The Walking Dead has been one of my favorite worlds to live in (ironically enough) over the past however many years. Robert Kirkman created a fantastic comic series at Image Comics that led to a television series, that led to many more tv series. All of which I enjoyed very much, but it’s Jay Bonansinga‘s The Walking Dead series of novels that really had me hooked, not as much, but close to how I was with the comic. Immersed.
The first four novels where co-written by Kirkman and Bonansinga, but the later four were title with Kirkman’s name but written by Bonansinga with approval by Kirkman. There is a mix of what you’d expect or characters you knew from the comics in the first few books, but then focuses mostly on Lilly Caul and her rise to the leader she becomes.
These novels are great because they allow fans of the original material to expand on the universe, but are amazing for those who know little of the comics or original characters and just enjoy reading prose stories. There is enough crossover to satisfy the itch of longtime readers, but not too much to scare away those with little knowledge.
It’s been a journey and it was well-worth it.
The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor
The Governor stands out as one of the greatest villains, not only in The Walking Dead universe, but in all of comics, television and film. The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor explores how The Governor became the man he is, and what drove him to such extremes.
In The Walking Dead universe, there is no greater villain than The Governor. The despot who runs the walled-off town of Woodbury, he has his own sick sense of justice: whether it’s forcing prisoners to battle zombies in an arena for the townspeople’s amusement, or chopping off the appendages of those who cross him. Now, discover how The Governor became the man he is, and what drove him to such extremes.
Few have been able to even take a stab at writing stories for The Walking Dead in print media outside of Robert Kirkman himself, but one of those few is New York Times bestselling author Jay Bonansinga. The gifted writer seems to have gotten into the heads of Kirkman’s characters early in the writing process as it shows on each page. He presents plausible scenarios as well as some super gut-wrenching decisions for the survivors.
In Rise of the Governor we get a deeper look into The Governor as a character and his motivations that were touched on in the comics and TV series. Bonansinga delves into his past and provides context for his crazy actions and why he is such a complex and compelling character.
The Governor is a messed up guy and we get to see what into making him this way. While he is an awful character, Rise of the Governor changes the way we feel towards the antagonist as it shows us how much he went through prior to arriving at Woodbury giving some depth to the character. By exploring his backstory and experiences while traversing the broken world, we gain insight into his transformation from a survivor to a ruthless leader willing to do anything to protect his people and keep his power.
Bonansinga takes characters created by Kirkman fleshes them out. Their interactions are realistic and showcase their strengths and vulnerabilities. The characters are deep and engaging allowing us to connect with them on a personal level. The dynamics between them add depth to their stories and keep us invested in their fates.
This origin story of The Governor is haunting, atmospheric and complements both the comics and TV series perfectly in a way I didn’t think was possible. Fans of The Walking Dead will appreciate this deeper dive into one of its most iconic characters. While we only get a glimpse of the character in other media, Rise of the Governor really enhances our understanding of him while also providing a gripping story that adds to The Walking Dead universe.
The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor by Robert Kirkman and Jay Bonansinga is truly a must-read for all The Walking Dead fans. While the comics reign supreme over all other media, this novel follows closely to the original story told by Kirkman. The story is compelling with a chilling atmosphere delivering an engaging story that leaves us wanting more.
The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor is available at bookstores everywhere. The audiobook, narrated by Fred Berman, is available via Libro.fm!
The Walking Dead: Road to Woodbury
The big draw towards reading these The Walking Dead novels is learning more about those who they only touch on in the main comic series or the television show. That’s why books such as The Walking Dead: Road to Woodbury by Robert Kirkman and Jay Bonansinga are important. One of the drawback so such a novel is that it kind of paused the momentum of what we got started in Rise of the Governor.
The zombie plague unleashes its horrors on the suburbs of Atlanta without warning, pitting the living against the dead. Caught in the mass exodus, Lilly Caul struggles to survive in a series of ragtag encampments and improvised shelters. But the Walkers are multiplying. Dogged by their feral hunger for flesh and crippled by fear, Lilly relies on the protection of good Samaritans by seeking refuge in a walled-in town once known as Woodbury, Georgia.
At first, Woodbury seems like a perfect sanctuary. Squatters barter services for food, people have roofs over their heads, and the barricade expands, growing stronger every day. Best of all, a mysterious self-proclaimed leader named Philip Blake keeps the citizens in line. But Lilly begins to suspect that all is not as it seems…Blake, who has recently begun to call himself The Governor, has disturbing ideas about law and order.
Ultimately, Lilly and a band of rebels open up a Pandora’s box of mayhem and destruction when they challenge The Governor’s reign…and the road to Woodbury becomes the highway to hell.
