dEaDINBURGH: Hunted (Din Eidyn
Corpus #4)
So, my favourite
series of books comes to a final conclusion. I would be dismayed but the ending
of this series leaves a door open for similar fayre from the talented Mark
Wilson (Can’t really elaborate further without spoiling plot..Y’know the score).
Anyone who’s followed my reviews on here will know how much
I’ve enjoyed the series thus far. The story began with the initial imprisonment
of plague sufferers under the grounds of St. Marys church in Edinburgh and how
centuries later all hell was let loose in Edinburgh when the crypts were opened
and zombie-like survivors ate and killed through the population of Modern day
Edinburgh. In a short time, the UK
government erected a wall / fence around the entirety of Edinburgh sealing in
survivours and Zombies (The Ringed) alike.
Throughout the series we have gotten to meet some of the
survivours including the main young heroes of the tales (Alys and Joe), as well
as other regulars like Steph, James and one of my favourite villains of all
time, “Bracha” (whose true identity is revealed in book 3 of the series,
causing your humble narrator to spit out his rice crispies in utter shock and
mirth!) There have been important characters throughout the books, none more
so I guess, than Joe and Steph’s parents and Joes adopted father Figure, Jock.
Wilson brings them all to life with unnerving
reality (especially given the nature / genre of the books) Each and every
character is brought to life, flaws and all. This is no twee Young Adult
series…not by a long chalk. The killings, battles, fights and even the family
relationships are brutal. But there is
humour, sadness and Uplifting moments aplenty throughout all of the first 3
books of the series and (thank you Mr Wilson) an epic good versus evil battle. (theres also a story changing twist to the end of book 2 Deadinburgh,
Alliances). I thought that was it….,game over after the defining book 3 battle. I was gutted. I felt that there was so much
more to build on.
I was right.
This final instalment not only ties up all the loose ends
brilliantly, it also introduces brilliant new characters like The Deacon, Jess,
The Eunuch and a whole new sinister
cult, founded decades earlier when they sealed their privileged arse's in a golf
club house community and its surrounding lands, away from contamination and the
Ringed.
Joe’s father makes an unexpected and unwelcome return and
thankfully, for everyone’s entertainment, the twisted and tortured Bracha
returns.
This is where it’s difficult to discuss without giving
too much away to you unfortunates who haven’t read any of the series.
Behind the scenes of the internal hunts, battles,
infections and slayings is an even more sinister monster…and after Joe and Alys
meet up with Joes father an even bigger event unfolds that puts the entire
world at risk.
Will it survive, will our heroes survive? ..I swear that
I read the final few chapters open mouthed as Wilson uses his literary talents
to paint images of despair, hope, victory, defeat, death and life and more death firmly in your mind’s eye.
I was genuinely happy / sad when it all finally ended as
Wilson has such a brilliant knack of drawing you in emotionally to his characters.
The ending for these particular group was nigh on perfect for me…and around
this ending Wilson intertwined some new twists and tales that firmly opened the
door for a new adventure that left me with a smile on my face whilst my brain
and heart were mourning the final end of the Deadinburgh stories.
I can’t recommend this book (and its 3 predecessors (Vantage,
Alliances and Origins) enough.
