This is the second book in Petersen’s Living With The Dead series, and it picks up a few months after the zombie plague has hit. Sarah and David have...moreThis is the second book in Petersen’s Living With The Dead series, and it picks up a few months after the zombie plague has hit. Sarah and David have made their way south and are in their first weeks in their new business, Zombiebusters Exterminators, Inc. They have become mercenaries who will wipe out your zombie infestation for a price. Oddly enough, their relationship is getting better and better—almost as if their constant togetherness and their finely honed teamwork are working together to strengthen their personal relationship.
In this book, the couple is hired to provide a scientist, Dr. Kevin Barnes, with fresh zombies. As they begin to gather the required zombies, they discover that they are running into zombies who are much faster and much smarter than the average undead creature. In the meantime, Kevin starts to put the moves on Sarah, much to her delight and David’s displeasure. Eventually both the personal and professional situations come to a head, and Sarah and David must fight their way through a fierce battle with the super zombies. I guess it just goes to show that there is always a mad scientist mixed up in every single zombie plague?
Since there are many zombie battles, blood and body parts and other gore are spurting in many of the scenes. The dark humor continues, although not as much as in book 1 (Married with Zombies). Contains: Graphic violence and gore
This is the first book in Petersen’s Living With The Dead series, and I’m not sure whether to classify it as romance, horror, romance, or urban fantas...moreThis is the first book in Petersen’s Living With The Dead series, and I’m not sure whether to classify it as romance, horror, romance, or urban fantasy. It has a bit of all three. Although the cover blurb for Married with Zombies calls it a romantic comedy, the humor is dark, there's not much romance, and it certainly doesn’t have the “happily ever after” ending generally expected in paranormal romances. The premise of the series is that a zombie-causing plague hits Seattle, beginning with an accident in a scientific lab. The plague soon spreads worldwide (10 to 25 minutes from first bite to full zombification), with the majority of the population becoming zombies. Sarah and David, a struggling married couple, are the protagonists, with Sarah narrating the story. Luckily, they escape the plague, but unluckily, they live in Seattle and must escape from the zombie-filled city.
Married with Zombies follows the couple as they leave Seattle and head south, battling zombies every step of the way. The plot is heavily influenced by the couple's troubled marriage(they were on their way to couples therapy when the zombie plague hit). By the end of Married with Zombies, Sarah and David have been forced to work closely together and depend upon one another in life-threatening situations, and their relationship has grown stronger. The dark comedy comes from scenes in which the couple's marital woes intrude into their zombie battles. For example, when David leaves the toilet seat up, Sarah is initially furious, but then the situation turns to her favor when she smashes the seat down on a zombie's head when it attacks her from behind the shower curtain. Since this is a zombie series, there are many, many graphic zombie-killing scenes with spurting brain matter, sludgy black zombie blood, and exploding body parts. Contains: Graphic violence and gore
The “host”, David Murphy, starts off by stating, “So you’ve been bitten by a zombie. Bummer.” Zombies for Zombies is a parody of the popular “for dumm...moreThe “host”, David Murphy, starts off by stating, “So you’ve been bitten by a zombie. Bummer.” Zombies for Zombies is a parody of the popular “for dummies” books. This time, zombies are the target audience. In the world of the book, zombies are capable of retaining some sort of intelligence if steps are taken at the very beginning of the transformation. This book aims at helping the newly minted keep their brains about them. Each chapter focuses on many different topics, such as how to dress as a zombie, fitness ideas, how to overcome the dreaded zombie stigma and even how to enjoy the ‘kama sutra’. Also included are actual brain recipes that should make any hungry reader salivate. Tossed among the pages are quirky quizzes and humorous illustrations that add a bit of snark to the text.
