Wake is a meticulously plotted novel about a group of survivors who find themselves isolated in and unable to escape from Kahukura – a fictitious area in the Tasman District. It starts like a scene from Dawn of the Dead but turns into a horror story that is more psychological than gory. All the characters are flawed and interesting, and the supernatural and alien elements Knox adds into the mix are intriguing. It is a great premise for a novel and is expertly executed.