The Rising

[Ark]

How many of you have read the book "The Rising"? Best Zombie book ever, apart from the book Max Brooks wrote.

[StompinCharlie]

Belongs in zombie books and comics, not zombie talk. :)

[SteveVernon]

I read it. It was awesome. Felt like I was reading a movie. Excitement all the way through.

[Ark]

No doubt. It never got boring or lame at any point. The cliffhanger ending kind of annoyed me though. I havn't heard anything about a sequel. By the way, have you read any of Edward Lee's books? If you liked The Rising then those would be right up your ally. He's my personal favorate author.

[zombiekilling101]

i liked it alot. theres already areas for talk about this book though.

[Brian_Keene]

Thanks gang. I'm glad you all enjoyed the book.

I totally agree with Ed Lee. He's a good friend, and a wonderful writer. Nobody--and I mean nobody--does hardcore horror fiction better. I recommend THE BIGHEAD or THE PIG for his absolute grossest stuff. If you want something a little more mainstream, try FLESH GOTHIC or THE MESSENGER.

[MasterBrad]

I really liked this book. It was a different look into a strange place. It that ever happens when I find a gun I shoot myself! HAha

[zombiekilling101]

Does it ever get old having your ass kissed constantly Brian?
:)
It wouldnt for me.

[Brian_Keene]

Heh. Believe me, man. There's PLENTY of people out there who don't kiss my ass.

But that's why I like this place. People are honest.

[Ark]

Wow. An actual author replying to one of my posts. I'm not worthy. I'm going to shoot myself now (in the head, of course).

I've read all of the Ed Lee books I found at Borders, but I don't know where to find others. Same goes for your books, Mr. Keene (what? I have to show respect!).

Oh, and can you leak any plot info on your next book?

[Ark]

I'm an ass kisser, arn't I?

[zombiekilling101]

I'm an ass kisser, arn't I?
yeah.. but so im I. (high five)

[Brian_Keene]

Ark: The absolute BEST place to get all of Ed Lee's books (and all of mine) is www.shocklines.com. Their customer service is top-notch, they ship quickly, and I highly, highly recommend them

Here's a list of what they currently have for Lee (including his comic books): http://store.yahoo.net/shocklines/edwardlee.html

And here's mine: http://store.yahoo.net/shocklines/briankeene.html

As for the next book, I'm currently working on two at once (which is how I always do it). One is a novelization of my novella, Earthworm Gods. It's a post-apocalyptic tale, but has giant worms rather than zombies. The other thing I'm working on is The Rutting Season, which is a violent, hardcore story of sex and satyrs.

[Ark]

Very cool. Thanks for the site. I'm a big fan of hardcore horror, so I'm already looking foward to your next books. City of the Dead most of all.

:drinking: Me and 101 waiting for City of the Dead. :x :x

[zombiekilling101]

:drinking: Me and 101 waiting for City of the Dead. :x :x[/QUOTE]

haha yep.
:cry:

[Ark]

We'll be like zombies if we are seperated from City of the Dead for too long once we buy our copys. Like, we have to read all the time. If we put it down for more than 20 seconds, we become horrible, snarling beasts bent on killing people if we don't find a copy. The bookstores will be the hardest hit, then later, CVS and Wal-Mart. The same thing will hapen with Halo 2.

:evil:

[Brian_Keene]

Good Christ--I hope you guys ordered hardcovers in that case. Otherwise, we're all in trouble until the paperback comes out in June.

[Ark]

MMMMMMMM.....Hardcover......

[awfulman]

I got a copy of The Rising from Amazon and enjoyed it very much; thanks Brian! I look forward to The Rising 2 for obvious reasons!

The zombie dimension described is unique and fascinating. I don't usually take to Judeo-Christian based horror, because I am agnostic. I do however enjoy The Excorcist and the Hellraiser tales because, like this novel, they're inspired.

I can see why so many of you have been so adamant about it!

So what's coming after The Rising 2?