In Rise of the Governor we learned who the Governor actually was and what led him to become the horrible person and eventual leader of Woodbury. Now, Road to Woodbury we learn about Lilly Caul and her journey to said place. While this was necessary for furthering this side storyline to the main Walking Dead universe, it was a bit of a letdown not focusing on the Governor. Luckily it was only for the first half of the book. It’s the second half of Road to Woodbury where we end up back at Woodbury and connect back up the final chapter of the first book.
Getting to know Lilly was a great ride, learning how she was shaped into the harden character we come to know. This is not a knock at that storyline, just a knock at a switch in momentum. Caul really is the focus character in this books series, as we will get to follow her a bit more after moving on from the Governor.
Road to the Governor sets up the events we all have come to know from the comic and television series where some well known character eventually make their appearance in The Fall of the Governor.
While the story took a momentum switch in The Walking Dead: Road to Woodbury, Jay Bonansinga does a great job introducing us to Lilly Caul and getting us setup for the epic events that take place in the next two books. A must-read to understand the rest of the series.
The Walking Dead: The Road to Woodbury is available at bookstores everywhere. The audiobook, narrated by Fred Berman, is available via Libro.fm!
The Walking Dead: The Fall of the Governor: Part I and II
The Walking Dead novel saga continues with The Fall of the Governor by Robert Kirkman and Jay Bonansinga. This storyline that runs parallel with the comics, crossing over at moments, expands The Walking Dead universe in a gritty and gut-wrenching way.
In The Fall of the Governor, the Governor’s descent into madness finally erupts in a tour de force of action and horror. Beloved characters from the comic book, including Rick, Michonne, and Glenn, finally make their entrance onto this nightmarish stage, and fans of The Walking Dead will see these characters in a whole new light. Simmering grudges boil over into unthinkable confrontations, battle lines are drawn, and unexpected twists seal the fates of the innocent and guilty alike.
Where The Rise of the Governor brought us along The Governor’s journey to power, we now follow the fall of one of The Walking Dead’s most iconic villains. In The Fall of the Governor we are treated to a face-paced story with some pretty intense scenes. The co-authors do not shy away from exploring dark themes and pushing boundaries, making this book a truly immersive horror experience.
While the characters and plot of The Walking Dead was conceived by Kirkman, Bonansinga’s contribution is evident in these novels. As he expands upon the existing storylines and introduces new perspectives we can really see Bonansinga’s stamp on the story. While not without flaws, The Fall of the Governor is an easy read that delivers a gruesome story and adds to the lore of the zombie universe.
Bringing in such beloved characters from the comics such as Rick, Michonne and Glenn but from a different vantage point adds to the legitimacy of these novels and connects them even more to the comics world. Their actions and decisions take on a whole new meaning in light of the Governor’s escalating madness. By filling in gaps of the comic storyline while also offering a new and unique perspective, The Fall of the Governor adds another layer to The Walking Dead universe as a whole.
The Walking Dead: The Fall of the Governor Parts One and Two is not as good as the first book in this series, but adds another bit to the overall story and the more we can get in The Walking Dead universe the happier I will be overall. This book offers fresh insight, intense scenes and some gruesome action sequences that will make any fan of a horror novels excited. As this series moves along we cannot wait to see where Jay Bonansinga takes us.
Originally released as two separate novels, The Walking Dead: The Fall of the Governor – Part One and Two can be read as one novel and is available at bookstores everywhere. The audiobooks for Part I and Part II, narrated by Fred Berman, are available via Libro.fm!
The Walking Dead: Descent
The first four books in the prose novel The Walking Dead series revolve mostly around the villain The Governor, his rise and fall in Woodbury. This is the overall draw towards the series, in addition to the fact they give more depth to the character. However, The Walking Dead: Descent heads back to the basics of the apocalypse and deals mostly with the threats of the walkers themselves for the most part.
Out of the ashes of its dark past, Woodbury, Georgia, becomes an oasis of safety amidst the plague of the walking dead – a town reborn in the wake of its former tyrannical leader, Philip Blake, aka The Governor. Blake’s legacy of madness haunts every nook and cranny of this little walled community, but Lilly Caul and a small ragtag band of survivors are determined to overcome their traumatic past… despite the fact that a super-herd is closing in on them.
This vast stampede of zombies, driven by inexorable hunger and aimed directly at Woodbury, becomes their first true test. But Lilly and company refuse to succumb, and in a stunning counteroffensive, the beleaguered townspeople save themselves by joining forces with a mysterious religious sect fresh from the wilderness.
Led by an enigmatic preacher named Jeremiah, this rogue church group seems tailor made for Woodbury and Lilly’s dream of a democratic, family-friendly future. The two factions meld into one, the town prospers, and everything seems hopeful for the first time since the plague broke out. But things are often not what they seem. Jeremiah and his followers harbor a dark secret, the evidence of which very gradually begins to unravel.
