The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor

As a huge Walking Dead fan, grabbing this series was a no-brainer. Anything and everything having to do with Walking Dead and I'm on it like white on rice. As the first book in this series about the Governor, it was actually pretty darn good. We got to learn more about who he was and how he grew up. We learned 'possibly' how he became the person he was in the show. I say 'possibly' because there are some things in this story that just don't add up to the show. Maybe that's my own fault. I was told that this was kind of the precursor to the Governor that we all loved to hate on TV. Either way, it was a darn good read. As with practically everything in the Walking Dead universe, there were some pretty intense moments. Some 'holy crap' scenes and some down right disgusting ones. It was a gory and horrific read, but really well written. And I did not expect that kind of ending at all. The last two chapters were just one big shock fest. I will admit that there were some slow spots. Some descriptions that just kind of went on and on when I really just wanted to get back to the story at hand. But all in all a good read and I will be continuing the series. I do NOT recommend this for younger readers though. 4 out of 5 stars :)

I may be in the minority by giving it a 5/5, but I did think it was amazing. It's a much-needed backstory to one of the most fearsome villains in the Walking Dead universe. I read this before seeing the comics, so I was at first surprised to see how different this Governor was from the show version, which I like better. That said, this book sucked me in from the first page. It's good, classic zombie fiction, with plenty of gore and mayhem. The characters are compelling and make me care about their arcs. As for plot, it the usual Road plot, where the characters have to run in search of shelter. It moves them toward Woodbury in a logical way. There are graphic bits, of course, but I want that in this kind of book, especially since it's TWD. The style of writing actually influenced how I write my novels. So yes, you can say I liked this book. The ending is the best part.

If you are a fan of The Walking Dead TV show (or the comic, really), these books are a lot of fun. This one was quite interesting to me because I really wanted to know more about the Governor, and this books shows us just how he became who he is. It reads easily and has some nice twists. In my opinion Rober Kirkman is a genius. If his name is attached, I know I am in for a fun and yet simultaneously poignant ride. I've seen every episode of the show, read every comic book issue, and have a fair amount of the toys. The Rise of the Governor (and the books that follow) fit very nicely into the Walking Dead universe. If you are a fan, I'd certainly suggest at least giving it a shot. I personally had a great time reading it.

I became a fan of the Walking Dead like a lot of people, through the TV series. I've only casually glanced at the comics because, firstly I don't want to get too far ahead and spoil it for myself and secondly, I've pretty much outgrown comics and just want to read "big-boy" books now. So when I saw there was a novel about the back story of the Governor I figured I can't go wrong. It doesn't really spoil anything as far as the TV series goes, I get to read a real book, and I get a healthy dose of Walking Dead during the mid-season break. First, the book is a fun, easy read. I read it in about 2 days and enjoyed almost all of it. Does the "third person present tense" ruin it? No, not at all, didn't bother me at all, and I've read many books over the years, some very deep and complex all the way down to the most simplistic. There are many ways to tell a story, and I don't believe in "rule books" for the art. I do however take objection to the many, many mistakes that show their laziness and lack of study in matters they obviously know nothing about. "Ford s-10s", "rich black Georgia soil", incredibly powerful .22 pistols, Central standard Time in North Ga., steel plated revolver?, something that looked to be either a .357 magnum or an army issue 45?? On and on I could go. Really lazy, guys. No proof-reading whatsoever? The "twist' was predictable to me only because I peaked ahead in some comics previews here on Amazon (doh!) Those who've only seen the series and know nearly nothing about the Governor will be surprised I think. Overall a fun read (which reading should be)that gives you a little glimpse behind the curtain while still leaving you craving more. Some proof-reading and study would've made ita 5 star book. I'm looking forward to receiving the follow-up "Road to Woodbury", hopefully it will be more satisfying.

I really like the fact that this book series is starting on the opposite side of the fence. 'The Governor' obviously plays a major role in the graphic novels, but the graphic novels and the AMC TV program primarily revolve around the character Rick Grimes. I think writing a book series revolving around the same set characters would have been boring and redundant. The Rise of the Governor, does as it promises, and provides the back story that leads to the 'Rise of the Governor'. Brothers Phillip and Brian Blake are as opposite as they come and agree on virtually nothing. Their need to survive and desire to not become members of the dead communities that surround them is the only remaining henge keeping them together. The storyline follows the brothers and a few of their tag-along friends as they search for answers and other survivors. After discovering that Atlanta is impossible, they wonder from town to town in search of safe haven. After many struggles (the deaths of friends and family members traveling with them), set backs, and false starts, they find a small community of survivors in a town called Woodbury. At face value, it appears to be their lucky break after a series of heartbreaking blows, but the current below the surface turns out to be stronger than any of them could have ever imagined. All of the death and chaos has taken its toll on everyone. As it turns out, the world has far more to fear from the living than the dead. It is in this little community of Woodbury that they find their unimaginable fate and a Governor rises from the ashes. I don't really have anything negative to say about this novel. The characters are really well developed and the writing is excellent. However, there is quite a bit of violence and language throughout the storyline, so I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone who is highly sensitive to those kinds of issues. It is, after all, a zombie book.

I have arrived late at the Walking Dead party, I'll admit that. I just finished season 2 on netflix, and ordered the big monster Compendium Vol. 1. I bought this book just 2 days ago, and already I'm done. Great price, Amazon!!!! Anyways on the review. I love zombie fiction and think

I thought it was a chilling tale on how a man I've only heard as described as the biggest villain in the comics became who he was. Whats interesting is the story is a bit like Merle and Darryl Dixon. Except Darryl without the influence of Merle is a wholly likable man who became a part of the family of the ragtag group surviving with Rick on the TV version. The rise of the 'Governor' would be an even MORE dysfunctional warped version of that brotherly relationship surviving the start of the zombie apocalypse and how it shaped the man who took over Woodbury just by shooting the military man in charge that was extremely overtly evil to the towns people (or, unorganized survivors) with his military cronies. What was he called? THE MAJOR. Of course he was! I suppose he was a Major in the Army (or some Military Branch) when the world fell. So they praised the man who helped liberate them from a ruthless military dictator and helped them form a plan to defend THEIR TOWN from the evil military cronies of THE MAJOR. And they praised this newcomer and made him their leader calling him THE GOVERNOR. The townspeople traded OVERT EVIL for COVERT EVIL. An interesting dynamic. But the story leading up to all that (which is not in the book, an educated inference from the ending where he goes from inept brother decisive leader. And how the story unfolded before hand.). They are used to and approve of a lot of his ideals (it appears to me). But some of the most twisted and evil stuff I leave unsaid for any future reader to discover in their own reading.

I love the Walking Dead graphic novels. I have ready every one of them probably a dozen times each. I also watch the show religiously. However, my fanaticism has limits and The Rise of the Governor pushed those limits. I think that the focus on a 4 central characters with little diversion was a poor choice given the fact that the 4 characters are almost always at the same place at the same time. This made it difficult to care about other people they encounter on their journey. (If you haven't read the comics, this is a SPOILER ALERT!) Having read the comic, I already knew the little girl was going to become a walker at some point in the story. So the build up to that moment was actually very suspenseful because every time the group was in danger I would ask myself, "is this it??" And thankfully, the payoff for both this arc as well as the conclusion to the book are both very well executed. However, unlike the characters we know from the comics, I didn't feel any sort of attachment to the 4 principle characters in ROTG. They were all one-dimensional (little girl is sweet and innocent, the brothers are polar opposites, the friend is a Jesus-freak) and never diverted from these personalities at all. What makes Rick such a bold character in the comics is that he is not always "the good guy." He has layers to his personality that make you both love and hate him interchangeably. These characters didn't make me feel anything because you couldn't really look at them as individuals. And as a group, they were boring and predictable as well. What makes this book good is the ending. When you see all the pieces tie together, it is really cool. So while I probably wouldn't read this story again, I'm really glad I read it once. If you're into the series or the show, it's worth your time.

so I read the road to Woodbury first thinking it came first in the series, this one I read second, and the road to wood bury was amazing but this one is just wayyyy better in every way. the ending twist I did not expect, even after reading the road to Woodbury first. so that was a good surprise, since the first page I was hooked, I don't think any book has hooked me as much as this one did, although yes I love the comics and tv show, and overall aspect of the zombie themed story, but still despite all that, if I had never heard of the tv sow or comics before this book I would of still been so hooked, normally I take forever to go through a book, because Im not much of a reader, but this one I could not put down and finished it in 3 days, I read a few hours every night before bed, I stayed up later than my bedtime just to be able to read more of this book, again I couldn't put it down, the story is well written and better than the road to woodbury. cant wait to read the fall of the governor part 1. wonder if it will be as good as this one.

The popularity of the Walking Dead seems to partly be around the fact that there are so many characters, which gives the series a prime opportunity to cross away from the main comic, and into the territory of different mediums, including this novel which is the first of a series that will occasionally collide with the main story. This novel itself follows a certain character that shows up in the comic as a fairly one dimensional character yet this story gives the character an interesting background and progression to what they become in the main comic. I found the revelations they give the reader about this character interesting enough that I had to go back to the main comic and re-read quite a few issues to piece together some of this new information. The story also gives light to events that show the beginnings of a pretty key location. While this story can stand on its own, it pretty consistently feels like it's building up to the main comics and other bigger events, some of these events fans have already known about. The story itself is a pretty light page-turner, with solid descriptions of the settings and events that lead to some very memorable moments. There are only a handful of characters, nearly all of which are likeable and interesting, so readers will get to know them very well, sometimes better than the characters in the comics. However, I do feel the majority of my enjoyment from this novel came from learning the origins of the one character and then a couple minor references to other things and people already established by the comic. So I'm not sure that a newcomer to The Walking Dead universe will really enjoy this story, it was obviously written for people that were already familiar with The Walking Dead.

