The Living and the Dead (trilogy)

The Living and the Dead is a science fiction horror trilogy of novels by American author John Steakley. The trilogy consists of Armor (1984), Vampires (1990), and the unfinished, posthumously published fragment The Living and the Dead (2010).

The series is notable for its gritty, realistic depiction of warfare, complex characters grappling with trauma and existential crises, and a blend of science fiction and horror elements.

• Armor focuses on Felix, a soldier in power armor fighting an alien insect horde. It explores themes of post-traumatic stress disorder, the dehumanizing effects of war, and the search for meaning in a violent universe.

• Vampires presents a modern take on the vampire mythos, portraying them as biologically engineered creatures. The novel follows various individuals as they confront the vampire threat, including soldiers, scientists, and even the vampires themselves. It delves into themes of morality, genetic engineering, and the nature of evil.

• The Living and the Dead, the unfinished third volume, was compiled and released after Steakley's death. This fragment continues the narrative threads from the previous two books, offering further exploration of the characters and the evolving world. The series, as a whole, is ambitious in scope, attempting to weave together seemingly disparate storylines and themes into a cohesive narrative about humanity's struggle against external and internal threats.