As a fan of most post-apocalyptic zombie tales, The Feeding, Anthony Ryan‘s latest novel peaked my interest. I’m always interested in seeing how authors put their own spin on this horror sub-genre, and The Feeding delivers with a fresh take on a familiar premise.
Fifteen years ago the feeders rose from the shadows to transform the world into a graveyard. The few survivors exist in fortified settlements surrounded by the empty ruins of a destroyed civilization. For years the citizens of New City Redoubt have relied on an elite cadre of Crossers to navigate the feeder-infested wasteland between settlements in order to trade for vital supplies. But the Outside is becoming ever more dangerous, and the ranks of the Crossers grow thinner with every crossing.
Layla, only a child when the Feeding destroyed the old world, spends her days scavenging the ruins for valuable scrap and her nights helping her adoptive family eke a living from the Redoubt’s only movie theater. Now, with her father slowly dying, Layla resolves to join the Crossers to retrieve the medicine that can save him. Smart, ruthless, and fast on her feet, Layla quickly gains the respect of her fellow Crossers. But, in a world lost to the deadliest predators, can even the most cunning prey survive?
Anthony Ryan’s The Feeding blends elements you might find in The Last of Us, The Walking Dead, The Maze Runner, and even a touch of classics like Mad Max. However, it’s not a copy of any of these, but echoes of each can be felt through the book. Fans of those series can likely find something to enjoy when reading The Feeding. While the premise is not groundbreaking at first glance, Ryan really brings a fresh take with his story including some unique characteristics we have not seen much in other stories.
As a longtime fan of Robert Kirkman‘s The Walking Dead comics and Jay Bonansinga novels, I occasionally found myself wishing The Feeding took place in that universe. But that’s more about my personal feelings to those other books than any fault of the author’s story. If fact, Ryan’s writing is strong enough to stand on its own, it even reminded me of other fantastic post-apocalyptic zombie novels that I love.
The Feeding delivers of ton of action, gore, loss, intense competition, and even at moments some heart. This blend made for a wonderful journey that was as thrilling as it was heartfelt. The fast pace kept me hooked and hit all the marks I look for in a post-apocalyptic tale. For me, I was lucky enough to listen to the audiobook, narrated by Devon Sorvari, which added another level of immersion to the story, making it great for those on the go.
The Feeding hits bookstores everywhere on August 12, 2025 from Blackstone Publishing. The audiobook is available for preorder via Libro.fm!