The author writes in a real tongue-and-cheek fashion which will have any zombie fan laughing out loud. The book is clever, and not overly gory in details, so even the most light-hearted zombie enthusiast could read this book over breakfast. Okay, if they’re squeamish maybe they should skip the brain recipes. All in all, this book is an entertaining addition to the many zombie books shuffling into the genre. Besides, if a reader actually becomes a zombie, this book could very well save not their lives (they are undead after all) but their wits during the whole transition period. Readers who like this might also try the newest addition to this series titled Zombies for Zombies: The Play and Werk Buk: The World’s Best Selling Guide for the Living Dead. I would highly recommend this book for general nonfiction collections in public libraries. Contains: some mildly graphic descriptions and illustrations, references and illustrations of sexual positions. Reviewed by: Dawn Stahura(less)
If you can get past the fact that the heroine of this novel is a flesh-eating zombie, you might just enjoy this stand-alone novel. While the gross-out...moreIf you can get past the fact that the heroine of this novel is a flesh-eating zombie, you might just enjoy this stand-alone novel. While the gross-out level is very high (these are zombies, after all) the story does have some poignant and tender moments (really, it does).
In this world, buried bodies rise as zombies; only cremated bodies stay dead. Nine years ago, 15-year-old Jessie was killed in an automobile accident along with her parents. Now, Jessie lives in the woods near the Indiana-Illinois border just south of the southern tip of Lake Michigan, living off the local wildlife. The first third of the book deals with Jessie's life with her ragtag gang of fellow zombies—the Fly-by Nights. The middle section explores the mystery of strange physical changes that are occurring both among the zombies and the hoos (humans). The final section functions like a supernatural Book of Revelation, with an apocalypse followed by a redemption of sorts.
As the story moves along, Jessie's relationships with her gang members change, and she has some unsettling experiences with her long-lost brother and sister when they show up in her zombie world. The plot has some definite parallels to Steven King's The Stand (e.g., a man-made plague, multiple characters having the same dream and feeling compelled to travel to a certain place). The book ties into the butterfly effect— the theory that one innocent action can ripple out and affect the entire world, and not in a good way. In this case, though, it's not a butterfly flapping its wings in the rain forest; it's a zombie's one-time attempt to reconnect with her mortal sister.
The violence factor is very high, with lots of gnashing of teeth, bloody body parts, maggots and beetles crawling out of various body cavities, and rotted limbs falling off and being left to decay in the woods. Jessie is a true urban fantasy heroine—more rural than urban, but on her own and filled with angst about her "life" and her relationships. Jessie's gang members are in various states of "zombieness"—from newly turned 'maldies (formaldehyde-preserved corpses) to bug-infested feeders to dusties on the verge of final death—and they all have their own personalities and problems, so the group dynamics are interesting—kind of like the gang from Lord of the Flies, only undead. Contains: Violence and gore.
Natasha sees dead people. She is a ghost whisperer, who helps restless spirits pass to the other side. Unfortunately, everyone else is now seeing dead...moreNatasha sees dead people. She is a ghost whisperer, who helps restless spirits pass to the other side. Unfortunately, everyone else is now seeing dead people. Zombies have risen and they are hungry. With the help of her college roommate, who has a special talent of her own, and a friendly ghost, it's up to Natasha to save the world.
With Dead Stay Dead, Paul Jessup has written a fast and fun little zombie tale. 72 pages of horror and humor showcase Jessup's ability to mix gore with comedy. The action starts on page one and barely lets up, with heads exploding, zombies chowing down, and jokes flying left and right. The dialogue crackles between Natasha, her roommate Melissa, and the few survivors they encounter along the way. Even the zombies are funny, on occasion. Jessup also manages to give us some back story that puts a twist on the whole zombie apocalypse.
If you are a zombie fan, looking for a gruesome and humorous story, or a library looking to add a nice zombie novella to your collection, I recommend Dead Stay Dead.
Contains: Gore, violence and strong language. Reviewed by: Erik Smith(less)
Allison Hewitt is a snarky graduate student at work in the local bookstore when zombies invade, trapping her in the break room with her coworkers and...moreAllison Hewitt is a snarky graduate student at work in the local bookstore when zombies invade, trapping her in the break room with her coworkers and a couple of regulars. These are not people she would choose to spend time with, so she hooks into a military wireless network and starts blogging.