Descent gives us a glimpse of Lilly as a leader, even if she doesn’t want to be in that position, and how Woodbury is setting itself up for life after the ruling of The Governor. The zombie apocalypse is still ever present and this is the biggest threat now. It’s nice to see the story get back to the basics of why we are in the situation we are in, while also introducing us to a new villain that may or may not be impactful in the future.
While the story is mostly revolved around the evolution of Lilly and Bob, Descent sees the foundation being set for the remainder of the series. Where the town is left after the events of not only the first four books, but also the final 30% of the book. What impact will Jeremiah’s moments in Woodbury have in the future of the rag tag group of survivors.
I signed up to read these books because of my love for The Governor character created by Robert Kirkman and expanded on by Jay Bonansinga, but seeing how these people react to the world without The Governor and fighting back against the zombie hordes was a refreshing read. Waiting to see where Bonansinga takes the series from here.
The Walking Dead: Descent is available at bookstores everywhere. The audiobook, narrated by Fred Berman, is available via Libro.fm!
The Walking Dead: Invasion
Now six books into this series we are past the reign of The Governor and now able to find its own path. The Walking Dead: Invasion is the continuation of Descent with the main villain as Reverend Jeremiah Garlitz. Where I thought he was just part of the end of Descent, he takes more of a lead role in this story, a formidable foe for the group of Woodbury survivors.
Out of the ashes of a devastated Woodbury, Georgia, two opposing camps of ragtag survivors develop – each one on a collision course with the other.
Underground, in the labyrinth of ancient tunnels and mine shafts, Lilly Caul and her motley crew of senior citizens, misfits, and children struggle to build a new life. But a secret ambition still burns in Lilly’s heart and soul. She wants her beloved town of Woodbury back from the plague of walkers, and now the only thing that stands in her way currently roams the wasted backwaters of Georgia…
Way out in the hinterlands, amidst the rising tide of walkers that seem to be pushing in from all directions, the psychotic Reverend Jeremiah Garlitz rebuilds his army of followers with a diabolical secret weapon. He has designs on the destruction of Lilly and her crew – the very people who vanquished his cultish church – and now, for the first time, he has the means to bring a special brand of hell down upon the tunnel dwellers.
The final confrontation between these two human factions unleashes an unthinkable weapon – forged from the monstrous hordes of undead, perfected by a madman, and soaked in the blood of innocents.
Along with The Walking Dead: Descent, The Walking Dead: Invasion carves its own path in The Walking Dead Universe. We are now mostly free of the characters in the main comic universe and Jay Bonansinga gets to craft his own future for this rag tag group of survivors. What makes Invasion a bit more intriguing than Descent is we get the big bad once again. Yes, Reverend Jeremiah Garlitz is featured in the back half of Descent, its Invasion where his true villainous nature shines.
The group of survivors is now stuck in limbo between Woodbury and what lays ahead, Lilly Caul continues to look back, hoping to return to the overrun town they called home. However, in their way is a horde of biters as well as the cunning Reverend Jeremiah, who is hell bent on revenge.
Invasion features a number of characters that all play a big part in the story. We get the growth of our leader Lilly, and in fitting The Walking Dead fashion we get the loss of a beloved character, making the impact on this story hit harder than expected. What lays ahead is anyone’s guess, I just know Lilly has had it with the Reverend and she shows it.
The Walking Dead: Invasion is brutal, emotional, and unforgiving as is most of these stories. Jay Bonansinga takes Robert Kirkman’s world and crafts a tale that lives up to the original material while also expanding into places unknown.
The Walking Dead: Invasion is available at bookstores everywhere. The audiobook, narrated by Fred Berman, is available via Libro.fm!
The Walking Dead: Search and Destroy
I know I said it with The Walking Dead: Invasion, but we are truly past the reign of The Governor in the series with The Walking Dead: Search and Destroy. Even more than before. This is where the story shift complete focus to the group lead by Lilly Caul and Jay Bonansinga takes the tale in a direction that caught me by surprise.
What could possibly go wrong?
For one brief moment, it seems Lilly and her plague-weary band of survivors might just engineer a better tomorrow. Banding together with other small town settlements, they begin a massive project to refurbish the railroad between Woodbury and Atlanta. The safer travel will begin a new post-apocalyptic era of trade, progress, and democracy.
Little do they know, however, that trouble is brewing back home …
Out of nowhere, a brutal new faction has attacked Woodbury while Lilly and the others have been off repairing the railroad. Now the barricades are burning. Adults have been murdered, children kidnapped. But why? Why subject innocent survivors to such a random, unprovoked assault?
