First published 2011
Philip Blake never imagined he would become the most feared man in Georgia. Before the zombie outbreak, before he ruled the fortified town of Woodbury with an iron fist, he was just another survivor trying to protect what remained of his family. Now he forces captives to fight walkers in makeshift arenas while his citizens cheer. He severs limbs from anyone who defies his authority. The townspeople call him The Governor, and they follow his twisted version of justice because the alternative is death in the wasteland beyond Woodbury's walls. But Philip's reign of terror didn't emerge overnight. Each brutal decision built upon the last, each compromise with his conscience made the next atrocity easier to commit. As the undead hordes press against Woodbury's barriers and rival groups threaten his control, Philip discovers that survival demands sacrifices he never thought himself capable of making. The question isn't whether he can protect his people, but whether there will be anything left of his humanity when the killing finally stops.
Genres: adventure, horror, action, apocalyptic
Vibes: dark, emotional, fast-paced, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: Georgia, Woodbury
Period: Zombie Outbreak
308 pages · Hardcover · Thomas Dunne Books
Content warnings: graphic-violence, violence