Allison Hewitt is Trapped actually started out as a blog. The blog is still up, and the entries have an immediacy that brings the story to life. As Allison’s story progressed, some of the blog’s followers started to comment, adding originality, context, and believability to the situation. Unfortunately, some of this is lost in the book. That’s partly due to the author framing the story as historical (someone tracks down Allison’s blog entries in hopes that she will be included in a book on heroes of the apocalypse) and partly due to her signing a contract with St. Martin’s, which led to her writing the rest as a novel. In the case of Allison Hewitt, format really does make a difference.
Allison and the bookstore crew do eventually escape, and she goes on a search for her mom. She stays for a short time at a refugee camp at the university, where she quickly falls for the guy in charge, who also happens to be married. His wife shows up just before a newly formed cult of deranged housewives decides to take prisoners, and, after showing what can really be done with a laptop, Allison is back on the road searching for her mom.
Allison Hewitt is Trapped is a gripping, literate read. Allison’s dark humor, passion, determination, and decisive action carry the story, and the secondary characters are a lot of fun. I will say it’s hard to believe a religious cult could develop as quickly as the Black Earth Mothers- the story takes place over a very short time, less than three months. Allison’s love affair is also very brief, if intense, and it’s confusing (and annoying) that her friends have such immediate antipathy towards the wife. But these things didn’t slow me down or prevent me from enjoying the book. I fell in love with Allison the day she went scavenging for food in the bookstore and instead started grabbing armfuls of books, knowing that she’d probably draw unwanted attention (she did).
Allison Hewitt is Trapped has been packaged as an urban fantasy, and it’s been blurbed by MaryJanice Davidson as being incredibly funny. I’d say that’s misleading. Yes, parts of it take place in a city, but there’s nothing supernatural (zombification is caused by a virus), and the romance is understated. It’s not funny in a laugh out loud sense, either. Although Allison often writes with humor, she isn’t playing for laughs. She’s doing her best to survive, and trying to reach her mom. MaryJanice Davidson’s readers aren’t the audience for this… but smart, literate women who love zombies (or can at least handle the gore) will love Allison Hewitt is Trapped. Highly recommended for public libraries and lovers of zombie fiction. Review by Kirsten Kowalewski(less)
Dr. Dale’s Zombie Dictionary is just that—a dictionary of all of the terms and phrases you might need to know in the event of a zombie apocalypse. It...moreDr. Dale’s Zombie Dictionary is just that—a dictionary of all of the terms and phrases you might need to know in the event of a zombie apocalypse. It contains some very practical information, like what types of weapons to use; the best kind of clothing to wear; panic zones to avoid if you want to live; and where the best places are to hide. Dr. Dale even gives advice on the proper soundtrack (playing in your head of course—the zombies would hear you otherwise) to aid you in your survival. Of course one crucial bit of information that is repeated found throughout the book is that there is no cure!
Along with the practical stuff there’s also some not-so-practical information to be found in the dictionary. For instance, you can’t use a hedgehog as a weapon; musical instruments that might make good weapons; why Michael Jackson will be responsible for many deaths because of the “Thriller” video; and how to train a sheep to attack. Dr. Dale doesn’t take himself too seriously here. Even the common sense info (and there’s actually quite a bit of it) is sprinkled with comedy.