As a huge Walking Dead fan, grabbing this series was a no-brainer. Anything and everything having to do with Walking Dead and I'm on it like white on rice. As the first book in this series about the Governor, it was actually pretty darn good. We got to learn more about who he was and how he grew up. We learned 'possibly' how he became the person he was in the show. I say 'possibly' because there are some things in this story that just don't add up to the show. Maybe that's my own fault. I was told that this was kind of the precursor to the Governor that we all loved to hate on TV. Either way, it was a darn good read. As with practically everything in the Walking Dead universe, there were some pretty intense moments. Some 'holy crap' scenes and some down right disgusting ones. It was a gory and horrific read, but really well written. And I did not expect that kind of ending at all. The last two chapters were just one big shock fest. I will admit that there were some slow spots. Some descriptions that just kind of went on and on when I really just wanted to get back to the story at hand. But all in all a good read and I will be continuing the series. I do NOT recommend this for younger readers though. 4 out of 5 stars :)

I may be in the minority by giving it a 5/5, but I did think it was amazing. It's a much-needed backstory to one of the most fearsome villains in the Walking Dead universe. I read this before seeing the comics, so I was at first surprised to see how different this Governor was from the show version, which I like better. That said, this book sucked me in from the first page. It's good, classic zombie fiction, with plenty of gore and mayhem. The characters are compelling and make me care about their arcs. As for plot, it the usual Road plot, where the characters have to run in search of shelter. It moves them toward Woodbury in a logical way. There are graphic bits, of course, but I want that in this kind of book, especially since it's TWD. The style of writing actually influenced how I write my novels. So yes, you can say I liked this book. The ending is the best part.

If you are a fan of The Walking Dead TV show (or the comic, really), these books are a lot of fun. This one was quite interesting to me because I really wanted to know more about the Governor, and this books shows us just how he became who he is. It reads easily and has some nice twists. In my opinion Rober Kirkman is a genius. If his name is attached, I know I am in for a fun and yet simultaneously poignant ride. I've seen every episode of the show, read every comic book issue, and have a fair amount of the toys. The Rise of the Governor (and the books that follow) fit very nicely into the Walking Dead universe. If you are a fan, I'd certainly suggest at least giving it a shot. I personally had a great time reading it.

I became a fan of the Walking Dead like a lot of people, through the TV series. I've only casually glanced at the comics because, firstly I don't want to get too far ahead and spoil it for myself and secondly, I've pretty much outgrown comics and just want to read "big-boy" books now. So when I saw there was a novel about the back story of the Governor I figured I can't go wrong. It doesn't really spoil anything as far as the TV series goes, I get to read a real book, and I get a healthy dose of Walking Dead during the mid-season break. First, the book is a fun, easy read. I read it in about 2 days and enjoyed almost all of it. Does the "third person present tense" ruin it? No, not at all, didn't bother me at all, and I've read many books over the years, some very deep and complex all the way down to the most simplistic. There are many ways to tell a story, and I don't believe in "rule books" for the art. I do however take objection to the many, many mistakes that show their laziness and lack of study in matters they obviously know nothing about. "Ford s-10s", "rich black Georgia soil", incredibly powerful .22 pistols, Central standard Time in North Ga., steel plated revolver?, something that looked to be either a .357 magnum or an army issue 45?? On and on I could go. Really lazy, guys. No proof-reading whatsoever? The "twist' was predictable to me only because I peaked ahead in some comics previews here on Amazon (doh!) Those who've only seen the series and know nearly nothing about the Governor will be surprised I think. Overall a fun read (which reading should be)that gives you a little glimpse behind the curtain while still leaving you craving more. Some proof-reading and study would've made ita 5 star book. I'm looking forward to receiving the follow-up "Road to Woodbury", hopefully it will be more satisfying.

I really like the fact that this book series is starting on the opposite side of the fence. 'The Governor' obviously plays a major role in the graphic novels, but the graphic novels and the AMC TV program primarily revolve around the character Rick Grimes. I think writing a book series revolving around the same set characters would have been boring and redundant. The Rise of the Governor, does as it promises, and provides the back story that leads to the 'Rise of the Governor'. Brothers Phillip and Brian Blake are as opposite as they come and agree on virtually nothing. Their need to survive and desire to not become members of the dead communities that surround them is the only remaining henge keeping them together. The storyline follows the brothers and a few of their tag-along friends as they search for answers and other survivors. After discovering that Atlanta is impossible, they wonder from town to town in search of safe haven. After many struggles (the deaths of friends and family members traveling with them), set backs, and false starts, they find a small community of survivors in a town called Woodbury. At face value, it appears to be their lucky break after a series of heartbreaking blows, but the current below the surface turns out to be stronger than any of them could have ever imagined. All of the death and chaos has taken its toll on everyone. As it turns out, the world has far more to fear from the living than the dead. It is in this little community of Woodbury that they find their unimaginable fate and a Governor rises from the ashes. I don't really have anything negative to say about this novel. The characters are really well developed and the writing is excellent. However, there is quite a bit of violence and language throughout the storyline, so I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone who is highly sensitive to those kinds of issues. It is, after all, a zombie book.

I have arrived late at the Walking Dead party, I'll admit that. I just finished season 2 on netflix, and ordered the big monster Compendium Vol. 1. I bought this book just 2 days ago, and already I'm done. Great price, Amazon!!!! Anyways on the review. I love zombie fiction and think

I thought it was a chilling tale on how a man I've only heard as described as the biggest villain in the comics became who he was. Whats interesting is the story is a bit like Merle and Darryl Dixon. Except Darryl without the influence of Merle is a wholly likable man who became a part of the family of the ragtag group surviving with Rick on the TV version. The rise of the 'Governor' would be an even MORE dysfunctional warped version of that brotherly relationship surviving the start of the zombie apocalypse and how it shaped the man who took over Woodbury just by shooting the military man in charge that was extremely overtly evil to the towns people (or, unorganized survivors) with his military cronies. What was he called? THE MAJOR. Of course he was! I suppose he was a Major in the Army (or some Military Branch) when the world fell. So they praised the man who helped liberate them from a ruthless military dictator and helped them form a plan to defend THEIR TOWN from the evil military cronies of THE MAJOR. And they praised this newcomer and made him their leader calling him THE GOVERNOR. The townspeople traded OVERT EVIL for COVERT EVIL. An interesting dynamic. But the story leading up to all that (which is not in the book, an educated inference from the ending where he goes from inept brother decisive leader. And how the story unfolded before hand.). They are used to and approve of a lot of his ideals (it appears to me). But some of the most twisted and evil stuff I leave unsaid for any future reader to discover in their own reading.

I love the Walking Dead graphic novels. I have ready every one of them probably a dozen times each. I also watch the show religiously. However, my fanaticism has limits and The Rise of the Governor pushed those limits. I think that the focus on a 4 central characters with little diversion was a poor choice given the fact that the 4 characters are almost always at the same place at the same time. This made it difficult to care about other people they encounter on their journey. (If you haven't read the comics, this is a SPOILER ALERT!) Having read the comic, I already knew the little girl was going to become a walker at some point in the story. So the build up to that moment was actually very suspenseful because every time the group was in danger I would ask myself, "is this it??" And thankfully, the payoff for both this arc as well as the conclusion to the book are both very well executed. However, unlike the characters we know from the comics, I didn't feel any sort of attachment to the 4 principle characters in ROTG. They were all one-dimensional (little girl is sweet and innocent, the brothers are polar opposites, the friend is a Jesus-freak) and never diverted from these personalities at all. What makes Rick such a bold character in the comics is that he is not always "the good guy." He has layers to his personality that make you both love and hate him interchangeably. These characters didn't make me feel anything because you couldn't really look at them as individuals. And as a group, they were boring and predictable as well. What makes this book good is the ending. When you see all the pieces tie together, it is really cool. So while I probably wouldn't read this story again, I'm really glad I read it once. If you're into the series or the show, it's worth your time.

so I read the road to Woodbury first thinking it came first in the series, this one I read second, and the road to wood bury was amazing but this one is just wayyyy better in every way. the ending twist I did not expect, even after reading the road to Woodbury first. so that was a good surprise, since the first page I was hooked, I don't think any book has hooked me as much as this one did, although yes I love the comics and tv show, and overall aspect of the zombie themed story, but still despite all that, if I had never heard of the tv sow or comics before this book I would of still been so hooked, normally I take forever to go through a book, because Im not much of a reader, but this one I could not put down and finished it in 3 days, I read a few hours every night before bed, I stayed up later than my bedtime just to be able to read more of this book, again I couldn't put it down, the story is well written and better than the road to woodbury. cant wait to read the fall of the governor part 1. wonder if it will be as good as this one.

The popularity of the Walking Dead seems to partly be around the fact that there are so many characters, which gives the series a prime opportunity to cross away from the main comic, and into the territory of different mediums, including this novel which is the first of a series that will occasionally collide with the main story. This novel itself follows a certain character that shows up in the comic as a fairly one dimensional character yet this story gives the character an interesting background and progression to what they become in the main comic. I found the revelations they give the reader about this character interesting enough that I had to go back to the main comic and re-read quite a few issues to piece together some of this new information. The story also gives light to events that show the beginnings of a pretty key location. While this story can stand on its own, it pretty consistently feels like it's building up to the main comics and other bigger events, some of these events fans have already known about. The story itself is a pretty light page-turner, with solid descriptions of the settings and events that lead to some very memorable moments. There are only a handful of characters, nearly all of which are likeable and interesting, so readers will get to know them very well, sometimes better than the characters in the comics. However, I do feel the majority of my enjoyment from this novel came from learning the origins of the one character and then a couple minor references to other things and people already established by the comic. So I'm not sure that a newcomer to The Walking Dead universe will really enjoy this story, it was obviously written for people that were already familiar with The Walking Dead.

