By Pamela K. Kinney
Jones, William. Pallid Light: The Walking Dead. Elder Signs Press, January 2010. ISBN: 978-1934501115
Pallid Light: The Walking Dead is the newest horror novel by William Jones, with zombies as the monsters. The story begins with the hero (though he acts more like an anti-hero, especially at the beginning), Rand, as his apartment becomes dark when the power goes. Rain is coming down in a torrent, with odd lights flashing across the sky. A friend of Rand’s, Cada, who also lives in the apartment building, drops by, frightened. With power out all over the town of Temperance and rising flood waters, the situation is naturally scary. But when Rand discovers a neighbor dead and being feasted on by some teenagers, fear takes on a new meaning. Especially when the dead neighbor himself comes to life, hungry for human flesh. Rand fights the monsters and grabs the neighbour’s keys to his SUV. He doesn’t explain what happened to Cada, figuring it better not to. Right after that, another person, Nate, knocks at Rand’s door. Rand’s not happy about Nate’s sudden appearance, but agrees to take him along with them.
Rand, Cada and Nate take off in the neighbour’s vehicle, trying to make sense of what is happening and why. Luminous colours glisten in the rainy skies and the dead stalk their new, terrifying world.
Rand had a hard life before the storm, as a convicted murderer just out of prison. People of the small town knew who and what he was and made his existence difficult. But does life become better for him as he runs into more survivors and they all band together, fighting for their survival? No, for he is still a murderer and there are some that imply that this terror could be his fault. Rand acts as he supposes the people around him might want him to act: tough and all bad-assed, except bit by bit, the good man hidden beneath the skin of the con comes out as he works to save Cada and others from zombies and bad guys. The anti-hero becomes the hero.
When I learned of the reason for the zombies and the storm, it did surprise me. I won’t reveal that and spoil it. Let’s just say it is as much science fiction as horror. As for Rand, life won’t be a bed of roses for him, even at the end. But I suspect there is enough hints on the last pages for me to hope that maybe there will be a sequel. That Rand’s story isn’t quite finished.
I give the book four stars. It was good, though there were a few issues I had with it. I would have liked to have seen more of why Rand is the way he is, why he thought he was as much a monster as the zombies. A little bit more of his background going back to his prison time, even with his father, would have helped. And the reason why he let Cada in more, sharing movie nights on TV with her, than anyone else in Temperance. Flesh out the story, making it more than the world coming to an end with zombies out to eat your face that seems to be the norm with movies and some books these days.
But if you’re looking for a good zombie story to read this winter, this would be the one to get. Just beware: if it’s raining, check for odd lights in the sky. And lock your doors and windows. After all, you never know. Your neighbour might not be coming over to borrow a cup of sugar, but for you.
Purchase Pallid Light: The Walking Dead through Amazon.com