Dr. Dale’s Zombie Dictionary is a fun and practical guide to survival. It did take me a while to read but only because it’s laid out like a dictionary, not a regular book. It is definitely a fun (and informative) read. I feel I am now fully prepared to survive the zombie hoards when they finally come. Recommended. Contains: Adult language, creepy illustrations, lots of sarcasm Reviewed by: Colleen Wanglund(less)
With the first page we know there is something “different” about Peter Mellor. Peter is a zombie. He wakes up not knowing who he is or where he is. It...moreWith the first page we know there is something “different” about Peter Mellor. Peter is a zombie. He wakes up not knowing who he is or where he is. It seems that he has been in a fatal car accident, hence the zombification. His memory of anything before the wreck is spotty at best. Title of the rock song on the radio? No idea. The year? Clueless. The Simpsons? Yes, and he specifically remembers Chief Wiggum. This is what makes Peter special. He is a zombie, but he can remember some events, feelings, and memories. He can even remember what sarcasm is and on more than one occasion uses it. Peter sets out to find people (not to eat them, though). He learns he has a girlfriend who he really cares about, and decidesf to find her. At this point Peter is still passing as a human, albeit a sick-looking one. He has not had any of the delicious zombie staple, brains. Gradually, the human that Peter was before and the zombie that he is now, meld. Peter is able to justify the eating of human brains because zombies are higher on the food chain. He gathers his own gang of zombies and they travel throughout the countryside, feasting on any humans that cross their path. This makes him happy for a while, or at least as happy as a zombie can get. In the end, though, Peter’s residual humanness rears its head and he finally has to decide who or what he is. This book is in turns funny and profound. It definitely left me with unexpected thoughts and feelings. It left me with ideas and concepts that I mulled over days after I finished the book. I would highly recommend it for library collections. Contains: Strong language, gory violence. Reviewed by: Brandi Blankenship(less)
When zombies attack, the small town of Haven, population 2000, is on its own. Police officer Johnny Silverman does what he can to safeguard the popula...moreWhen zombies attack, the small town of Haven, population 2000, is on its own. Police officer Johnny Silverman does what he can to safeguard the populace and maintain law and order. After a fence is built around the entire town, and the zombies inside have been eradicated, it seems that everyone is safe, if not comfortable. But there is a rift among the people of Haven. Not everyone agrees on the best way to live. And soon, the monsters outside the fence begin to pale in comparison to those on the inside.
Zombie books are a dime a dozen. The permeate bookstore shelves. An author needs a unique approach to get noticed, whether it's the talking, driving zombies in Brian Keene's The Rising or a mash-up like Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. What’s different here is that the zombies of Dead Beat are window dressing. This story could have taken place in the midst of a nuclear war or natural disaster. The real horror here is the human horror. It's the story of the breakdown of civilization; those who attempt to keep the world on track, and those who wish to take advantage of a terrifying situation. The zombie apocalypse brings out the true nature of the characters, and sometimes that is more frightening than the flesh-eating corpses shambling around, trying to eat your brains.
Remy Porter tells a fine tale of the collapse of the known world. The characters are more than cookie cutter survivors- they have distinct personalities. There is growth here. And there are twists, and one hell of an interesting ending. Purists need not :worry, there is plenty of bloody zombie goodness. Dead Beat isn't the greatest zombie novel out there, but reading it isn't a bad way to spend an afternoon.
The Reapers are the Angels is an unexpected treasure, and might easily be overlooked by otherwise avid horror readers. A gothic southern tale of a gir...moreThe Reapers are the Angels is an unexpected treasure, and might easily be overlooked by otherwise avid horror readers. A gothic southern tale of a girl who lives alone after the zombie uprising it does for zombies what Interview with a Vampire did for vampires.
Temple is barely a teenager, left to survive in a failing world. She's illiterate, and has never know family or a world without zombies, yet she's searching the world for something she can't put a name to. Despite her very different way of thinking, she's easily an Everyman for a wide swath of the readers who find this book.
Intensely strange, deeply emotional, this is a zombie tale not to be missed, or underestimated in the sea of knockoff bio-horror/apocalyptic books. I cannot recommend this book highly enough/ Readers should be aware that Bell's intoxicating tale will pull you in and make it very hard to let go. An absolute must-have for modern horror collections. Highly recommended.
Brains is billed as an intellectual zombie novel. It's about college professor Jack Barnes, who becomes a zombie during the zombie apocalypse, but ret...moreBrains is billed as an intellectual zombie novel. It's about college professor Jack Barnes, who becomes a zombie during the zombie apocalypse, but retains his mind and ability to write. He finds other zombies who have retained their minds, and various other skills, and sets out to find his place in the world.
Brains is quite literate and well-written. Unfortunately, the main character is a complete pompous jerk who spends the entire book prattling on in academic and pop culture references about how stupid all the humans and other zombies are, while also making zombies out to be total victims of the human evil. If you like to be constantly talked down to by a gore-loving, cannibal killer who alternates between thinking he's Jesus and a tragic victim of human racism (at one point he likens his situation to that of the Katrina victims) under the guise of making a statement about human nature you might like this book. If you want a semi-Christian, intellectual zombie book then pick up one of Kim Paffenroth's books instead.
