The Walking Dead: The Road to Woodbury

The second novel in the Walking Dead adaptations, The Road to Woodbury does not disappoint. Following on from the climactic end to Rise of the Governor, this Walking Dead novel takes it into the Governor's community as Lilly becomes the latest inhabitant.As the novel begins, Lilly is living in a makeshift encampment with her friend Josh. Josh is busy hammering stakes into tents to secure the area when the dead attack the compound. Josh is left to tackle the onslaught as Lilly runs and hides, unable to face the threat. But as the threat is soon dealt with and Josh emerges unscathed, Lilly can't cope with the guilt of leaving him to defend himself. By some miracle, Lilly saves a few children hiding with them, but one of the teenagers is turned, and the father blames Lilly for being unable to save his girl. During the funeral he takes her aside and attacks her, breaking her ribs and Josh dives in to protect her. Following these events, Josh, Lilly and a small number of survivors leave the compound and head off in the wilderness, which will lead them eventually to Woodbury.All of this action takes place in just a couple of chapters, and this is just right, as their arrival at Woodbury and the development of that community is what grips the reader. The threat of winter is approaching, the small group entering Woodbury has nothing, and they have to rely on the community to keep them warm, safe and alive, away from the walking dead.This novel is very much about establishing the character dynamics as much as the action taking place. Speaking of action; it is bloody, visceral and brutal. Yet the text itself is also poetic and poignant at times. Bonansinga's text, in conjunction with Kirkman's story creates a truly enjoyable background to the comic books and the TV series, enabling us more insight into the Governor's motivations, the depth of variety of characters in Woodbury and the tension slowly building in the compound.Lilly, who is the focus viewpoint of the novel, grows into a strong, powerful woman who jumps up from the page, just as Josh, who is physically powerful, is quite a gentle character yet a vibrant presence in the novel. At the end of the book characters have changed, developed and adopted new priorities. This is a good, solid adaptation that adds to the whole Walking Dead universe.

A Walking Dead group I belong to recommended this book, along with 'Rise of the Governor' as interesting backstory to the TV series (which is based on a series of graphic novels). I truly enjoyed the book. It centres on a completely different group of survivors until they eventually arrive at Woodbury and it's still early days in Woodbury before Andrea & Michonne stumble across it.If you like the TV series I recommend this book (but read Rise of the Governor first)

Kirkman's writing style is probably much better suited to comics; the prose is theis is less polished, and the constantly switching of viewpoins, which works perfectly in the graphic novel/TV script media, can be a little jarring compared to more "writerly" novelists. That siad, the action is non-stop, and filling in the backstory on the Walking Dead universe is more than welcome.

Another very good book with alot of action and twists and turns. Not as good as the first book but that's to be expected, but the ending has set up the 3rd book nicely, which I now can't wait to read! I read a review on this book which slated it, as Lilly doesn't quite fit the personality of her character in The Walking Dead PS3 game, this is true to an extent but it didn't ruin the book for me! An excellent read for any Walking Dead fans!

This book gives the story of another survivor but at half way links into previous book and they seem to follow, cant figure out if this will be in tv show but gives good bacckground to some of the characters and builds a better picture for walking dead fans, would recommend, keep checking for the next book realease cant seem to find one hope this wasn't the last!

Great back story that fits perfectly with the TV program. Its nice to get a back story to what made the Governor the man he is. Brilliantly played in the series by David Morrissey. If you are a zombie fan you will love this.

Not quite as engrossing as the first, particularly as the characters aren't quite as developed and the action can be a little wane, but still a fantastic one-time read.

a good read about zombies

Halfway through & really enjoying the second in the series

Very fast delivery, new book, didn't like the story!

Great thanks

Very little character development, main antagonist doesn't appear until halfway through the book. Item was delivered quickly and without issues.

Being a Walking Dead obsessive, I was pleased to discover these books; no, they're not those awful book-from-the-TV-series written by...

a bit long winded in places but generaliy good

The start of something deeper leading us into the world of a twisted maniac in an insane world.

Good read. But only give this one four stars due to the ending. Good build up of tension towards the end but the finale did not seem to follow the character of the Governor.

Good book

Must have for fans of the series.