I have to say that I'm quite disappointed. I've been a big walking dead fan for a while and originally bought this book on the kindle. While it doesn't compare to the comic, I found the story to be enjoyable so once I heard there was a delux edition coming out, with extra artwork, I thought it might actually be worth it to buy the physical version... well I was wrong. I just got it in the mail and am definitly happy I only wasted $40 as opposed to the retail price of $75, which I have to say it is not worth. It's a nice hard back with a hard slip case, and I'm sure it is quite a sturdy book, but the artwork I thought it would have is barely anything at all. Every couple of chapters there is a faint grey picture of a zombie... that's it. I was expecting maybe a comic scene or something from the actual story. Not a comic version of the book, but at least something interesting to look at that would add to the story. Nope. I honestly don't feel this is worth the money. Sure it's sturdy, but there is nothing remarkable about the deluxe version in my opinion.

it's an addictive fun book, and it's always interesting to know more about Philip Blake... BUT... I am not a writer, I wish I could be, but I don't get how some really weird stuff got printed. And those details are really annoying, at least for me, because they seem to show that the book was a little bit rushed to drink on the tv series' success... 1. it's such a compelling storyline and such a pivotal character, I really think it was not developed to its full potential. 2. weird stuff: 2.1 it's a prequel to the whole comic book storyline, but it happens that there is a 2011 Escalade described in full detail... 2.2 Nick and Philip brake into a loaded motorcycle dealer and KICK THE MOTORBIKES ON...brand new (or almost) Harley Davidson Electra Glide models... 2.3 later on, they get on a Ford S10 (??) CAN SOMEONE EXPLAIN ? but AND IT'S A BIG BUT, it is well worth reading to the end. FUN VERY FUN

I bought this because I had picked up the first two Walking Dead compendiums and quite enjoyed the collection of the various comics. As a huge fan of the governor (a well written bad guy is awesome) I had hoped to get a more detailed and genuinely interesting back story out of this. Alas, the writing style seemed to be teen-reading oriented despite the darkness of the subject matter. It picked up speed and quality toward the end so it does have some redeeming value. I would simply have preferred a different stylistic approach overall. Sidenote - I see a lot of hating in other reviews about the tv-show version of the governor. That character was written for TV and had to be WAY nicer than the one in the comic series. This novel is about the comic governor, not the nerf version that was in the tv show.

This is a great back story on one of the most well-known villains in The Walking Dead series. I highly recommend that you read the comics first before reading this novel, at least through the books that contain the Governor. The only reason I didn't rate this book five stars was a few small inaccuracies in the book, nothing that affects the story, but I would to have not liked seeing them. **SPOILER ALERT** This book is the story of how a mostly normal family tries to survive post-zombie outbreak. As most can imagine tragedy strikes at every corner and it transforms the characters into "other" people. A meager man, Brian Blake, transforms into what he believes is the man he needs to be in order to lead others and survive in a new world. The transformation is slow and really only happens when he has no other options left. If you have read the comics then this novel takes place just as "Philip" Blake begins his reign over Woodbury. It is a great set up for the next novel, and I am anxious to read it as well. Overall I recommend this book, but if you happen to catch it on sale then even better. I am a zombie fan and this is good novel for much more than the zombie content. Just as in the T.V. show you get hooked on the human content.

The book is about Phillip Blake, his daughter Penny, his older brother Brian, and close friend Nick as they try to survive the early days of the plague or outbreak. You're basically reading the evolution of the Governor into what he became later on at Woodbury. It had its ups and downs but some parts were difficult to stop turning pages. The fact that it was a relatively short read really helped it not feel too drawn out and kept it entertaining for me. I'm not going to spoil anything but I will say there is one big twist in the book that I really didn't care for. It felt forced and kind of gimmicky to me and just didn't really work. But as big as it was, I was still able to enjoy the book and might even decide to read the next one now after no plans of doing so before. People should know that this review is from someone who only has watched the show, so take that for what it's worth to you.

I don't know if this title follows the graphic novels or the show but it was a n interesting insight into one of the main characters. There were a few minor flaws that grabbed my attention, especially concerning the guns used. Ruger semi auto .22 do not have open hammers hence they cannot be cocked as is portrayed in one scene. Nor would a .22 do much damage to a human skull, let alone explode one. To knock out a zombie ate close range they would be fine, actually preferable to any other gun. 20 gauge shotguns are not used for goose hunting. They are more for small game. Unlike rifles the higher the number the number in the gauge the lower the power. Nor would I suggest a shotgun for zombie protection as they are unwieldy slow to load, especially single shot type as portrayed, and noisy. GIve me a .22 with subsonic ammunition and a homemade suppressor (CKA a "silencer") made from a soda bottle stuffed with cotton batting or lawn mower muffler. Handguns do not have stocks (ok, technically you can add one but that puts the gun, legally, in the same category as a machine gun), or handles. They have grips. The authors need to bone up on guns for any future titles. Lastly Ford did not produce the S 10 pick up, that was Chevy. Ford makes the F series pick up. Beyond that a very good read, better than the average zombie novel by far.

Before I even begin my review for this material, in my personal opinion I feel this book is best enjoyed if you have read the comics and have an understanding of who the governor became before you read the story of who he was. At the very least up until issue number 48 of the series, it should give more perspective to the reader as "Rise of the Governor" unfolds. With that out of the way, I can honestly say that I highly enjoyed this book and flipped through the pages with the same vigorous anticipation that I do with the comics. For those of you looking solely for violence against zombies, survival and a tale of the governors civilian life prior and during the first day of the outbreak, you won't find it here. While there is violence and we do meet our cast within the first week of the outbreak, all those things don't feel extremely relevant. The point of this book, much like the comics and series is the focus of human understanding and the idea that every human being is a unique individual who handles trials and tribulations in different manners. If viewed from that standpoint I believe that this book is successful in its endeavors. The story weaves in and out of dialogue between the Blake brothers to truly establish how different they were in the days before the zombie outbreak, yet as we inch closer and closer to the finale of this book it shows us how much they evolve (or devolve) into something completely different. Even though those two characters are our main protagonists (or antagonists, who knows in a world overrun by the dead?) the other cast members such as Nick, Bobby, Penny and sisters April and Tara are given moments to shine where we see them grow, show vulnerability and establish themselves into The Walking Dead mythos. Ultimately, we watch this group fall apart and most of it has to do with the mental breakdown of their own minds. More death, sadness, regret and fear is caused by each other as opposed to the mindless dead looking to feast on them. The bitter irony of man kinds true nature spills over wonderfully on these pages. I can't wait to re-read the governor story on the comics, as I feel this will give me a better understanding of the character. In fact, one could say that this book breathes fresh life into a character we haven't seen in a while. When Rick, Michonne and Glenn are flung into the world of the Governor he's already a deeply disturbed, violent and power hungry individual, we're never told how or why, nor are we even given any dialogue to pity him or maybe comprehend his deranged behavior. Yet this book gives you that insight, i'm not saying you're going to like what you find, or have any pity for the character but it does give you an idea of what transformed a kind man into a power hungry monster riding a tank and screaming, "Kill them all".

I almost wish I hadn't read this book because now when I watch the show my view of the Governor is skewed to the version in this book. The Governor is perplexing enough in the show, this just makes it worse. The book starts off really slow and drags A LOT as we are introduced to the man who will become the Governor, his brother, 2 childhood friends and Phillip's daughter. The story begins just 3 days after the outbreak as they are scouring a nice neighborhood in search of shelter and sustenance. They learn to navigate the world as their group is stressed and tested, while trying to protect each other and simply survive. The second half of the book really picks up pace and becomes such that you can't put it down. Much like one of those really good episodes of the show. I found that I was gritting my teeth as I read the book, stressing myself out about the direction the story was headed and what would happen.

I've been a big fan of the comic for almost 10 years so was really looking forward to reading this. Unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed. The Walking Dead has never been ABOUT the zombies - much more about the characters and how the "end of the world" impacts them, makes them do things they would have never thought they were capable of, etc. However, the setting of the zombie apocalypse adds spice and excitement - plenty of tense moments ("Do not open, all dead inside"). I found this book - which I expected to be a page turner - to drag. It wasn't a bad book, but it just doesn't offer much in terms of entertainment value. If you're a fan of the series, of course you'll probably read this anyway - however, if someone who had NOT read the comic picked (or, maybe, have watched the show) picked this up they would wonder what the hubbub was about.

Being a fan of the TV series The Walking Dead, this book was more then welcome. To be honest I always prefer a book over a movie/tv so it made me wonder what would be like to read a books involving Rick and crew? That would be pretty awesome, yes? Anyway, if you follow TV series you would know about certain Governor that appears in Season 3 that runs this small community of survivors in Woodbury. Well, this book goes way back to the beginning of the outbreak and follows the story about Blake brothers, seven year old Penny and two of their friends. The story is action-packed all the way and captures the spirit of the post-apocalyptic world infested with Walkers/Biters. Any fan of the series will enjoy this book as its great addition to the main story thus brings us background of the Governor or to be precise his "Rise". This is a first part of the planned trilogy where 2nd book is also available.