I want to note that I think Robin Becker is a skilled, powerful writer, I just loathed being in the head of her main character, which made reading this book like scrubbing the bathroom after a toilet overflow—that is I didn't enjoy it and felt gross afterward.
Contains: Violence, gore, language, sexual language
Randy has been trying to stay alive for the last six months, ever since the dead began to rise. He’s finding it more and more difficult, and has resig...moreRandy has been trying to stay alive for the last six months, ever since the dead began to rise. He’s finding it more and more difficult, and has resigned himself to death. Luckily for him, Becca has found him and taken him back to her secure building. Randy is amazed by how much food Becca has managed to store away. She even has a garden for fresh fruit and vegetables. They manage to secure some other supplies and Randy is content to spend the rest of his days secure with Becca. Randy’s contentment is short-lived when the young couple receives an unexpected visitor. Crow has returned from Baltimore and wants Becca to return with him.
Becca falls into a very somber mood, but Randy thinks she may be returning to normal when she accompanies him on a pharmacy raid to complete a deal Randy has made for a truck. Unfortunately, when Randy wakes up the next morning he finds Becca gone. Randy is determined to bring Becca back and make sure Crow never bothers them again.
Armand Rosamilia has turned zombies on their heads with Highway to Hell. They don’t just feed on the living they completely eviscerate the genitals of the living. He has given a nod to Edgar Allan Poe by setting his story in and around Baltimore and has established a pocket of humanity, such as it is, with the Poe House as its center. Crow, it turns out, is even more dangerous than the zombies and is one depraved son of a gun. His Hellfire Club uses and abuses humans and zombies alike. Rosamilia has also included the short story “Rear Guard”, about a ragtag group of survivors led by ex-military men who are no prize, either. He joins the stories with this group passing by Randy and Becca’s hideout along the highway. Both stories are brutal and leave no room for happy endings. If you’ve got an e-reader you should check it out. Recommended.
Contains violence, gore, adult language and graphic sexual images
In this second installment of The Jake Helman Files, the former cop, now private investigator, has discovered that zombies really do exist. While look...moreIn this second installment of The Jake Helman Files, the former cop, now private investigator, has discovered that zombies really do exist. While looking into the disappearance of a woman’s grandson Jake discovers that the drug Black Magic is turning its users into zombies….literally. Prince Malachi and his voodoo sorceress girlfriend Katrina have run all of the other drug lords out of business and they are poised to take over the entire city. They have also eliminated the availability of any other street drug in order to push Black Magic. Jake has found himself in the middle of one of the most vicious crime sprees to hit the city, due in part to a bad economy, cuts to services and a threatened strike by the cops. After Jake is almost killed by a gang of zombies—twice—he is determined to find out what is behind their existence and the emergence of Black Magic. With a little help from the psychic next door and Jake’s ex-partner Edgar, who is investigating a series of gruesome machete murders, Jake hopes to rid the city of this threat to its stability.
Part paranormal fantasy, part crime drama, and part horror, Desperate Souls is a great read. The character development is spot-on, and Jake himself is very likeable. The pace of the story holds up the whole way making for quite a page-turner. Greg Lamberson has done his homework, making sure that police procedure is realistic and the voodoo-created zombies quite believable. There are twists to this story that left me saying “holy crap!” and that was even before the unpredictable ending. While you don’t need to have read Personal Demons (book one of The Jake Helman Files) to follow the story in Desperate Souls, I do recommend reading Personal Demons first. With plenty of action, gore and the supernatural, Desperate Souls is highly recommended. Contains sex, adult language, violence and gore Colleen Wanglund(less)
Jerrod Hikens is a lawyer, and he is also zombie. He is one of many Zombie Citizens living and working among the human population, thanks to the tirel...moreJerrod Hikens is a lawyer, and he is also zombie. He is one of many Zombie Citizens living and working among the human population, thanks to the tireless work of researchers during the War. Jerrod has been asked by Rusty, a cop and a zombie to take the case of a murder defendant as a public defender. Unfortunately, Jerrod’s potential client, Ken Yerns, has just broken out of jail, blowing up the police station in the process. Ken has figured out a way to cause the zombies to revert back to their old ways of eating flesh and tearing people aparat. Now he is on the move with a zombie horde, committing robberies and murder.
