie tale.
Keep in mind I give five stars for being innovative at the time of it's debut as much as I do for the nostalgia of when I first read it.
If you like zombie adventure, covert operations, plot twists and zombies that retain function and intelligence, check this out.
theneverendingtbr's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
A comet streaks across the night sky, drawing people outdoors to view the celestial display. But its beauty hides a sinister secret . . . a mutant virus that spreads across the United States. The disease is fatal, yet its victims come back to life--with a voracious appetite for HUMAN FLESH!!
Right okay, this sounded awesome due to that summary and on the front cover of the book it says "The Most Acclaimed Novel Of Epic Terror Since The Stand"
So I was instantly interested because The Stand by Stephen King is my favourite book of all time.
BUT.. to make that claim is just plain silly.
Wet Work was a moderately good novel, it was a interesting take on the zombie genre, they're able to drive cars and make phone calls...yes seriously!!
It's not your traditional zombie story, it's more of a CIA/Military story and reads like an Andy McNab book.
There's lot's of blood, gore, bullets and brains in this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, Gore, Gun violence, and Violence
mikekaz's review
4.0
This is an excellent book that kept me thrilled the entire way. I could barely put it down as I whipped through it in just two days. The premise is taken straight out of Night of the Living Dead, a comet cuts close enough to Earth to cause havoc by allowing the dead to revive and eat the living. In fact, a short story version of WET WORK first appeared in the anthology BOOK OF THE DEAD.
But the book involves much more than zombies eating flesh. The characters are so realistic that you can recognize any of them as neighbors, friends and family. And they pull you in to their lives, sharing their problems, making you cheer them on while they try to solve their problems. Of course, not all the problems are solved easily; the zombies have to have someone to eat. However you will still find the book riveting and not something to be missed. I know that I need to hunt down more of Nutman's books and enjoy them. Oh yeah, an extra bonus for comic book fans is that many of the characters are named after well known comic book writers and artists. It doesn't detract or add to the story itself but it is fun to find out some comic book favorites are "in" the story.
But the book involves much more than zombies eating flesh. The characters are so realistic that you can recognize any of them as neighbors, friends and family. And they pull you in to their lives, sharing their problems, making you cheer them on while they try to solve their problems. Of course, not all the problems are solved easily; the zombies have to have someone to eat. However you will still find the book riveting and not something to be missed. I know that I need to hunt down more of Nutman's books and enjoy them. Oh yeah, an extra bonus for comic book fans is that many of the characters are named after well known comic book writers and artists. It doesn't detract or add to the story itself but it is fun to find out some comic book favorites are "in" the story.
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