I will start by saying that if you've read any of The Walking Dead series or are a fan of high-level zombie fiction, then you already know exactly what you are getting with this book. This isn't "World War Z" ground breaking or "28 Days Later" thinking outside the box here. It's exactly what you expect from a Robert Kirkman zombie tale. But that's not a bad thing. The story is very tense, it carries Kirkman's signature dark "if something bad can happen, it will" tone, and it sucks you in with it's fast pace and visually evocative story telling. This may not be five star fine dining, but going to your favorite greasy cheeseburger joint and getting exactly what you hoped for is just as satisfying an experience.

I'm a fan of the tv-show and wanted to re-visit that universe while waiting for new episodes. Compared to Volume 1 compendium of the original comics, I found this book more satisfying. The comics focused on the aftermath, whereas this book focused on the confusing weeks when society quickly fell apart. The comics focused on dialogue (unnecessarily heavy on swearing, I might add), whereas the book (like the tv-show) delved deeper into its characters' thoughts, emotions and relationships. My only complaint is the repetitive and excessive use of describing words related to rotting and bad smells. It made the novel seem trashier than it actually was.

I'm an avid fan of the Walking Dead TV show and wanted more background on some of the characters and other plot info that often comes with the original written source. I enjoyed the book and am finding the enriched story line and character depiction I hoped for. My only disappointment is the writer's style. It seems that the author wrote with a thesaurus by his right hand and used it too much. However, I certainly didn't expect award-winning writing style when I bought the book. I got what I wanted.

Being a huge fan of The Walking Dead, I wanted to know the circumstances behind The Governor's (Philip Blake) ruthless tyranny. People like this usually have a history that explains what turned them into the cruel person they have become. I learned something very intriguing about Philip's older brother, Brian. It really blew me away, but I don't want to spoil it for anyone. This book goes into great detail about Philip's daughter, Penny, and it even makes you sympathize with him..., well, almost. It does make you empathize, at least. I highly recommend this book to all fellow Walker fans.

I got into the comics and such after I got into the show, so that's the knowledge base I came with going into this book. In the show, The Gov calls himself first Phillip and later Brian. In this book, Brian and Phillip are brothers, one of them is Penny's father, and you know someone will end up as The Gov (duh). From the beginning, I'm going, "Well, I think it's this guy. But I can see how this guy could snap, too." And it's like that until the end. Okay, this guy's totally going dark side, he HAS to be The Gov. Well, this guy's getting kind of weird now. Oh hey, now I think it's going to be the other guy again. Then the end? Wham! I was on the couch next to my husband while I finished it, and he had to keep going "What happened NOW?" because I was gasping, OMGing, wide eyed and covering my mouth as things happened. A very enjoyable and graphic read if you're a fan of The Walking Dead!

LOVE LOVE LOVE the WALKING DEAD. SO i decided to give the books a try. i have a very long commute so books on CD are my go-to. i enjoyed getting a different view of the story like- the books are WAY different that the show. kinda wish id found this book , and others in the series, before the show came out. but, prior to the Walking Dead tv series, i didnt know that i was obsessed with zombies...

The Walking Dead is uber popular so it goes without saying any and everything Walking Dead related is going to sell like hot cakes, or in the case of this book, the Rise of the Governor make the New York Times bestseller list. But there is more to this book than being a fad of the mainstream, the Rise of the Governor is actually a well written book and despite its popularity it would make the New York Times bestsellers list anyway. Robert "the new God of the zombie world" Kirkman and Jay Bonansinga are brilliant writers who craft a story that keeps you reading all the way to the end, straight through if you have the time and energy. The Walking Dead the Rise of the Governor is the best of the best zombie book out there, it is the king or governor of the zombie hill.

Rise of the Governor was easy to read and kept a good pace throught the entire book. The author, Robert Kirkman, has an excellent vocabulary, which I think helped keeping this book moving and enthralling. This is not merely a post-apocalyptic hack-and-slash. At this stage in the storyline, people are just figuring out what has happened and are unaware of any future resolution. One could easily relate to at least one aspect of each character, giving the reader the opportunity to think about how they would respond in the same scenarios. Glimpses of the darker sides of people developed, in believable progression, into what eventually motivates them from this point forward. I think that this book could have been joined with the follow-up, The Road to Woodbury, into one, large tome. I don't know if it should have been, but that adequately describes how the two fit nicely together. You could read either one in no particular oder and still be satisfied. Both books are definitely for mature audiences. But the mature content was not handled in a gratuitous manner - everything written was essential to the storyline. Reading this book on the Kindle was pleasant and the Kindle edition is Text to Speech enabled, so kudos to the publisher for that.

Reading this for what it is and for my own shear enjoyment of the genre, I don't give the slightest damn about some of the lesser or negative reviews. As a viewer of the series, I wanted to know more about the mysterious and mentally off Governor observed in recent episodes and this book has served me well. And up until I was about 96% through, I was not expecting THAT twist. (You'll have to read it... no spoiler here.) I am looking forward to reading the next installment and learning more about this character's beginnings. Are there a few grammatical errors, inconsistencies and improbabilities? I'm sure there are but so what? It's a fictional story about the zombie apocalypse... not classic literature for the ages. Just enjoy the ride.

It had some good moments, but ultimately lacked believable characters. Book 2 was better, especially the introduction of Lily, but this was okay. So far the series has been worth the read, but it will certainly not go down in history like the story in the comics.

I'm a big fan of WD so I thought some more insight on the Governor would be good. I won't give any spoilers but after I finished it, I liked it more than when I started it. It would be cool to make this a B series to the show if David Morrison would do it.

It took me nearly a year to sludge through the barren wasteland that is Bonansinga's first of Kirkman's novel "trilogy." I'd start and stop, restart and stop, and finally... after the release of the most recent novel (Fall of the Governor: Part One), I decided to finally put my mind to finishing these once and for all. Part One, appropriately titled "The Hollow Men", is more telling than the novel is itself. The first section is full of every possible description of splattering a brain. It's hard to read. Not because it's all that graphic, but because it's written by someone who has no grasp of word flow or writing in general. It's a mouthful. If the book was edited and all of the useless, agonizing metaphors and similes were removed, the book would be a good 40 - 70 pages shorter. We have no reason to care for the Blakes (other than our previous knowledge through other media) and we definitely have no reason to care for the hollow, two dimensional cannon fodder that surround them. Part Two is where things pick up. The metaphors almost vanish and fans of the show may feel a little more at home with the plot. Without spoiling too much, if you enjoyed the mini-arc displayed in the season 4 episode, "Live Bait", you'll have no problem understanding what the poor writing is trying to convey. The Chalmers family is a breath of fresh air in this wordy book. Arguably, the show did a much better job at consolidating and moving this arc along in a way that feels less contrived. The conclusion isn't satisfying. Characters change motivations through unreal circumstances and become totally unrecognizable by the end. However, the final two parts of the novel are the most satisfying. As much as that contradicts itself, it's the only thing that truly makes sense here. The beginning doesn't hook you at all. The ending "plot twist" is ridiculous and it doesn't make sense. It's 300+ pages of misdirection. It's a slap in the face and not in the "oh, you're so clever" way. Brian is a weak, useless character. You see no growth in him at all. As a reader, you're focused on the evolution of Philip himself (and boy, he changes alright). By the time you reach the ending, (presumably contrived for the sole purpose of shock value) it all just falls flat. Seeing familiar faces near the end from both the comic and show is a nice treat and a nice setup for things to come. However, with a beginning like this, it's hard to imagine that I'll enjoy the remaining novels in the series. The show does a far better job at conveying the same story arc (and in less time than it takes to navigate the murky prose of this novel). The plot itself isn't a bad one. That probably came from Kirkman's outline. The superfluous descriptions and the try-hard metaphors lead me to believe that a thesaurus is Bonansinga's best friend. I found myself scanning pages towards the end to find significant plot details. We'll spend chapters talking about unnecessary information yet only allow two short, staccato sentences for a major character death. Overall, this book is one of the hardest I've ever read. It doesn't flow as well as the gray matter does from a temporal lobe. If you're a fan of the TV series or comic, you'd be better off reading a summary of the major plot details on Wikipedia. It'll save you several splitting headaches.

As a watcher of the tv series the walking dead I didnt realize this book was by the same authors.Until I finished it. I really enjoyed the book. It kept me engaged all the way through.The characters were brilliant. And there was just enough perversion and sickness to keep the book real. I mean after all in a world taken over by zombies, no one can be above reproach.You gotta do, what you gotta do. The only thing that really cheesed me, was that when I finished the book, I went looking for more, and found most of his books werent available on kindle.Sigh. I hope he writes another and continues the governers story, on kindle.If you like dead things, I think you'll like this book.

This book is NOT a graphic novel. I mentioned to someone that I was reading it and she thought it was another edition of one of the graphic novels. Not so. This is a full-length novel. For anyone who wants to know how the Governor came to be who he is, this is definitely going to provide that information. The book is set at the very beginning of the outbreak....2 or 3 days in. It follows The Blake brothers, Penny Blake - Phillip's daughter and two of the brothers' friends. The interaction between the two brothers, the personalities and how they both mesh and clash provide much insight into the formation of Phillip's personality as Governor. This is, absolutely, a must read!

I am a huge Walking Dead fan and never knew about the books until someone told me about them. I ordered this one to give it a try, especially because I hated the governor so much. I wasn't sure if I would like it or not but couldn't seem to put it down. It was an amazing book and had so much great detail. I felt like I was right there with the characters. The ending of this book almost blew my mind! Definitely gave me a different view of who the governor really was and I can't wait to read the next. So happy they came out with these books!