With the help of Rusty and Jerrod’s ex-wife Janice, a researcher on zombies, Jerrod hopes to find his client and find out how he was able to turn Zombie Citizens back into mindless, flesh-eating zombies. Jerrod finds a folder in his office that basically tells how the research was originally done and how scientists were able to create the Zombie Citizens. From there Jerrod and Rusty follow the trail of Ken’s arrest record to a doctor at a psychiatric hospital and then Janice. What was the process and can it be reversed? Can they find Ken before his zombie horde gets too out of control?
While I thought this was a pretty good story it fell a bit short. I didn’t like Jerrod just happening to find a folder with the research information into the “how” of Zombie Citizens in his office. Where did he get it from? I also would have liked more of an explanation into the “how” in the first place. There just wasn’t enough backstory. I also wondered where all of the city’s cops were. A police station was blown up killing all of the cops inside, but what about other stations or other cops? What about state or federal police to help out while this zombie horde was running around? I expected more characters and maybe more meat (no pun intended) to this story. I was a bit disappointed in Dead Practices. It does read like a YA title, and it seems to be just the first part of a series so maybe more of what I expected will come along as the story unfolds. However I’m still skeptical. Unless you’re a young adult, I say pass on this one.
Day by Day Armageddon was a refreshing, riveting, entry in the ever-growing zombie genre. Day by Day Armageddon: Beyond Exile give us a continuation o...moreDay by Day Armageddon was a refreshing, riveting, entry in the ever-growing zombie genre. Day by Day Armageddon: Beyond Exile give us a continuation of tale of our survivor. After he and a small band of survivors have successfully survived an attack by marauders he finds a small group of Marines who are in need of leadership, and discovers that there is still a remnant of the U.S. Military left. He also is discovering more and more that the zombies that come from the irradiated lands seem to be disturbingly faster and possibly smarter than the other zombies. Day by Day Armageddon: Beyond Exile is written in the same first person diary journal format. Bourne continues his world building and I suspect that the direction he has decided to take this book will leave fans of the first title to either love it or hate it. Bourne leaves more questions than answers with mysterious high tech weapons drops, continued insinuations that the zombies from the radioactive land are more than they appear to be, and at the very end, hints that the source of the zombie plague will be a stretch of the imagination. The pacing is good and the action keeps rolling along, and the book does have moments where it reverts to the original lone man in a world filled with zombies from the first book, which Bourne does very well. In this book our character ends up with more people to command and more resources at his control, so in some ways it has a very different feel than the first. I was a fan of his first book, and I would say that libraries should include this sequel so that fans and readers will get a chance to decide for themselves whether they like the direction Bourne is taking this tale. Contains violence, and gore.(less)
Security consultant Amber Redgrave is having a bad day. Her latest client was killed on her watch, and she’s been told by her “boss”, John Richmond, t...moreSecurity consultant Amber Redgrave is having a bad day. Her latest client was killed on her watch, and she’s been told by her “boss”, John Richmond, that she should take a break from her job. This doesn’t set well with her, however, so when an emergency call comes in about the rescue mission Richmond is getting ready to go on, she talks herself up and onto the rescue team without his knowledge. Needless to say, once Richmond shows up at the meet-up point and realizes Redgrave is there, he is not happy, but it is too late to find anyone else at that point. The team is briefed on their mission, rescuing two children held hostage at an abandoned mining village, and then are on their way. Once at their destination, the team doesn’t find what they are expecting, however. Instead, all seems quiet… until the undead start coming out to attack! Putting a fresh new spin on the zombie sub-genre, Shaun Jeffrey has created a new species of zombies. Jeffrey’s zombies don’t shamble about slowly and stiffly. They move fast and will hunt you down! And that’s not the ONLY thing special about these zombies, but I don’t want to spoil the surprise. Following up his previous release, The Kult, Jeffrey has managed to come up with yet another story that will leave readers flipping the pages frantically to see what will happen next. For both zombie fans and those who aren’t, this is a thriller novel that you don’t want to miss. Shaun Jeffrey is an author to be remembered in the horror industry as his novels keep you on the edge of your seat. Highly recommended! Contains: Adult language, Violence, Mild Gore Review by Rhonda Wilson(less)