Lilly Caul and her ragtag posse of rescuers will soon discover the chilling answers to these questions and more as they launch a desperate mission to save the kidnapped children. But along the way, the dark odyssey will take them into a nightmarish series of traps and hellish encounters with incomprehensible swarms of undead.
And as always, in the world of The Walking Dead, the walkers will prove to be the least of Lilly’s problems. It’s what the human adversaries have in store for her that will provide Lilly’s greatest challenge yet.
The Walking Dead: Search and Destroy reminded me that there is so much more to the world of The Walking Dead beyond what we all read in the comics, the television show, or even the video games. While the focus to get people to read these stories originally was the connection to the main storyline by using The Governor and with a small crossover featuring Rick’s group, we are now fully intrenched in a story that has nothing to do with that group, but still lays squarely in the same universe.
Bonansinga crafts a story with Search and Destroy where he reminds us that walkers are the biggest villain in these stories and that honest, hardworking, and real people will outlive those horrible people who have led these awful groups, even if there are still a few of these groups lingering around.
Search and Destroy introduces a new type of villain, one where they are doing horrible things in the name of what they believe is right. Unlike most other groups we have encountered in any of the different medium of story, where they are really bad people in roles of leadership either outright known or hiding their true nature. This story features a group doing something we all thought was in the past after most of the world collapsed, but are they going about it the right way and is there more to the story?
Bonansinga pushes Lilly Caul to her limits and even beyond in this book. She has already been through the wringer over the first six books and before, but now she is on the brink and yet again survives the day. It’s proof that Caul is such an amazing crafted character and one that gives these novels even more ground to stand on.
The Walking Dead: Search and Destroy proves that this series of novels has evolved far beyond being just a companion to the comics or television show. Jay Bonansinga delivers an intense and emotionally driven story that pushes Lilly Caul to her absolute breaking point while expanding the universe we have all come to know so well. Search and Destroy is a brutal reminder that The Walking Dead still has plenty of terrifying stories to be told.
The Walking Dead: Search and Destroy is available at bookstores everywhere. The audiobook, narrated by Fred Berman, is available via Libro.fm!
The Walking Dead: Return to Woodbury
A bittersweet moment in The Walking Dead universe for me, the final novel in the Jay Bonansinga written series of novels is here with The Walking Dead: Return to Woodbury. It all boils down to this, a fitting ending to the novel series.
To risk everything…
She has weathered over four years of the apocalypse. She has done things that she would not have dreamt of doing in her darkest nightmares. But she has survived. And now, she has staked a claim in the plague-ravaged city of Atlanta. It is a safe haven for her people, rising high above the walker-ridden streets, a place of warmth and comfort.
But for Lilly Caul, something is missing…
She still dreams of her former home―the quaint little village known as Woodbury―a place of heartache as well as hope. For Lilly, Woodbury, Georgia, has become a symbol of the future, of family, of a return to normal life amidst this hell on earth. The call is so powerful that Lilly decides to risk everything in order to go back… to reclaim that little oasis in the wilderness.
Against all odds, against the wishes of her people, Lilly leads a ragtag group of true believers back across the impossible landscape of walker swarms, flooded rivers, psychotic bands of murderers, and dangers the likes of which she has never known. Along the way, she discovers a disturbing truth about herself. She is willing to go to the darkest place in order to survive, in order to save her people, in order to do the one thing she knows she has to do: Return to Woodbury.
What is crazy about these eight novels is that I never really understood if they were about The Governor’s reign, Lilly Caul, or the physical town of Woodbury. These all started off with The Governor, his rise and fall, but later was focused on Lilly’s growth in leadership, but after it was all said and done, it was always about returning to Woodbury. A place with so many memories after the fall, both good and absolutely horrendous.
In the end, it really is about how Lilly Caul became such a fantastic heroine, one that would stand up to the quality of the comics or even the television show. She only appeared in a few comics and was combined with April Chalmers in the tv show to create Lilly Chambler. This allowed her to shine in the novel series and we are happy for that.
Like the previous novel, Return to Woodbury pushes Lilly to her limits and causes her to end up in some pretty precarious positions. Her grit and determination rules out in the end, but like Walking Dead fashion others around her may not be as lucky.
Even if the first half of these stories are the better part, it’s the fact that I was able to live in The Walking Dead Universe for this long and enjoyed every moment of it. Bonansinga isn’t crafting award-winning, game-changing stories here, but ones that further the lore of the universe as well as keep us at the edge of our seats throughout.
The Walking Dead: Return to Woodbury feels like saying goodbye to an old group of friends you’ve traveled beside for years. While this is an expansion on Robert Kirkman’s original series, Jay Bonansinga succeeds in delivering a satisfying finale to the series and at the place that meant so much to us all.
The Walking Dead: Return to Woodbury is available at bookstores everywhere. The audiobook, narrated by Fred Berman, is available via Libro.fm!