With The Walking Dead achieving mammoth amounts of popularity thanks to the long running comic and the smash hit TV series adaptation, creator Robert Kirkman teams up with horror writer Jay Bonansinga to detail the backstory of The Governor, who may be one of the most evil villains to ever appear in the pages of a comic book ever. Just how did The Governor get to be how he was in the pages of The Walking Dead? Well, this novel The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor, picks up a few days into the zombie apocalypse, as estranged brothers Philip and Brian, along with Philip's young daughter Penny and a couple others, try to survive the perils of plague-stricken rural Georgia. Along the way they come across other survivors and hordes of undead, with some major shocking events taking place that set the stage for the birth of the cruel man who is way more dangerous than an onslaught of zombies could ever be. With some twists aplenty and a gut-punch of a final act, The Walking Dead: Rise of The Governor is engaging and page-turning, but it doesn't do anything else than tell an origin story, and even at that, by the time the big twist at the end happens, it feels like a bit of a cheat. All that aside, Rise of the Governor is more than worth your time if you're a Walking Dead fanatic, and it is a nice companion piece to the prolific survival horror series.

I enjoyed this book but was skeptical at first because I watch the show "The Walking Dead" religiously. I had gotten the second book as a gift and hesitated reading it figuring that it would change my persception of the Governor on the Walking Dead. Even if it has, it's completely worth it to read it. It is basically a prequel to the Governor coming to power which is never addressed on the show anyhow, so it doesn't "ruin" the show so to speak. Well written especially in terms of graphics and being able to really get lost in the book. Definitely highly recommended.

Being a huge walking dead fan, I of course watch the show, I've read the graphic novels and I needed more! So I decided to read the rise of the governor which has great reviews so why not! I love reading on all the characters whether good or bad, it gives you an idea on how they become to be what they are. This book does just that. I thought it was just great, so well written, I would read it over and over! The ending also was very unexpected! I can keep going on about how great I liked it but I don't want to give any of the story away! If you're a wd fan it's a must read!

When I downloaded the free kindle sample of this book I decided before finishing the few pages worth of material that I knew exactly who the characters were, and more importantly weren't. I finally decided to purchase the full book and give it a chance. The story beyond the first chapter progressed nicely, and I actually started to think that I had been wrong in my assumption. Aside from a couple of minor vehicular quibbles, I really enjoyed the majority of the book.(One, Chevy makes the S-10, Ford's small truck would be the Ranger. And two, because Harley Davidson's, with the exception of the V-Rod, are all air cooled the Electra Glides would not have had radiators.) Then comes the end, with it's "surprise" twist. It would have felt much more compelling to me if it had been played straight. The character development of Philip is good. You really dislike him for becoming what he is, but you can also see his side of things, so he is almost sympathetic. While Brian is just slightly more developed beyond 'baggage along for the ride'. Once they get to Woodbury things get very rushed and awkward. I love a good twist as much as anyone, but I get really annoyed when people think that every single story needs to have one. This one did not and it's inclusion really takes away from the overall story, in my opinion.

If you are a fan of the show and more so the comics, this is a must read. You never know how things like this work out when a comic writer tries a novel. It is suspenseful and the characters are well described. None pf this was ever covered, so you get a good indication of how the comic Governor turns in to the monster he is. The end will shock you, just like the show and the comics do and it will make you buy the next one. .

I am a fan of the WD. I tried to get into the graphic novels, but it is not as imaginative as reading the book, where your mind fills in the what is going on. I am not going to discuss what is in the book. I think this book does give some insight to what makes up the G man and why he becomes the way he is. It has action, it has adventure, drama everything in the TV series. I hope that the author does a series on each of the main characters that are in the TV series as well.

Having an inside on the feelings and thoughts of the characters during the realization of whats happening and how you adapt to this crisis was the best part of this book. Its simple to read it but at the same time it describe it so vividly that you can almost smell the stink of the zombies. The way the characters transform and how their values are tested while trying to survive makes this book an enjoyable ride. Cant say much more without spoiling it for you. If you are a fan of zombies, TWD TV series this is a most read book.

The Walking Dead is poised to become a cultural phenomenon. It is a self sustaining zombie-horror universe that began in one of the most undervalued mediums (comics) then evolved into the most over hyped medium (tv) before making it into one of the oldest mediums (the traditional novel). While I am sure its evolutionary arc will continue on to video games and movies, at the moment, its accomplishments in its chosen genre are both great and rare (only Resident Evil can be used for comparison). But it is important to note that each entry in this universe must be judged on both its own individual merits as well as its place in the WD-verse. I have read every issue of the fantastic comic series and have been on board since the beginning. I have watched every episode of the superb tv series, again, from the first broadcast. Now having read every word in this collaborative novel I am sad to report that it is the least impressive entry so far. That does not mean that it is not worth the price of admission. It is. However, if you are entering the Walking Dead universe for the first time or if you are arriving here because you love the other entries, you may be slightly disappointed. The book follows the "birth" of the Governor; a villainous character made famous in the comics who has yet to rear his ugly head in the tv series (given how long it is taking them to find Sophia it may be years before they do). Note it is his "birth" as you will not see his rise to power nor will you see his conflict with Rick, so the title is, IMHO, a slight misnomer. Be that as it may, there is not a fan of the comic who would not be interested in this subject, and the bigger fanboy you are the more you will find things to like here. Fanboys will be absolutely giddy when they see the different settings and references in the Governor's story that Rick and crew also encounter (one hand painted sign in particular sticks out). As an added bonus for comic fans is knowing exactly what the Governor's family struggles are and waiting to see when that inevitable axe drops. Interestingly enough, just as the tv show has a different feel brought on by its pacing and attention to slightly different priorities than the comic, so does RotG manage to differentiate itself in this universe. The action moves at a quick pace with a zombie quotient that exceeds its brethren, and, believe it or not, zombie slaying is even more gruesome here than it was in the other two visual mediums. The character development and dialogue are just as strong, and the tale hits all the right plot points before coming to its inevitable conclusion (which, sorry Mr. Kirkman, I kind saw coming from page 3). Really, the book has few flaws. There is an over reliance on medical terminology that takes away the visceral impact of zombie slaughter, "...smashing through the membrane of a scalp, into the hard shell of a skull, though the layers of dura, and into the pulpy gray gelatin of an occipital lobe." I also felt that Jay Bonansinga's writing would be better without the vocab calendar I am sure he keeps on his desk "The three men are ancient, grizzled, spavined codgers...." spavined really??? I mention these not because I am picky, but because they turn up with such frequency that you wonder if Mr. Bonansinga is just trying to show off his crossword skills. That and the fact that it does, on occasion, become a distraction. Rated by itself without comparison to the rest of the WD-verse, I may be compelled to grant 3.5 stars. But when compared to the clean lines and straightforward, yet vivid, storytelling that Kirkman has produced on his own, Rise of the Governor is a pale shadow of the tales told elsewhere.

I can't even express how good this book is! I love The Walking Dead and this is such a wonderful backstory of how the Governor became how he is. You don't need to know the backstory to watch the show, but you will not see the Governor the same way after you read this book. You will see how he became how he is. And you will question how you would be if you were thrown in to this society of having to fight to survive. Robert Kirkman is an amazing writer. This book would be great as a free-standing novel for people who don't know anything about the show. LOVED it!!

This book is about the governor (from walking dead season 3) and how he became the way he is. It made my laugh at times and made me cry, you dont see books this good often! !!!!!!!SPOILER ALERT!!!!! I did want to mention that if you cant stand to read about extreme violence or rape this book may not be for you. It adds to the story in showing the mind set of characters and the path they are taking but I do wish someone had told me before I read it.. It can catch you off guard.

Really good book if you are a fan of the walking dead comics and hardcover edition. Tells the story of the Governor's time among the dead before he comes to Woodbury and shows you some of the reason why he is the way he is. Even though, to me, the ending was a little predictable after about 30 pages or so, but being far this is not the first kind of book like this I have read and if you know anything about the Governor I think you will see why yourself. Still a great read in the Zombie genre.

As a long time walking dead fan I was very eager to get my hands on this, and by and large I was happy with it. The story is generic enough, it is a little slow to get into, the first couple of chapters were hard work to get through. Not giving away too much, you get to see how Mr Blake becomes the Governor, and its decent enough, although for the best part he does take a back seat to the other characters, this is more of a background to his background kind of set up, but it wraps up nicely all the same. Book wise, its not the greatest thing you'll ever read, and its not that ground breaking but it is pretty good all the same, the descriptions are a bit too long winded sometimes, and come off a little bit as filler or an attempt to sound smart, that aside this book is pretty solid and well worth checking out. As for the special edition, that is very nice, the leather slip case gives a very nice feel to the book and being a signed and limited edition item is always a great thing from a collectors point of view. All in all for the price it was well worth it, very nice addition to a walking dead fans collection, and a good read

Most of the story takes place before Woodbary but does incorporate some of the that story line. This is about the fall of a man trying to survive the end of the world with the last remaining part of his family and friends but ends up a monster (The Fall of the Governor and in Road to Woodbary). The audiobook is well done like all his other work, this is a more slower story lines of all the other books but still well paced and Very good.

Big fan of The Walking Dead? Want to know more? Check out The Walking Dead: Ride of the Governor. Think you know the villian of the year (according to Wizard magazine)? Think again! 23 chapters giving the background of who you think is Philip Blake all starting on day 3 of the zombie apocolypse. Remember Penny? This shows you a living Penny and the bond she holds with her dad. The Governor, his friends that begin the journey that may have an end in sight, or does it?