[DEAD-KNIGHT]

I got a copy of The Rising from Amazon and enjoyed it very much; thanks Brian! I look forward to The Rising 2 for obvious reasons!

The zombie dimension described is unique and fascinating. I don't usually take to Judeo-Christian based horror, because I am agnostic. I do however enjoy The Excorcist and the Hellraiser tales because, like this novel, they're inspired.

I can see why so many of you have been so adamant about it!

So what's coming after The Rising 2?


I highly suggest you pick up CLIVE BARKERS "Weave World" and "Books of Blood" series, they'll twist your mind.

[awfulman]

Thanks for the tip, but I have already read his Books Of Blood, but not Weaver World. Keep the suggestions flowing! ;)

[Brian_Keene]

"So what's coming after The Rising 2?"

Too much, and not enough time to write it all... ;)

Here's a partial list:

TERMINAL and CITY OF THE DEAD both comes out in paperback in June. You guys already know what CITY OF THE DEAD is, of course. TERMINAL is very different. It's a bank robbery/crime novel, with a hint of supernatural.

After that, it's EARTHWORM GODS, which is another post-apocalyptic novel, but has nothing to do with zombies. Think Tremors crossed with Waterworld.

[guerrilla]

started reading The Rising today during my breaks at work. only about a chapter into it but its awesome. i can't wait to get to the end. i have a stack of books to read but after all the hype i've heard about this book from these message boards i decided to go with The Rising first. i decided to put off Profondo Argento and Beyond Terror: the FIlms of LUcio Fulci until after it. lol

[AmmAr_GGedoN]

Well, I just ordered the Rising and several other zombie books from Amazon.com, you guys got me real excited about reading that novel, can't wait for it to arrive

[zombiekilling101]

"So what's coming after The Rising 2?"

Too much, and not enough time to write it all... ;)

Here's a partial list:

TERMINAL and CITY OF THE DEAD both comes out in paperback in June. You guys already know what CITY OF THE DEAD is, of course. TERMINAL is very different. It's a bank robbery/crime novel, with a hint of supernatural.

After that, it's EARTHWORM GODS, which is another post-apocalyptic novel, but has nothing to do with zombies. Think Tremors crossed with Waterworld.
well brian, i like tremors (favorite kevin bacon movie:) ) and waterworld is good. so im going to give that a read for sure.

ps. kevin bacon should have done the sequeals.

[Prah]

I've literally just finished reading The Rising, and I have to say it rocks! Characters, situations, Ob... all excellent stuff. And the ending? I want more dammit! You can count me down as a pre-order for The Rising 2 paperback :)

Keep up the good work, I can't wait to find out what happens next.

[EvilsNewName]

Ya , I've read it too and the ending left me wanting more. Cant wait for City of the Dead to get out on paperback.

[Ark]

When is the sequel coming out again?

[zombiekilling101]

if you ordered a hardback like me haha, than its shipping in january according to brian. i think its like a year or something until the paperback but im not sure. im sure its posted on the city of the dead thread.

[DocZomby]

Brian,

You lucky dog you! not enough time for all the writing you need to get done! That must be a published authors dream! I'm lloking forward to reading more of your work and am thrilled that you are not allowing yourself to be pingeon holed into being the "Zombie guy" I wish I had the spare cash for the hardcover, but I guess I can wait until summer for the paperback.

[Brian_Keene]

This is kind of flattering. Check out what the hardcover and paperback are going for now:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=377&item=4526943814&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=377&item=4525875023&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

[Lonesome Bones]

Wow, the paperback went for $20. Why is this book so hard to find? Is it out of print? I've been keeping an eye out for it at new & used bookstores for awhile now and still haven't found a copy. I haven't been able to find a cheap copy of the paperback online either.

