Really enjoyed this, even better than 'The Infection'. ( )

Weeks have passed since the Infection started spreading, when one out of every five people suddenly collapsed, writhing in pain. It didn't kill them, but many wish it had, because after three days, those who originally fell, got back up and started attacking. The chased and bit into their victims to spread the infection, but they were not alone in their war. Strange creature appeared to help spread their infection or to kill.

A small band of uninfected set out to destroy a bridge leading to one encampment of survivors, and though they managed to stem the violent hordes on the other side of the chasm, a few of their own were bitten or, in Ray's case, were stung by one of the behemoth Demons -- gigantic creatures with stingered tentacles in constant search of victims. Anne, the leader of the small group demolishing the bridge, knows that she should kill him, but her heart tells her to let him be after all he's done to help the survivors.

Ray wanders off to find someplace to die, winding up in an empty house. Yet, after a fevered dream, he wakes up to discover that he has not died. He has somehow beat the infection. If he can beat it, then maybe he holds the cure! Ray decides to head to Washington, DC, to offer himself as a possible means to end the terror. But as he travels, he notices something strange about the infected, the way that they seem to be following him without attacking. It isn't until the horror at Camp Defiance when he finally learns what he's become.

And so has Anne and her small group of fighters. She convinces her group to put an end to the threat once and for all, beginning a chase between her and Ray that may mean the end for everyone.

"The Killing Floor" picks up from almost the exact same point as Craig DiLouie's "The Infection", but don't worry if you haven't read that first novel. DiLouie provides enough background as the story rushes forward so that you don't feel left behind. It carries over the amazing and awful creatures of the infection -- the hoppers, the juggernauts (or Demons), the infected people -- and with an unexpected twist to the tale, allows the infection to mutate in a surprising way.

Though I despised him, Ray becomes one of the most interesting aspects of the story. He's burdened with what he knows could potentially kill the remaining human life from the planet and struggles with that. He also becomes a pawn of the Infection, using it to his own advantage regardless of who he hurts in the process. And at times, I even felt sorry for some of the Infected who fell victim to Ray's manipulating.

The overall story is filled with bloody action and monsters galore -- a perfect apocalyptic vision of the world. It's an exciting read, and definitely one of my favorite books this year. ( )