FIRE & ASH, by Jonathan Maberry

The story: St. John's army of reapers is on the move, and nothing stands between them and the death of everyone Benny Imura knows and loves, except for six teenagers--junior "samurai" once taught by Benny's brother Tom. They're just kids, fighting both the zombie plague and the believers in a god who's directing his followers to bring all human life to an end. Big problems. Good thing they're smart kids.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language R; Violence R; nudity PG; Sexual content PG; magic & the occult (putting zombies here because I'm not sure where else they fit!) PG-13; substance abuse PG; adult themes (genocide, evil religions) PG-13; overall rating R.

Liz's comments: I really liked the first two Benny Imura books--strange, because I'm not a zombie fan--but found the third one too dark and violent for me. In the series closer, Maberry continues dark and violent, but offers hope (in the form of a cure for those infected by the zombie plague) and the reestablishment of an American Nation. If you're a big fan of the first two books, are able to overcome the sucker punch delivered by Tom Imura's death in Book 2, and can wade through the blood and gore of Book 3, this is a satisfying end to the series--one where things end up as well as could be hoped, considering the world is seriously screwed up. Don't give this series to 6th graders, though--Books 1 and 2 are for 8th and up, and Books 3-4 are for high school.