Rot &Ruin is about Benny, a teenager who lives during the apocalypse. When Benny was very young, his parents turned into zombies on First Night. This memory haunts Benny, and painful images torture his mind.

"They had passed hundreds of zooms as they followed Lilah into the woods, and looking around they could see them standing there, dead eyes turned way (Maberry 366).

The setting establishes an eerie mood while building suspense. Being surrounded by a herd of zombies, Benny and Nix clearly face danger and uncertainty. This setting also gives a creepy mood, and builds conflict and moves the rising tension. Overall, the mood is creepy and eerie.

"There was a low moan, and Benny turned to see a gray skinned man shuffling slowly around the corner of the building. ... The man's eyes were missing, and the sockets gaped emptily. ... Worst of all, as the zombie raised its hands toward them, Benny saw that all of its fingers has been clipped off at the primary knuckles" (Maberry 67).

The setting of Rot & Ruin is in a town and the woods, separated by a chained fence. The woods is the Rot & Ruin, populated by many zombies. Here, Benny is horrified at a disgusting zombie. The description is very vivid.

"A cold hand closed around his ankle, and Benny screamed and kicked his foot loose. It was all the incentive he needed. He looked down the row. Past the Escalade there was a mix of Sedans and SUVs. They looked like s miniature mountain range. There were zooms on both sides of the outer rows of cars, but fewer on the inner rows" (Maberry 315).

The Rot & ruin is littered by trash and zombies and killers, a perfect combination for conflict. The setting makes the plot more interesting. Because of the setting, Benny has to fight harder to survive and rescue his friends. The setting provides rising tension and conflict, moving the story along.

"Everyone...in this stupid town acts like we're living in Mars. ... How many people even go to the Red Zone let alone all the way to the fence? ... We live behind fences, surrounded by the Rot and Ruin. Maybe you've heard of it? Big place, used to be called America? Filled with zoms?" (Maberry 42).

Benny complains to his brother about their town. He describes the setting and how it's affects the people who live there. The town is separated from the rest of the world by a fence, separated by the Rot & Ruin. People pretend not to know what goes on outside of the fence because of denial. All this is caused by the fence, part of the setting.

"Along the wall was a screen of pine trees, and it wasn't until they'd all reached them that Benny and Nix could see that there was a narrow path behind them, which lead...to a waterfall. The water cascaded out and away from the wall, and there was a cave...was a treasure trove" (Maberry 372).

The setting of a hidden cave filled with treasures symbolizes an escape from reality. The finding of this cave symbolizes finding an escape from the brutal reality that Benny and his friend Nix endure. The cave setting offers a break from their suffering and miserable lives. The cave in the Rot & Ruin is a treasure. Therefore, the setting represents a temporary safe haven from the the harsh world.

"The rain was hard and steady, but the sky above was still...dark... [Benny] had no idea how long this downpour would last. ... Benny faded back to the forest...slipping now and then in the mud... Those kids [who needed his help were also] filled with hope. ... When Benny fell, that image was what picked him up" (Maberry 403).

This is the final setting of Rot & Ruin. It is the raining setting. The setting includes a dark sky, which sets a dreadful, unhappy mood. The rain represents fear. The woods are unusually dark, showing a dark mood. Overall. The final setting is dark and dangerous.

Rot & Ruin by Jonothan Maberry.