The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor
Winner of the 2011 Diamond Gem Award for Trade Book of the Year
In the Walking Dead universe, there is no greater villain than The Governor. The despot who runs the walled-off town of Woodbury, he has his own sick sense of justice: whether it's forcing prisoners to battle zombies in an arena for the townspeople's amusement, or chopping off the appendages of those who cross him. The Governor was voted "Villain of the Year" by Wizard magazine the year he debuted, and his story arc was the most controversial in the history of the Walking Dead comic book series. Now, for the first time, fans of The Walking Dead will discover how The Governor became the man he is, and what drove him to such extremes.
Reviews (178)
An Interesting Introduction to the Walking Dead character we all love to hate!
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 :)
Origin story for one of the greatest Walking Dead villains
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.
Very well done
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.
A fun read, but not perfect...
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.
The Rise of the Governor or the Antichrist?
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.
...The Dead shall walk the Earth.
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
Insights For Us Arm Chair Forensic Psychiatrists To How The Governor Became The Governor!
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.
Eh... it was ok
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.
holy crap this is good, hooks you and doesnt let go!
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.
A fun interesting read for Walking Dead fans
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.
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