[KeeperOfCommonSense]

Belongs in zombie books and comics, not zombie talk. :)

dude this is books and comics, what are you high or drunk or something? :evil:

[zombiekilling101]

dude this is books and comics, what are you high or drunk or something? :evil:

probably alittle of both:)

[Divided Soul]

dude this is books and comics, what are you high or drunk or something? :evil:
Keeper, Once again your name rings true! :)

[hooflung]

I am on the final chapters of this book. I finally found it at a Borders ( go figure) after fruitless efforts on the web. First off I as someone who is very at home in the bible's teachings this book has a no nonsense view of the end times. And if fricking kicks arse. I have never seen such gore bite down on humanity in a believeable and emotional way. The character development is great and man has some scenes in the book tossed me for a loop. Just when I thought, "how is this person going to make it to the end," well... need I say more.

Nothing is sacred! Great book indeed. And its not one of those convoluted religious oriented horror books. Its down to earth for the believers and non believers to take something from it like it or not. All I can say is WoW, and I got City of the Dead preordered right before amazon.com said it was sold out. Booyah! BTW, the movie will be better than Land of the Dead me thinks, and I am a big Dead Head.

[zombiekilling101]

well hurry up and get that done. And youll love City of the Dead.

[skellingtonjr]

I bought The Rising through amazon on paperback or $25. On all of it's recommendations and I am going to start reading it tonight.
No spoilers.

[UndeadAnthology]

I think Leisure will surely do a 2nd printing on The Rising. I believe I heard it was one of (if not the) best selling books they've ever had. If I had to guess I'd say a 2nd print will be put out not too long before the paperback edition of City of the Dead.

Jacob
http://www.permutedpress.com

[skellingtonjr]

It was the best zombie book I have read to date hands down. :clap: A+
I love the ending. It is like a slap in the nuts.

[Monkey Mech X]

I enjoyed the book, but I did ridicule Mr. Keene.

[zombiekilling101]

I enjoyed the book, but I did ridicule Mr. Keene.

For what mr.

[zombiekilling101]

I enjoyed the book, but I did ridicule Mr. Keene.

For what mr. monkey?

[Monkey Mech X]

The gung-ho black girl and the bad ending.

[JohnDRobinson]

I'm reading it now. It took me a long time to track it down but I am enjoying it. It's a fast read but honestly I am finding it hard to believe the talking zombie thing. But I am slowly being convinced due to Mr. Keene's ability to use believeable living characters. Some action or horror writers are sloppy with dialogue and focus on action and jumps. Not Keene. He shows us how to do it right.

[zombiekilling101]

The gung-ho black girl and the bad ending.

frankie was my least favorite character in it, but i liked the ending..

and john d, where do you get all these hot ass chicks for your avatar?

[JohnDRobinson]

john d, where do you get all these hot ass chicks for your avatar?

Dedicated to the female form. I just come upon these pics and make them avatars. No big thing.

The Rising movie would be pretty out there.

[zombiekilling101]

I dont think the rising movie would work. i mean, the freakin book is as gory as hell, and the gore and violence adds alot of depth to the actual story, so naturally to reach an R rating there goign to have to cut alot of it out, and in return cut alot of the good story out as well.

A big scene as an example is when teh army grunt "skip" is dropped off the helicopter and ripped to pieces.

[JohnDRobinson]

If you get the right director and studio behind the project it could really work. Zombies are hot and it's very cinematic. More so than a lot nonsense that gets made lately. And there is a way to shoot gore and violence without making it obvious.

[zombiekilling101]

I do everything upfront and visual, how would you go about filming this?

[JohnDRobinson]

You can build up to the gore. Much like the original Dawn -- the finale was gorefest -- though most of the movie was not (more or less). You can do a lot of it off screen and show a lot of the implications (like Se7en) but also pay it off with certain scenes. It's not about the gore, I think. It's really about how you present it. Movies today are (sadly) imply don't show.

[zombiekilling101]

yeah but if you have the money and talent to show the gore upfront, like in dawn 04, than naturally your going to show it. And with a movie wiht the potential to fail or succed as this one, than you know the producers are going to tear it apart to try to milk all the "cool" factors they can get.

[JohnDRobinson]

Depends who get to make. Someone who actually loves the book are someone who wants to make money.

