Synopses & Reviews
The acclaimed author of
Chimera and
The Hydra Protocol delivers his spectacular breakout novel—an entertaining, page-turning zombie epic that is sure to become a classic
Anyone can be positive . . .
Years after a plague killed 99 percent of the population, turning them into infectious zombies, Finnegan and his family live in a barricaded New York City, safe from danger. But Finn's sheltered life fractures when his unsuspecting mother falls sick with the zombie disease—latent inside her since before her son's birth.
Finn, too, can be infected. At any time, the zombie virus could explode in his body, turning him from a rational human into a ravenous monster. If he remains healthy for the last two years of the potential incubation period, he'll be cleared. Until then, he must be moved to a special facility for positives, segregated to keep the healthy population safe.
Tattooed with a plus sign on his hand that marks him as a positive, Finn is exiled from the city. But when marauders kill the escort sent to transport him, Finn must learn how to survive alone in an eerie, disintegrated landscape. To make it to safety, he must embark on a perilous cross-country journey across an America transformed—a dark and deadly land populated with unlikely heroes, depraved villains, murderous madmen, and hordes of ravenous zombies. And though the zombies are everywhere, Finn discovers that the real danger is his fellow humans.
A compelling coming-of-age story and riveting tale of suspense filled with unforgettable characters and explosive action, Positive is an electrifying thriller that raises thoughtful questions about our own humanity.
Review
“Wow! What a great book. I absolutely devoured it. With POSITIVE, horror master David Wellington has given us a true zombie epic. Sweeping, nuanced, brutal and compelling. Its Davids best, which is saying a lot.” Jonathan Maberry, New York Times bestselling author of Predator One and Bits & Pieces on POSITIVE
Review
“A tantalizing and terrifying new take on the zombie mythos, David Wellingtons POSITIVE buzzes with dark, malignant energy. But just beneath the surface of the young protagonists journey hums a powerful subtext essaying … the brutal rites of coming-of-age. Wow! Highly recommended.” Jay Bonansinga, New York Times bestselling author of Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead: Descent on POSITIVE
Review
“One of the best zombie novels Ive read in years. The heart of the zombie story has always been humanity. Positive is a harrowing, brutal, brilliant look at that heart...and its still beating.” New York Times bestselling author Seanan McGuire on POSITIVE
Review
“Combining action and horror and featuring a sympathetic if naïve hero, this is a great addition to the zombie canon from Wellington. Finns journey has an epic scale that seems destined for movie screens. In this postapocalyptic world the horror arises mostly from the violent remnants of humanity.” Library Journal (starred review) on POSITIVE
Review
“If John Wyndham had written a zombie novel, it might very well have resembled Wellingtons clever apocalyptic thriller….Finns personal growth is plausible as he grapples with the ethics of survival, and the story displays an imagination familiar to fans of Wellingtons Chimera.” Publishers Weekly on POSITIVE
Review
“Wellingtons most ambitious book is also his best, written with a maturity and compassion indicative of a writer whos found the story he was made to tell. Zombie groupies will eat this one up, but it should also be recommended to readers of all epic-scale fantasy.” Booklist on POSITIVE
Review
“Positive is an excellent novel for those just starting to explore the post-apocalyptic genre while also a satisfying read for the diehard fans out there that are well versed in the worlds of zombies and the end of the world as we know it.” New York Journal of Books on POSITIVE
Synopsis
In the bestselling vein of Guillermo Del Toro and Justin Cronin, the acclaimed author of
Chimera and
The Hydra Protocol delivers his spectacular breakout novel—an entertaining page-turning zombie epic that is sure to become a classic.
Anyone can be positive . . .
The tattooed plus sign on Finnegan's hand marks him as a Positive. At any time, the zombie virus could explode in his body, turning him from a rational human into a ravenous monster. His only chance of a normal life is to survive the last two years of the potential incubation period. If he reaches his twenty-first birthday without an incident, he'll be cleared.
Until then, Finn must go to a special facility for positives, segregated from society to keep the healthy population safe. But when the military caravan transporting him is attacked, Finn becomes separated. To make it to safety, he must embark on a perilous cross-country journey across an America transformed—a dark and dangerous land populated with heroes, villains, madmen, and hordes of zombies. And though the zombies are everywhere, Finn discovers that the real danger may be his fellow humans.
Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome meets World War Z and I Am Legend in this thrilling tale that has it all: a compelling story, great characters, and explosive action, making Positive the ultimate zombie novel of our time.
About the Author
David Wellington was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where George Romero's classic zombie films were shot. He is the author of an online zombie serial, the Monster Island trilogy; Thirteen Bullets, a serialized vampire novel; and the Jim Chapel missions, including the digital shorts "Minotaur" and "Myrmidon," and the novels Chimera and The Hydra Protocol. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.