I really enjoyed Max Brooks' "World War Z", and I bought this book as soon as I heard about it. Much like "World War Z", this book takes a documentary-style approach to its narrative, combining journal entries, interviews, and expert commentary to craft a story that feels alarmingly real. I had been holding onto this book since its release, and after finally diving into it, I was thoroughly engrossed. Since it was a full cast recording with some pretty big names (Jeff Daniels, Judy Greer, Kate Mulgrew, and Nathan Fillion, to name a few), I decided to do a tandem read with both the hardcover and the audio. The dual format added an incredible sense of tension and immediacy that heightened the creepiness.

 

The story is centered around a bloodbath discovered in the ruins of Greenloop, a remote, eco-friendly community near Mount Rainier. The discovery was made during rescue efforts that followed a fictional eruption of Mount Rainier in 2020 (I think). While the site is being searched, journals belonging to a woman named Kate Holland - a resident of Greenloop - are recovered. According to the journal entries, Greenloop was cut off from the outside world when the volcano erupted. Supplies run low, communication is severed, and the danger escalates when creatures resembling the mythical Sasquatch begin to stalk and attack the settlement. What follows is a horrifying descent into survival, where the lines between humanity and savagery blur in the fight to stay alive.

 

Brooks paints Greenloop as an idyllic, tech-forward community that thrives on the illusion of control and security. However, that illusion shatters once disaster strikes, and the modern conveniences that once made the residents feel safe suddenly become useless. Through Kate's eyes, we see both the fragility of civilization and the terrifying power of primal instincts as the Sasquatch attack and the residents slip into survival mode. The residents all start out as ordinary people, many ill-prepared for survival. Some cling to denial, believing help will come, while others crumble under the weight of fear and helplessness. But as the story progresses, a few begin to adapt and embrace their primal instincts, willing to do whatever it takes to stay alive.

 

The book's format is its biggest strength. The combination of Kate's journals, expert analysis, and fictional interviews creates a sense of authenticity. Brooks blends fact and fiction so seamlessly that it's easy to get lost in the narrative. The scientific speculation about Bigfoot as a species adds a layer of plausibility that makes the story all the more frightening. Much like "World War Z", this book feels like a story that could actually happen, which is part of what makes it so effective. I had to keep reminding myself that none of this was real.

 

In terms of pacing, the book is perfectly structured. It starts with a slow burn, allowing the reader to get to know the characters and setting before the horror begins to unfold. But once the Sasquatch attacks begin, the story becomes relentless. Speaking of the Bigfoot clan, I really loved how the author portrayed them not as mindless monsters but as a cunning, organized species capable of strategic thinking. The tension builds as their presence goes from a vague threat in the woods to a full-blown nightmare. I could feel the dread creeping in as the characters realized just how outmatched they were. Every sound in the dark, every snapped twig, every shadow, every distant howl ratchets up the tension until it becomes nearly unbearable. I was completely breathless at times.

 

In the end, I really loved this book. It combines the thrills of a survival story with elements of horror done in a documentary style that makes it all feel very real. Max Brooks once again demonstrates his talent for blending fiction with realism, crafting a tale that is both wildly creative and eerily believable. If you're a fan of cryptid lore, survival horror, or speculative fiction, this book is a must-read. I can easily see myself revisiting it in the future. Highly recommended!