If you are a fan of The Walking Dead and wondered about the Governor before his time at Woodbury; this fills you in on it. It describes how he made his way (before being called Governor) along with his brother and friends as they struggle to survive. I would recommend reading it because of the twist and turns that follow (and warp) him along the road to Woodbury. You might even have some sympathy for the man after you see the trials he had to endure.

Really enjoyed this book, mainly because it gives the reader a real in-depth insight into the Governor and what motivates him (although nothing can redeem him for his later actions). The twist at the end was unexpected and the book well-written and filled with suspense. Interesting to see the difference between the books and the TV series, with characters showing up at different times and for different reasons. I love both.

Haven't completed, but so far I'm loving it. Gives an interesting back-story to The Governor. Anybody who is into the tv show (but hasn't absorbed themselves into all of the spoilers from the comics) should give this a read!

As a fan of the Walking Dead TV show, I loved the perspective this book gave on the mind of Philip before he went all PTSD--apocalypse style! It's scary, it's exciting, it's gritty, it's a terrible book to read right before bed (LOL)! Caution: there's some intense cursing and disturbing/graphic imagery. Overall, a great zombie/apocalypse survival story. PS - The second book in this series, Road to Woodbury SUX! Don't waste your time :)

If you are a fan of the comic book, you will enjoy reading this. While not a "great" book, it was still very fun and kept me engaged. I wanted to know what happened next. It does explain a little more about the Governor and it was a surprise ending! There were a couple of technical errors that messed up continuity of the books, but worked for the TV show such as the location of the Governor's town. It is forgivable, however and worth the read if you are into the Walking Dead Universe!

As a fan of both the comic and the tv show i was happy to see a way to build a characters backstory without flashbacks in either the comic or the show. After reading the book I have to say I was disappointed with the way it ended, without spoiling the end I'll just say it seems like kirkman and jay didn't think that far ahead so they just put a shyamalan twist to the character we know as the governor to make him the man we've seen.

I have to start off with saying that I love the tv show. This book was a disappointment. Some parts were predictable and some of the writing is totally inaccurate and/or very hard to buy into. The part about the Harley was especially infuriating. The writer obviously has never been on or near a Harley in real life.

I decided to read this because I enjoy The Walking Dead comics and television show, so why not a novel? It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. At times it moved along very nicely. Action packed, on the edge of your seat. Other times, it was long and unexciting. I felt the editing was rushed and could have been much better. The editor should be ashamed. If you like The Walking Dead, give this a try. If you're new to TWD, start with the comics or the television show. That being said, I will probably pass on the other books in this series.

I've recently started getting into the horror genre, expecially zombie books. This book is one of the best I've read. I was on the edge of my seat and couldn't put the book down!!! I read the book in a couple days and probably would of finished it in one if I didn't have to work. I highly recommend this book it is awesome and it was cool to hear the story of the Governor and how and why he became who he is.

It turns out that most of the reviews already written were spot on. The whole third person switch, the Ford s10, the endless adjectives. The story line has great potential. As a die hard Walking Dead fan I liked the book. But as a somewhat intelligent and literate person, it was terrible. If you like the show give the book a try. If you are a casual fan of the show, don't waste your time or money.

this book if you watch the show, or read the comics. The twists the turns, the realization that in the apocalyptic world people are more dangerous than the undead. This gives great insight to one of the bigger villains in the Walking Dead Universe. I highly recommend this book to anyone. Even as a stand alone book it holds weight.

Just finished reading, and I must begin by saying that I'm nearly breathless. I read the final 2/3rds or the novel in a single day. Overall, this is a quick and very engaging read. It moves through plot at a reasonable and engaging pace without sparing visual description and insights into character emotions. From a gore standpoint, this is about as brutal as one could be in words, and certainly not for the faint of heart. I'd advise parents to really steer clear. This is not a stocking stuffer. The good: -The plot is perfectly crafted and manipulated. For readers of the comics and non-readers alike, you'll be biting your nails and throwing the book in the air for the entire ride. -The characters are believable, both likeable and unlikeable, exactly what most people would likely devolve into given the situation. The entire scenario rings true, and it seems as though the author has clearly visualized the world of the story down to the tiniest detail. The bad: -I'm an English teacher, so I'm a big fan of metaphor, simile, personification, the whole lot of it. But the purpose of metaphor in literature is to further specify, describe and clarify a given image. Therefore, when your metaphors become overly obscure or detailed, it only serves to distract the reader from the story itself. Sure, it may seem like the metaphors here are beautiful to the point of near genius, but they are beautiful to the point of literary impediment. About 75% of the time, they strike true and achieve their purpose, but at least once every three or four pages you'll find yourself taking pause to dissect a metaphor. This is not the mark of great writing, even if it might appear as such to someone who is impressed by the sheer word craft. -The author, like many writers, is clearly nurturing love affairs with certain words. I hate to point it out, as now you'll be looking for it, but the author might want to steer clear of the word "gape" and the word "primordial" going forward. The other words are getting jealous. -The point of view, for me, was a little jarring. Usually novels written in present tense are also written in first person. Obviously, this isn't some sort of literary rule, and I applaud the author's attempt to break the mold. Still, at times I felt that this tense took me out of it. I guess that I just assumed it would be written in past tense since it is a prequel. But overall, I'm really impressed. My above comments are nothing more than the petty nitpicking that accompanies true love and fan-dom. Why else would nerds still sit in their living rooms and argue about whether Jar Jar Binks was the worst decision Lucas ever made? When you love something, you see its flaws even more clearly, but you love it anyway. And I will say, still gasping from the mind-numbing genius of the final fifteen pages of this novel, that it is definitely worth your time.

Of course any TWD fans will enjoy this as it's the backstory to how the governor came to be. It was insightful and exciting! I couldn't stop reading and read as often as I could! Few books grab my attention like that. Definitely not for youngsters or anyone with a weak stomach for extremely violent details as this is about the governor so there's some pretty rough details.

Was surprised this was as good as it was for a walking dead book.

If this novel were put in Graphic Novel form, it would barely take up half a book. The average reader will finish it in a day. I won't cover ground that's been beat to death, if you like the Comical, this will only leave you want more. How does a weak willed, gut-less followers, turn into one of the most despotic and ruthless characters in comic history? Well, you won't get the full answer in this book. The ending sets up the future " Governor " as a liberator. How did he turn so evil?

Great, as described!

I like to start off by saying I enjoyed this book and completed it in two sittings. Overall the story was exactly what I expected out of "franchise" series type book. Common themes, known characters and in this case a lot of zombies being killed with everything from Harley's to random metal objects. The book provides back story on the Governor character from the comic; as such the title is a little misleading. The rise is not cover per se, but folks familiar to the comic will be able to connect the dots from when this story ends and the Governor first appears graphic novels. I imagine if the show continues its success on television; there will be more books which is a good thing. Additionally there are a few tie-ins to the Grimes story sprinkled through out the book; which helps a little with "universe" building. With most Zombie movies/stories their are several situations where I think I would not have done what character X does, but that is to be expected with the territory. This happens a lot; the characters seem to have no problem wasting resources; abandoning things you would treat like gold and finding new resources! I recommend the book, just don't expect too much!

Though at times I had to skip a few sentences and skim through some of the long winded descriptions, but other than that this book unanswered many questions I had. I love the storyline in which the governor was born it was a real ride to see the events in which he had to deal with and the emotional impact it had on his mental state of mind. This is a must read for any walking dead fan.

The book was amazing. Wish we had this background on the Governor in the show. Very interesting read, can't wait for the next book.

I'm a huge fan of the walking dead show and in reading this book I have a better understanding of the reason for why the governor is the way he is. Although the book and the show are not the same exactly the two are close enough that I can merge the two together with better understanding.

This story covers the origins of the character The Governor, along with all of the peculiarities and twists. This book back-fills a lot of the story of the comic version of this character. I couldn't put the book down, and I was quite satisfied with the beginning, middle, and especially the ending. I can't wait to read the next one.

Bought book for granddaughter...she enjoyed it.

Rec'd as described and in timely manner. Again, book was ordered as a gift for my teenage granddaughter and not for myself therefore I did not answer above questions

its nice

As a huge fan of the TWD show, I wanted to know more about the Governor. The writing really brings you into the characters body. I could feel the cold rain, the despair, their fear throughout most of the book. Some of the decisions the characters make are questionable, but that's to be expected in the horror genre. I would recommend this book to any Walking Dead fans who want to reserve deeper into the storylines.

My son is way into the Walking Dead and this was a great way to incorporate the comic series and not break the bank. He originally wanted to start getting the individual comics and reading them that way. There are over 100+!!! This was a much better option and he totally loves it.

No, it's not as good as Kirkman's graphic novels. That said, it was and enjoyable read and I liked getting more back story on such an intense character. I also liked seeing the WD world from other perspectives. Some parts drag a little, and I felt like the ending was a little abrupt, but overall, it was worth the money and time.

I started reading these books after the mid season finale of the show. I have really enjoyed them. I feel like the books filled in some character details that the show just doesn't have time for. The writing is good and the books are grittier than the show can allow for. I would recommend these books to anyone really into the show.

For any dam of The Walking Dead, this book is a must read. Everyone knows the show loosely follows the comics, so getting the background of the Governor's rose to power, and how he became who he is, is definitely a much needed backstory to understanding the man.

As a fan of the comic & show, I was looking forward to this. While I don't consider it a great novel, it was worth reading. the characters are well done, with some decent depth & the situations not ton beyond belief. There is a crazy twist near the end which some may not like. The end was a bit flat. Overall, a good begining to the series.

