The Road of the Dead, by Kevin Brooks
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
After feeling betrayed by the two books I started after finishing Mancusi's novel Gamer Girl--shame on you John Green and Alex Flinn--I started reading The Road of the Dead somewhat reluctantly. However, I was shocked with the way the book hooked me right from the get-go. An interesting storyline, memorable characters, a break-neck pace, and tons of action made Brooks's book a five-star title for me.
The protagonist is fourteen year-old Ruben, who can involuntarily read minds and see people's thoughts. As he is working on the family car one day, he suddenly gets a vision that his sister--miles away in a small village outside London--is in danger and is about to be attacked. He soon discovers that she was murdered. Frustrated with a stalled police investigation, Ruben's older brother, Cole--a street-fighting, tougher-than-nails bad boy--decides to head to the scene of the crime and discover the truth himself. Ruben convinces Cole that, while he has little control over his telepathic abilities, he would be of aid given their frequency, and Cole finally allows him to come along.
To call Cole heroic would be an understatement. He has the confidence, strength, and iron will that Ruben lacks. Readers learn that the boys' father, Baby-John Ford, was a champion street fighter in London, but is now serving prison time after one battle got out of hand. Cole carries on this legacy, and has a reputation on the streets. While he comes across as a bit too helpless at times, Ruben is still likable, despite the fact that his inaction is maddening in a couple of heart-wrenching scenes. The villains are especially memorable in this one. I'm not sure I have ever hated a character as much as Red, a scoundrel who makes things difficult for Ruben and Cole as they try to uncover the secrets behind their sister's murder. Ironically, he even dresses in a red suit. Trust me, you will despise him just as much as I did.
The pace and action really take this book to another level. Brooks does many things well here, but his greatest asset is getting right to the point. Scenes of inactivity and back story are few and far between. The action is non-stop, and complete with fist fights, group brawls, and shootouts. The fighting scenes read like they were right out of an action movie, without the cheesy special effects and such, fortunately. Violence and some mild language are the only content issues to note.
If I had one criticism it would revolve around Ruben's visions. Sometimes they are kind of confusing and hard to follow. A few crucial scenes are told through visions, and the verb tense actually shifts to the present. Ruben sees and tells the story, but through the eyes of another character. I realize how odd that sounds, but you really have to read the book to see exactly what I mean. Otherwise, the use of the first person point of view works well. I just can't help but think that the book would have worked just fine if Ruben were a normal boy without the ability.
Overall, The Road of the Dead is a book that shouldn't be missed by action and horror fans alike, even if the story actually reads more like a piece of contemporary realistic fiction. I thoroughly enjoyed this roller coaster ride of a story. Brooks addresses themes like family, corruption, and racism. This one is definitely worth your time, and you'll be glad you gave it a shot.