[Ark]

The Rising would make an exelent movie. Reading it was like watching a movie. It was just written that way.

[Brian_Keene]

Just an update: Leisure will release a second printing in June, to coincide with the release of City of the Dead.

And expect more cominc and movie news before the end of summer.

[Divided Soul]

Nice!!!!!!!

[Tainted Love]

Okay okay so I'm really behind on zombie books. I just finished "The Rising". I have to admit I'm not so keen on the ending. I want to know what happens!!! :x Although I do know there is "City of the Dead" I can pick up which hopefully explains things. It's just going to have to wait until after Harry Potter. :)

[Divided Soul]

Harry Potter!!! Damn you Dumbledor!! :) Just kidding! Yes the rising starts off right where the rising left off. Great stuff!

[Brian_Keene]

I have to admit I'm not so keen on the ending.

Ha! Nice pun! :)

Just in case any of you are having trouble getting them through your local bookstore, you can get SIGNED second printings of The Rising here: http://store.yahoo.com/shocklines/ribybrkebpa2.html

(No, it's not a scam. I signed them for the store).

[Ark]

Damn, my local bookstores don't carry The Rising, and I bought their entire stock of City of the Dead, which apparently consisted of ONE copy.

[Travis Adkins]

I just started The Rising today. About 100 pages in.

I love that it takes place in my home state of West Virginia and so far no "Wrong Turn" cliche West Virginia-isms. (Hey, we're not all hicks and hillbillies!) I love it.

The book takes place south of here... I'm north, near Pennsylvania, in the Morgantown area (C'mon guys, home of the Mountaineers! You got Pittsnoggled!) Anyone know if the plot brings the characters into my area?

(I love the mention of Beckley...)

[zombiekilling101]

ark- i would suggest reading the rising first once you find it. You dont have to but it would make you feel for the characters alot more.

[JFAK075]

Hey all,
Just finished reading Keene's The Rising (literally just finished). Was anyone else put off by this ending? I can not believe it ended as a cliff-hanger. From the first chapter, or so, I've been waiting to read if Jim's boy was alive or not. I assume he was not. Any thoughts on what happened? Love to hear them.
Thanks,
John

[The Blind Dead]

It was a set-up for a sequel. Have you begun reading City of the Dead yet?

[Pain]

Merged with the original Rising thread.

[zombiekilling101]

I'll probably to a re-read of this one. Ive gone back to parts to brush up on it, still really great.

[JFAK075]

Hey,
na, I haven't read City of the Dead yet. I will though. Just thought the ending od The Rising was a let-down (getting to the end and not finding out what happened to the son). But, if the story continues in the next book, I can live with that. And the story was well written and well worth reading.
-John

[zombiekilling101]

Hey,
na, I haven't read City of the Dead yet. I will though. Just thought the ending od The Rising was a let-down (getting to the end and not finding out what happened to the son). But, if the story continues in the next book, I can live with that. And the story was well written and well worth reading.
-John

yes you will find out what happens to Danny. As Jim, Martin and Frankie. The ending in City explains alot more, dont know if you'll like it though.

[JFAK075]

zombiekilling101,
thanks for the info, man. I'll try and pick the book up this week. I'm not against an unhappy ending, just cliff-hangers. But, I will read "City" and find out.
Thanks again,
John

[Barbra's brother]

I've read both The Rising and City of the Dead, and they were both well written, quick paced books. They offer a totally different reason for a zombie uprising. Although enjoyable reads, I found myself extremely disappointed with both the cliffhanger ending of the first book, and the very final ending of it's sequel. I had no problem finding either book, they were both avail. in my local supermarket's book section of all places!

[Splat!]

Wow, The Rising was an amazing book. I heard about the book first here, and when I went to the book store looking for it, they only had City of the Dead so I bought that not realizing that it was the sequal. So then I had to wait a week so I could go to a different book store to pick up The Rising. The ending of the first one didn't really seem like an ending at all, but since I had the second book already I could just continue with the story immediatly. The last chapter of the first book is the first chapter of the second book. These books must have broken the record for the amount of times the words 'Intestines' was used.

