Bowie Ibarra, Down The Road

Down The Road

Bowie Ibarra

Permuted Press, May 2006, 168 pp.

ISBN 0976555980

The illness struck New York City first, then quickly spread to the entire country. Everyone who contracted it died, but the latest rose up as undead zombies eating human flesh and spreading the disease through bites. George Zaragosa is determined to leave Austin and return to his hometown of San Uvalde to be with his family, but getting out of town isn't easy, as he has to avoid and kill the zombies by smashing their brains in; that's the only guarantee that they don't rise again.

In addition to avoiding the criminals who add to the chaos, George must also avoid Homeland Security and FEMA, who are forcibly putting the disease free people in camps where murder and enforced segregation are the norm. He is caught and put in a camp, but he escapes when the zombies break through. He finds refuge in a makeshift shelter run by a drug lord and his police allies. Escaping means more killing, but when George finds out what the leader of the group did, he feels it is his mission to take him out. In a world gone mad, it is not only zombies that are killers, but humans are exterminating one other.

Horror fans who want a real zombie killer thriller that pulls no punches, is full of action scenes, blood and gore, and violence that fits easily into the plot will want to get a copy of DOWN THE ROAD. The FEMA Camps are not so far fetched, as many victims of Hurricane Katrina who stayed behind know first hand. The protagonist is a passive young man who reacts to events, but never really takes charge, and that character trait leads him into more trouble.

Bowie's tale sets off in a world that is slowly falling apart. The reader is quickly thrown in to the action packed tale of George (undoubtedly named after George Romero after reading about Bowie's fixation with the director), who struggles to survive as he tries to reach his hometown San Uvalde.

The characterization is somewhat simplistic throughout the novel, but this doesn't seem to detract from the tale too much. Bowie's military group FEMA is a fabulous addition to the tale, screaming of a 'Brave New World' paranoia. The FEMA camps in particular deliver a haunting image that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Only lasting for a mere 149 pages, this post-apocalyptic zombie story is fast paced throughout, but ends somewhat abruptly. Packed with gory zombie violence, oppressive government actions, die hard militias and a revenge laced sub plot - this novel packs it all in.

The special edition version includes a three page introduction by Travis Adkins (author of the zombie novel Twilight of the Dead) which sings a mass of praise for the author and his novel. There is also a seven page "director's commentary" from Bowie Ibarra, detailing his inspiration for the novel and its writing. Finally the book finishes with a nine page snippet from the sequel entitled "Down The Road: On The Last Day".

All in all, this is a great read and a must have for any fan of the zombie horror genre.