Yes, I know it was published just over a month ago, on 9/11/2018.  But IT'S THE WALKING DEAD!  Just HAVE THINGS I WANT TO READ!  HAVE THEM!  THAT'D BE GREAT, THANKS!!!!

Rick continues to oscillate wildly between unhinged psycho-killer and alleged Greatest Leader the World has Ever Seen. Negan turns out to just be The Governor dialled up to 11. Far more interesting is the latter parts where we focus more on Carl and we get new antagonists, the Whisperers. They are an intriguing psychological response to the Zombie Apocalypse, which seems to have been going on for a while now.

The war has begun. Rick, Maggie, Jesus, Andrea, King Ezekiel and Michonne have started the war by going to the Sanctuary where Negan and his crew live and attacking them and leading a heard of zombies to their front door so to speak. They are hoping that the zombies will trap them inside and they will run out of food and water then the war will be over before it actually starts. But of course they know that will not happen. Negan is way too smart for that one.

After being attacked by Alexandria, the Hilltop and the Kingdom Negan and crew make their way to Alexandria and attack Rick and his people by blowing up their homes. Rick, Andrea, King Ezekiel, Michonne and everyone at Alexandria take off for the Hilltop to stay until they can rebuild Alexandria and the war is over.

While they are at the Hilltop Negan brings his crew there to retaliate. Of course Rick knew that he would so they were expecting them and was prepared as much as they possible could be. As with any war there were a few casualties on both sides. Who will win the war?

Carl decides that he wants to go live at the Hilltop to learn how to be a blacksmith. When he leaves Alexandria he is given a letter from a girl Anna whom Carl has had a crush on for a while. Anna tells Carl not read her letter until after he reaches the Hilltop. Upon arriving at the Hilltop guess who is waiting for Carl? Sophia that’s who and she just happens to like Carl too.

A man that had been sent out on a scouting expedition returns without his buddies. He tells Maggie that he left his friend behind because he got scared when he saw this group of people who at first he took to be zombies until they tried to stab him. Maggie then sends out a group to find the man that he left out there alone with an injured leg and after being attacked by the Whisperers they brings back one of their people with them as a hostage to learn more of this group that call themselves the Whisperers. The hostage that they have brought back Carl takes a liking to her real quick like. Carl now has three girls chasing after him. The first one would be Sophia from the Hilltop, the second one would be Anna from Alexandra and the third would be Lydia from the Whisperers.

The Walking Dead is my all-time favorite tv show and book. I love me some zombies. I love the undead world and can’t get enough of it. I really, really loved reading about Rick, Carl, Andrea, Michonne, King Ezekiel, Maggie, Sophia and even Negan. Negan will keep you rolling on the ground laughing at all times.

Ready for some zombie biting, stabbing, killing end of the world adventures? Ready for all out war? If you love zombies then I think you will fall in love with The Walking Dead. Come join in the war against humans who want to be in control and against zombies who want to take over the world. Come join Rick, Maggie, Carl, King Ezekiel and everyone else as they try to make the world a safe place to live.

Another good, if massive section. Kirkman isn't frightened to make hard choices, even if the story does seem to be largely male driven. I'm not sure, for instance, if WD would pass the Bechel test. The developments regarding Maggie do make up for much of this, and the shading of Michonne's character is wonderful. I do wonder if I am the only one who wants to smack Carl.

Spoilers ahead.

In volume 23, Carl left the Hilltop colony to follow the Whisperers because of Lydia. And after reading this, I feel I can say Lydia was telling the truth. She doesn't like what her group does, but I suppose she feels she has no other choice than to follow them. I also understand Carl caring. It is good to care, but at the same, they've known each other a very short time. How could he know for sure she was trustworthy? He doesn't. And even if he did know for sure, his actions were stupid. He has not only put himself in danger but everything and everyone in Alexandria are now also in danger because of his actions, because he acts without thinking. I have to say, I've not been happy with Carl these last few volumes.

I also wonder what Negan is up to. How did his cell get unlocked? He says he wants there to be trust in his relationship with Rick. After all, Negan is done, I just don't know how he can expect trust from anyone.

And the Whisperers. . . Their beliefs are crazy. They are definitely dangerous. I feel for Rick and everyone else. Things have been peaceful, maybe even normal. It seems now they will have to defend themselves again.

And Maggie had to make a hard decision. I just wonder how Rick will react to it.

The ending made me even less happy with Carl. Maybe I'm being harsh on him, but if he'd only listened, I think those people would still be alive.

I can't wait to read the volume. I wish I could read it right away, but I'll have to wait for my library to get it.