That book about worms ruling the world seems like it might be an interesting read. I'll have to look into it once it comes out.

[zombiekilling101]

That book about worms ruling the world seems like it might be an interesting read. I'll have to look into it once it comes out.

Not just any worms.. I'm still pissed that I missed the deadline to order the limited hardback.. now I have to wait till 07!

[JFAK075]

Yep,
City of the Dead was a great read. I actually loved the ending.
-John

[zombiekilling101]

Yep,
City of the Dead was a great read. I actually loved the ending.
-John

I liked the 2 endings very much.. I prefer City of Rising though just becasue.. its beautiful

[Splat!]

Not just any worms.. I'm still pissed that I missed the deadline to order the limited hardback.. now I have to wait till 07!

Darn, that's a long wait for what sounds like an interesting read.

I'm only about 75 pages into City of the Dead, but I'll have it done in a couple days.

[zombiekilling101]

Darn, that's a long wait for what sounds like an interesting read.

I'm only about 75 pages into City of the Dead, but I'll have it done in a couple days.

awesome.. the beginning kinda lagged just becasue of the rehash of things.. but I prefer it over the 1st.

Im thinking of buying Earthworm Gods off of ebay right now.. but its a pretty penny coming in at 85 bucks including shipping.. but I havent been dissapointed by Keene yet.

[Brian_Keene]

Sorry it's been so long since I responded. Been finishing up the final draft of THE HOLLOW: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0553587390/qid=1130414589/sr=1-5/ref=sr_1_5/102-7049522-3944111?v=glance&s=books

TRAVIS: Nothing near Morgantown, I'm afraid--although you'll see a book set in that location soon (I'm about halfway done writing it).

REGARDING THE ENDING: Common misconception is that it was a set up for a sequel. It was not. When I finished THE RISING, I had no plans to write CITY OF THE DEAD. It was supposed to be a 'lady or the tiger' ending--meaning, you, the reader, decided what happened next. (A fine example of this is John Carpenter's remake of THE THING). Personally, I figured the two gunshots you hear were Jim shooting Danny (who had become a zombie) and then shooting himself. I thought others would see that too. I was wrong. It was a first novel, and I was not yet a capable enough writer to pull such an ending off. I realized I ****ed up. Thus, you got CITY OF THE DEAD. ;)

REGARDING EARTHWORM GODS: You don't have to wait until 2007, and you don't have to spend $85 on eBay for a hardcover. The book will be out in paperback in May 2006. However, it will have a different title. The hardcover is called EARTHWORM GODS. The paperback is called THE CONQUEROR WORMS. Same book, different title.

REGARDING FINDING BOOKS: If you can't find THE RISING or CITY OF THE DEAD at your local bookstore, you can find them here: http://www.briankeene.com/bookstore.html Scroll down till you find the book you're looking for. In the case of THE RISING and CITY OF THE DEAD, you can even get the paperbacks pre-signed (if ordered from some of the participating booksellers).

As always, I appreciate the support, gang. The folks here at ATZ are a BIG reason why sales of THE RISING and CITY OF THE DEAD did so well. You mean a lot to me.

[zombiekilling101]

REGARDING EARTHWORM GODS: You don't have to wait until 2007, and you don't have to spend $85 on eBay for a hardcover. The book will be out in paperback in May 2006. However, it will have a different title. The hardcover is called EARTHWORM GODS. The paperback is called THE CONQUEROR WORMS. Same book, different title.

.
he.. too late # 308

[Splat!]

Well I finished City of the Dead, awesome the whole way through. The ending surprised me. The way they were talking about how a certain percentage of life has to be destroyed before the plant guys can be released had me thinking that they were going to hole up somewhere and survive. I'd imagine after two or three months everything would be decayed enough to come out of hiding.