To all the fans of the walking game comics this isn't a move have but more like an ahhhhh why not i'm waiting for the next issue to come out why not pick this up. The novel prints a nice picture in your head on the action. In the 300+ pages it packs a punch in the action feels like something is always happening or going to real soon. I liked this novel more then the "Road to Woodbury" which is still good but this is all about the governor and the blake brothers and little penny before she become a zomibe and how 1 little kid can hold a bunch of grown men together and equally make them fall apart.

This was a good read with a surprising twist. It was a lot darker than expected although as A Walking Dead fan I should have known. My kids are also Walking Dead fans however after reading this book I decided it will not be passed down to them like I do so many of my books. I would recommend keeping out of children's hands unless 16 or over. Not that this book was written for kids , however I know many parents have children like mine who are fans and would consider buying this book as gift for them.

Lord have mercy where does one begin...its like watching a train wreck happening and u can't look away. i can't and hate to put my Kindle down because I just can't wait to see what happens next. So far its a real page turner....

I guess it wasn't the best or the worst. I guess you can say it was so so. Thats all

Excellent book, to get in the governors head is scary but amazing! I loved this book from front to finish!! Can't wait til they write a book on another Walking Dead character, Daryl maybe...hint hint... or even Shane, as much as I hated him, reading his book would be good :) I recommend highly to anyone who loves Walking Dead!

My oldest son is a huge Walking Dead fan! He loves Rise of the Governor. So much so, he won't even let me borrow it to read! He enjoys that the book is not quite like the series on TV so there are always surprises!

If you're a fan of Walking Dead the TV show, like I am, you HAVE TO read this book! You will gain tremendous insight into some of the background of the story/show you didn't realize was even there! You'll realize the how & the why as to why somethings are the way they are you just don't get just watching the TV show. You'll go 'oh that's why that was there!' in reference to the show more then once!

This was a surprisingly quick read. I found myself buzzing through chapter after chapter. I'm not going to spoil it but you think you know where the book is going (especially if you are familiar with the TV or comic Governor), but trust me you DON"T! The twist at the end of the book left me ripping through the last few pages in awe.

Great series of books. Good for fans of the comic/show and for those unfamiliar but looking for a good read.

Ok

a

One of the more interesting and scary characters in the Walking Dead is the Governor and the first book introduced him in a big way. A fun ride full of action and a few twisted moments, the book is a blend of the show and comics. Fans of both will enjoy it.

I feel slightly ambiguous about this book. I'm strongly motivated to like it solely because seemingly everyone I know likes the show. BUT...I really didn't have any strong feelings while reading this. I appreciated the character development, even though I couldn't bring myself to root for ANY of the characters. It's not that the book was bad per say, but so much of the time I was just thinking "I've read/seen this before...it's tired". And for a zombie-apocalypse novel, it wasn't even one of the more frightening ones.

This is a great addition to the walking dead comics and show. It is a great read and difficult to put down. Lots of shocking information that explains a lot of the actions of the governor on the show. Can't wait to read road to Woodbury and the rest of the walking dead comics to tie it all together.

I loved getting the backstory of characters I first became invested in while watching AMC series based on the Walking Dead Comics. I now am reading all the books I can while the series is on season break until February. It is keeping me in suspense. I love it. I couldn't put it down.

Good insight into the the making of the governor and evolution of Woodbury

I was quite surprised at how interesting this book was since I was expecting it to be like books that are based on movies and not worth my time. But it had a lot of information that you don't get from the show that I wasn't expecting and it was written in a way that kept my interest the whole time. I can't wait for the third to come out now!

This book had some interesting ideas, but the writing and execution left something to be desired. I read the first three books in this series so far, and they seemed to get worse as I went along. They became a kind of "junk food novel" for me. The first one (this one) was the best so far and most worth your time.

Great book that details the life of a newer character to season 3 of TWD. I've read some reviews that complain that this book is pretty run of the mill compared to Kirkman's graphic novels, but I have to disagree. Pretty gripping story about how ordinary people survive extraordinary events, and particularly more powerful to any readers who have children themselves. For anyone who is unsatisfied with the first 100 pages of the book; I urge you to read to the end for the big twist that completely takes even the most adept Kirkman follower by surprise. 5 stars for the ending, however this book is not for everyone, there are some torture and rape scenes that may make some readers uneasy.

If you looking for some mind-numbing entertainment, this book delivers. It's a grocery store, checkout stand, light, fast read. Don't over-analyze it, just enjoy it.

If you are a Walking Dead fan, don't you want to know who the Governor is and how he became the person he is today? This book is so good, I couldn't put it down. I read it in a day. I highly recommend this one and "The Road to Woodbury". You will not be disappointed!!

this series is a great add on to the show or the comics! it gives some great backstory to the governor

I'm a huge fan of the walking dead and my sister told me to read this book. I have to say that I loved every page of it. I was hooked from page one! If you love the walking dead series, you'll love this book and will be stunned at the ending as I was. Highly recommended.

Good storytelling, unexpected twist at the end. The twist made a good story great. It isn't phenomenal, life-changing or a classic for the ages, but quite engaging and worth my while to read. I'm happy to have read it and will download the others. This book met my expectations.

I enjoyed this. It is well written and gives a lot of insight into the chracters. There were several "aha" moments as I read. I was disappointed that he didn't find Merle in this book, but that did not akae away from it for me.

I enjoyed this read. It got a tiny bit tedious at times, but in the end it was worth it. My only regret is that I didn't read it before I met the Governor on the TV Series. I will give away nothing! I'm on to The Road to Woodbury.

Great book. Too bad the greedy publisher decided to split the rest of the series up into many books so they could nickel and dime the customer. Would have given this book five stars otherwise.

This is a novel, not the comic. I love the story line of the TV show and enjoyed seeing how the book was different. Of course, you need to buy both books to get the full story. Clearly written, kept me captivated.

I LOVE the Walking Dead TV series and although I would much rather read about Darryl and Merle, I will take anything I can get my hands on. Reading about the Governor was great, and although the story didn't EXACTLY follow the TV show's plot, it was still really good.

bought this for a friend who loves the walking dead tv series. she basically told me the whole story she loved it so much. not so sure this series is cannon but explains the Governors story starting right before the break out

I enjoyed getting to know how the Governor’s story began. However, I didn’t particularly like the whole twist thrown in there in the book’s conclusion. But, I’d still recommend it to all TWD fans, graphic novel & tv show alike.

I love The Walking Dead. This book gave me more insight, a perspective from another angle. I will be reading all in this series.

Excellent reading! I read the entire book in just under two days. I have been following the Walking Dead on AMC so when I saw this book it peaked my interest. The Governor is a very interesting character, in an evil kind of way. The book has a surprise twist and looking back I can see now why he is the way he is. I just ordered the Road to Woodbury, wanna see how his personality has evolved to what we now see of him on the series and in the comic books.

I enjoy the compendium very much so I felt as a fan it was my duty to read up on the governor to fully embrace the story line. Although I do not regret the reading, it was a little long for the payoff in the end. I really feel the story just recycled its plot for the sake of longevity. Descriptions where great in detail but sometimes distracting from the current scenario. I found myself stopping and looking back to recall what was happening in the first place. The characterization seemed rushed but developed enough for the point to hit home. Definitely worth the reading but a comic version would have sufficed.

I was waiting for this and it was worth the wait! Written for easy reading and it is fast-paced! Well worth the money. Great for fans of the show or just fans of the comics. I hear another one will be coming out in October and I am very excited! Highly recommended!

Highest possible rating. Be warned: if you know your Walking Dead, you know this book cannot have a happy ending. It is seriously frightening, massively depressing, and it makes you feel like your soul is drowning in tar the deeper into the book you get. It is also addicting. You will not want to put it down, despite what it is doing to you. Tremendously well written. This book is a true odyssey of horror and, more importantly, of transformation. Brace yourself.

Zombie fans will really like this book. Loved it and couldn't put it down. Definitely dark and contains some adult content in the violence and mature sexual content. Would not recommend for preteen readers. The language did a good of painting visual picture of dramatic moments.

MUST read for TWD fans!

This book makes you a ponder life after disastrous circumstances occur. The battle of the living and the dead. Descriptive and makes you wonder how would you do if this happened? Kudos to do we Robert and Jay. A must read for any walking dead fan.

Very good. The authors went a little overboard at times with the flowery language, but the story was good, gripping, and not repetitive. GREAT to help me feed my Walking Dead addiction while the show is on break. Unexpected twists ... no spoilers ... but wow.

The writing is simple, too simple. Great descriptions of the Gore but it was as if the writers sat down with a thesaurus for the single purpose of tossing in a more difficult synonym here and there to appear more intelligent. Good, but not great.

Love the walking dead & the evil Governor too. He is so evil you have to know how he got that way. Book is great just like the show. LOVE IT. would recommend it for any Walking Dead fan.

This book was a great read for those of us waiting for the Walking Dead series to start or a new graphic novel to be published. So many things intertwined from the graphic novel in the story pulled it all together. Plus the ending! Wow! Must read!

This audio book was great! The narrator did a wonderful job and the writing was spectacular. I thought I pretty much knew what was going to happen but was surprised a lot during the book. I can't wait to listen to the next one (The Road to Woodbury).

I am a huge fan of the graphic novels and the television series. I am also a high school English teacher. While I had a hard time getting into this novel (I was too busy looking at the metaphors and similes used to create descriptions of the violent zombie killings), I did find it enjoyable overall. It is not a book I'd recommend to my students (for obvious reasons) - it is a bit too violent and gritty for that. However, for fans of the show and graphic novels I think it's an interesting addition. There is also a delicious twist to it - I did not expect it at all. Worth a read for sure!

