Reviewed by Daniel Ryan Johnson
The postapocalyptic world created by Viktor Csák is vast. Even if you are unaware that Monster Hunting in Newtonville is a follow-up to his novel Welcome to the Silent Zone, it is quickly clear that there is a much bigger story out there than the snapshot we see in this book. At the same time, readers new to the universe can dive right in without feeling lost. Purchase Here.
Csák does a great job of building suspense throughout the novel, and the end of each chapter makes you eager to start the next. While there is not too much time devoted to character building, the cast of the story is still compelling, and the reader is drawn into their story. Despite not being a direct sequel, Monster Hunting in Newtonville does feature a brief appearance by the main characters of the original novel as they pass through town, hinting that their story will continue to be told in further works.
Throughout the story, the main character, John Debenham, is focused on his plan to earn a ride off the continent so he can find his wife and daughter, who escaped at the beginning of the pandemic. However, it is almost immediately clear that this plan will not go smoothly, and throughout the book, one thing after another goes wrong. One of the most intriguing aspects of the story is how John adapts to these setbacks and continues to find ways to work toward his ultimate goal.
Monster Hunting in Newtonville is more than a horror-thriller. It is also a commentary on our modern world. The story depicts a brutal world that, aside from the horrors of a zombie-like apocalypse, is not unlike our own. Even while North America has fallen to this infection, the world moves on. The tragedy and destruction that have become a part of the everyday lives of the survivors captivate the world for a time, but then other disasters and conflicts elsewhere begin to draw the rest of the world’s attention away. This reflects many of the current wars and conflicts around the world, where support for those suffering through these tragedies begins to falter as new problems arise elsewhere that draw global attention away.