Of course I'd imagine most species on the planet would have been wiped out so they'd be stuck eating vegetables and fruit all the time.

sorry for the long gaps between my posts here but I'm an interstate truck driver and currently I'm only home one day a week, so that's all the time I have to post. One thing I do have though is plently of time to read. I'm looking forward to The Conquerer Worms in May

[nyteKrawlerr]

let me start by saying that i did the impossible with both these books! each only took me a day and a half to finish....which is unbelievable to me since im a slow reader and tend to get distracted way to easy. however that was not the case with either book!

now then, the thing i would love to see or know...will there be a 3rd book in the Rising series? why i ask this is simple, Ob explains that after he destories all human/animal life, his brother ab i think was insect/plant life, while api and apu were the destoriers of planets....

now then, i remember reading in one of the books that Ob mentions that after all planets are destoried that they would take their cause to God's kingdom...

if everyone that died is now in the kingdom of heaven, will we ever get to see a battle between ob/ab/api and apu vs god's heaven? i think it would be an amazing read, maybe even seeing jim made a warrior in god's army?!

well any hoo, just been wondering...

~nyte

[Splat!]

I looked at his website www.briankeene.com and he has a book called The Rising: Selected Scenes From the End of the World. I was looking at the forum to try and get some more info but unfortunalty it looks like a hacker hit their site and deleted all their threads. The new thread's conversation left off where it used to be so it's hard to follow. Maybe Mr. Keene could clear that up the next visit

[raym]

The website was awesome ^_^

[nyteKrawlerr]

oh and i forgot to mention i had read Michio Kaku's Hyperspace, which devels into the science/history of hyperspace, parrallel universes, wormholes, and other fascinating concepts and theories of the physical universe. none the less, it kind of took me by surprise that Brain Keene had done research on the idea of the void as a parrallel universe (physical theorist such as hawking as well as other's have discussed the possiblity that there might be multiple dimensions, which might include what the bible calls heaven and hell) so that made the book abit more interesting at the idea....to be honest on my way to do my two week reserve duty in washington, i was thinking of an idea for a short story about using that same theory in a story....it wasnt until i came back home to florida that i finally got the book. and was astonished to read it! it made the whole experience much more exciting!

~nyte

[zombiekilling101]

I pretty sure that Brian said there wasnt going to be a third book in the rising series.. just short stories. Although Ive always wanted to see some Angels fight some demons and whatnot.....

That book about the alternate universes.... right up my alley. i must pick it up

[Brian_Keene]

(Nyte--I used to drive truck, too. Strictly short haul) ;)

Without spoiling it for folks who haven't read City of the Dead--I doubt I'll ever right a direct sequel.

However:

There will be a book of short stories based in that universe.

You will see some of the characters pop up elsewhere... (how's that for cryptic?)

And...an ALL THINGS ZOMBIE exclusive... I got an idea the other day for a novel that would take place in this universe, but wouldn't involve the characters you know and love.

So we'll see. In truth, were I to write it, it would be several years from now, based on the novels I'm currently contracted for.

[nyteKrawlerr]

brian - cool, lol maybe i should become my own publisher and contract you to write a 3rd part to the rising series! muahaha i have hatched my most evilist evil plan ever yet....j/k ;)

i will definately keep an eye out for any and all other books you write. like i said rising and the city were awesome books, as well as terminal was a great book indeed! very different then those two books but still well written with a great plot and story behind it...

zombiekilling101 - the book "hyperspace" talks in depth of everything that has to do with past, present and future of physics...it really focues on the possiblity of unifying all laws of nature under one dimension, and based on that the ideal is that in the 10th dimension...we will have mastered the universe as well as wurmhole, hyperspace and interdimensional travel as well as time travel...it talks about einstein's work, riemann's work (he preceeded einstein), as well as others such as hinton and hawkings to name a few.

anyways peace, i'll see yall laters!
~nyte

[zombiekilling101]

cant wait for the labryinth Brian.

nytekrawler: that sounds very interesting.. i need to pick it up

[Brian_Keene]

Thanks, guys!