For any fan of "The Walking Dead" series this is a must read. The most hated man in the post zombie apocalypse world comes to life. Full of twists and betrayals that leads to man-kinds humanity being replaced by paranoia.

I just have to say Robert Kirkman is awesome. I'm a Walking Dead fanatic and I loved this book. It was interesting to read about how the Governor became who he became. I can't wait to read the next one, The Road to Woodbury.

I was pleasantly surprised by the book. Very well written with vivid imagry. I'm glad this spin off of the Govener is based off the TV series character and not the one one the graphic novels. I wasn't sure which I was going to get when I started into it. There was a surprise ending for me at the end, but I'm pretty sure I was reading the book in the wrong frame of mind. I haven't read the other reviews but I'm curious to see who else felt that way. For those of you who haven't read the graphic novels, he has a pretty peverted, phychopathic child pediphile scene. In the TV series he's just an ass, sicko, maybe a sociopath and surely a rapist. I'm halfway through book two and am certainly disturbed at how quickley his character seemed to have changed. If you're a WD fan and can appreciate the importance of a good villain- this book is worth a read.

As a die hard fan of the television series that hasn't read the novels, it's like getting a whole new series in my mind's eye! I love it!

I'm a huge fan of the tv show and have only read a few of the comics but heard this was amazing. I have no words to describe this book. My mouth may still be hanging open and my eyes feel glassy. Robert Kirkman is an amazing writer and this brings so much insight to everyone's favorite walking dead villain. I just can't even talk right now. I did not expect this at all. So good.

As many have said, it's not the best written novel, but the subject matter is terrific and makes up for the writing. I don't know that I would recommend it to just anybody, or even as good zombie-fiction, but if you're a Walking Dead fan it's a must read.

This is a nice lead but a little too predictable from beginning to end. Also while it does give the beginnings of the rise of the governor , there is little time spent on the character that is the governor. The writing reminds me of something I read as a teenager and that no longer challenges me in my adult readings.

While this was an exciting, page turner, the title was misleading. What I thought was going to be the continuation of adventures by the group on TV, turned out to be a stand alone group and their adventure. The characters in the story make some dumb mistakes but from early on, it's clear that they are not really prepared for this new life. It's the mistakes that keep the story flowing and keep the excitement coming. I found myself asking what I would I do in such a situation. It was usually something different but then maybe I wouldn't be so rational with a swarm of zombies trying to eat me.

It’s an ok story, not life changing or thought provoking. His comics are much better.

I think the prose of the author could have woven a more immersing tale not out of plot device but out of language used to tell the story. Outside of that, the story has been good so far (halfway through it now)

I love The Walking Dead! I have read all of the graphic novels (currently 93) and I own the first season on Blu Ray. I finished this book in about 3 or 4 hours and I can't wait for the next one. It was a very entertaining back story for The Governor and his small group of survivors making their way from Rural Georgia to the city of Atlanta. Anyone interested in this Novel should pick up and read

This is a wonderful addition to the graphic novels. I love getting back story on things that I've read about in the past. What things happened to a person that made them who they are. Especially when its about someone as sinister as the Governor. I hope there are more to come.

I really enjoyed this book. I highly recommend it for any Walking Dead fan. It did a good job satisfying the itch you get when waiting for the next episode. I usually take a month to read a book, only reading a little at a time. Read this one in a weekend.. It is that good.

Well written in-depth character study of the main protagonist "The Governor" as well as the other characters. Heartbreaking sad and emotional, full of thrills and horror, sometimes graphic but mostly a very human and compassionate story. A book one will read again and again. The most sophisticated book I have ever read in this particular genre. A jewel! Not only for fans of "The Walking Dead". The reason I bought it: I saw the tv series and wanted to know more about "The Governor", so well portrayed by actor David Morrissey.

This book is awesome. Read it after you have read the first dead omnibus - it is fun to see how they tie everything together. Completely separate from the TV series, more in the universe of the graphic novels.

Got this as a Christmas gift for my boyfriend who loves the Walking Dead. He's very picky about his books and he always prefers to have everything in a hard cover copy. We both looked everywhere for this but could only find paperbacks. He was very surprised with this and he loved it.

It's far more gripping, has cleverer twists and better characterization than this novel. There's really no comparison. But for the Walking Dead completists, go ahead and read this book. It's decent enough, but with a different writer at the helm, it could have been great. The book doesn't seem to know how to build suspense and the writer's use of flowery language, wonky metaphors and medical words really bogs down the read. I'll say it again: buy the comic instead. You won't regret it.

We watched the shows, then got the compendiums, the latest comics, now these. Only complaint is that you finish it too fast and are left wanting more. I hope Kirkman writes a hundred of these novels.

If you are a fan of The Walking Dead series this is a must read. I had no idea what a great novel style writer Kirkman is. This book blew me away, to be honest I expecting an ok read just to get some insight and history about Philip Blake aka "The Governor" (one of my favorite villains of all time). This book is so well written and keeps you on the edge of your seat, hanging on to every word. I was very impressed with the Stephen King like descriptions of every walker getting it's skull pierced, to every tear that hits the cold ground, I hope that Robert Kirkman can turn one of these books out every year to add depth and history to all the major players in this world that the readers have grown to love and invest so much of themselves in.

If you're a "Walking Dead" fan you must read this. It gives an inside look at the "Governor" and his past. I can't say any more without giving any thing away. Very well written with just enough detail to fuel you're imagination.

Great book!

Aside from some minor technical issues (F-S10 truck and effectiveness of .22 cal etc.) It was a page turner with lots of gory details about zombie life and how a few survivors cope. If you are a fan of any medium of walking dead you will enjoy it.

Kirkman brings his universe to a new medium with decent success. A great supplement to the comic series. Fit's poorly with what was portrayed on the AMC show though. Book is clearly meant to fit in the cannon of the comics.

This was a great listen.

This book is a great ride. It brings the Governor to life as it reveals his back story. Very vivid and full of action. I personally couldn't put it down, and finished it within the early morning hours.

I despise the TV series. I despise it because of the politically correct nonsense force fed down peoples throats during season 1 and the just plain stupid manner the characters acted toward the end of that season. I've only watched a few episodes of other seasons and they mostly are drivel, particularly the evil character of "the Governor". So I did not expect much when someone recommended the novels. The novels....nothing like the series. And, unlike the series, these are very, very good. Very dark themes here and alot of surprises, particularly the ending. Although this book barely describes him, it essentially explains how and why the Governor character is the way he is. And why that is a good thing. A necessary thing. And the hypocrisy (and the terrible price for that hubris) of those that second guess such things.

Really enjoyed this book. Great character development, offering twists and turns throughout. The final twist at the end was a surprise, but at the same time, not. A great insight into the character of the Governor.

this is a must read!!!!!!!!!!!

Reading these novels have actually shed some light on how the Govenor became to be, since the show really didn't quite hit on it, but the book was so intense that I had to keep reading to find out how horrible a person can be during the time of world caos and what people are capable of becoming after losing everything and anyone close to them, but it is just fiction.

this was a Christmas gift, my daughter enjoys this series!

This novel gives us a look at how the Governor became who we all know and love to hate. We learn about how his life began at the begining of the zombie outbreak, his family and friends and the people they come across while they are trying to survive. I loved it because it's always interesting to know how the villan becomes the villan. You know, Were they always this way or did some crazy event turn them into the monster that they are? Great read. I was on the edge of my seat and I had a wide range of feelings for Philip as I went through each chapter.

This is the first novel I have ever sat and read the whole thing. I loved The Walking Dead TV series and wanted to start reading the books. This is a must read. You learn so much about the Governors background.

Loved the book. Well written, exciting and suspenseful. A "didn't see it coming" twist at the end. for a devoted fan of the TV series, the governor's backstory is a must-read.

This book is a fantastic expansion to Robert Kirkman's nightmarish world. This book lives up to the standard of the graphic novel and offers new perspectives into the transformation of a truly awful villain - The Governor.

This books ties up many loose ends and questions in the show. The rythem of the book coincides with the story telling of the book and the show. Excellent read for anyone who loves the show. Can't wait to the read the other books.

This book is great as a filler to those who are fans of the show The Walking Dead. It explains how the governor came to be. However it is poorly written. Should be priced at $4.99 or less.

I had to make myself finish this book. It was worse that the Road to Woodbury. I hate saying this because I love the "Walking Dead" series on TV. Can't wait until October!

Kept me on the edge of my seat. Literally. It's 7 am, I haven't slept cause I couldn't put it down. The twists, the turns, the emotion, the excitement didn't stop. Just when I thought I had it figured it out it did another twist that I wasn't expecting. My title says it all. 3 words sums up this book...... EXCELLENT EXCELLENT EXCELLENT

Would recommend this book to any walking dead fans! I can't tell you the last time I read a book, (not a book reader) but this book kept my interest and I can't wait for the next one to come out.

Love the tv show and needed my walking dead fix in the summer. This book was great, well written and is a good addition to the show. Its very different plot than the show, so they work well together.

Explains what makes the "Governor" tick. I had never read a "Walking Dead" book before, just watched the television show. But I really liked it.

Great way to get more walking dead

I really liked this book. I read all the negative comments about it and some of them are correct, but it was still worth reading. I will definitely recommend this to walking dead viewers.

Any one who wants to know more about the governor from the comic or the series, should read this book. Had a surprise twist at the end, that I didn't see coming.