For some reason, ever since the old world died at the teeth and nails of its infected citizens, zombies inevitably shambled their way to Oregon. Nobody seemed to know why. For even more mysterious reasons, people built a city there, in the middle of the sea of dead - a city that turned into a veritable paradise: Bentlam. Now pilgrims flock from across the globe to venture beyond the giant wall of the Zombie Preserve in hopes of reaching the world's greatest remaining city. Blake Prose, on the other hand, is an idealistic Texan who simply wants to reach his family in Portland, another city managing to thrive amidst the rotting hordes. But when he meets a little girl in trouble and a beautiful scientist who is determined to see the girl to safety, Blake's simple plans suddenly turn as wild and hair-raising as the darkest pits of zombie country itself. From romance on a train to being lynched on the trail; from being named successor to the legendary Western Ranger to competing in the Outbreak Festival; from the horrible secrets of Bentlam to the strange catacombs of a magical library, and finally to a confrontation with the true rulers of the Zombie Preserve - Blake learns why a person content to go to paradise alone will never go to paradise. This is Vol.1 of 5, in which Blake gains passage into the Zombie Preserve and quickly proceeds to make powerful enemies.