Zombie Zoology, an anthology by Severed Press, is no ordinary zombie anthology. There are no human zombies here….it’s all Mother Nature’s finest creat...moreZombie Zoology, an anthology by Severed Press, is no ordinary zombie anthology. There are no human zombies here….it’s all Mother Nature’s finest creatures hungry for the taste of flesh. If you’ve ever wondered what happened to the animals during a zombie apocalypse, wonder no more. From a failed NASA experiment on the old Skylab, to a boy and his horse, as and a pet goat that won’t die, there’s something here for everyone. The first story in the anthology and one of my favorites is “Monkey House” by Tim Curran. The Necros-3 virus has killed off and then reanimated two-thirds of the world’s population, but through the efforts of the military and scientists creating an anti-viral for the survivors, people are starting to come out of hiding and are talking about rebuilding. Emma and Gus have managed to survive in their fortified home and Emma is ready to move on to Ft. Kendrix even if it means leaving Gus behind. What they discover, to their horror is the virus has apparently jumped species and everyone forgot about the Primate Research Center. This is a great story, and the end is priceless. Another favorite of mine is “One Man and His Dog” by Wayne Goodchild. While doing a job at the Kelson house, exterminator Burt finds a large pale cockroach that he thinks is too beautiful to kill. He spares it and finds that the three-inch bug is smart and eats other bugs—providing Burt with a chemical free way to run his exterminating business. Connor, Burt’s only employee isn’t so sure. The two men soon discover that this is no ordinary roach, and eradicating other bugs is not what it has in mind. This story really freaked me out along with “The Roo” by Anthony Wedd, about a couple of travelers in the Outback whose car accident exposes them to something horrifying; and “SWAT” by Brian Pinkerton about a SWAT team sent into Clarkson in the swamps of Louisiana to control a zombie outbreak that they soon find is being spread by mosquitoes. All three of these stories gave me the creepy-crawlies and they’ll do the same for you. One other story I liked but found very disturbing is “Dead Dog Tired” by Anthony Giangregorio. In this story we learn that Rufus’ wife divorced him because he abused her but he fought her in court for custody of her beloved pit bull and won. To punish his ex-wife for leaving him, Rufus allows the dog to starve to death over a period of four days and even enjoys it. Now I despise anyone who abuses a dog and reading this story really bothered me…even after the dog becomes reanimated. Anthony Giangregorio gets total props for making me uncomfortable while reading his story. I didn’t care for “Why the Wild Things Are” by Carl Barker, only because I didn’t think it flowed as well as the other stories. A story about local wildlife turning into zombies and the government’s response, I found myself losing interest while reading about how it happened via a newspaper article along with the main character (he’d read it repeatedly). I also wasn’t crazy about “The Yule Cat” by Ted Wenskus, about a story told about a cat that eats little children in Iceland who don’t wear the knitted garments given them at Christmas. I was a bit confused when Jon, the protagonist, finally finds a whole family of these cats living in a volcano. I think a single cat would have fit the story better. With these two exceptions I loved this very unique anthology and highly recommend it. It will make you think as well as make you squirm. Contains moderate use of language and lots of gore. Review by Colleen Wanglund(less)
Better off Alone is definitely a horror bite, clocking in at about 40 pages. It is set in a post-zombie uprising world, where the main character, Nell...moreBetter off Alone is definitely a horror bite, clocking in at about 40 pages. It is set in a post-zombie uprising world, where the main character, Nell, escapes her basement stronghold after an attack, and stumbles into a band of survivors with a dark secret. She wants to rescue Todd, the man who kept her hopes up over the last month through email, but first she has to survive her rescuers.
Better off Alone is ultimately incomplete. There are many potentially interesting things mentioned, but then abandoned, and even the description and storytelling itself feels unfinished. Sfetsos flirts with a good story here, but doesn't quite deliver. As for its place in collections, those libraries with booming digital collections and lendings might find this tale popular, especially if zombie stories are in high demand, but if not, then it's best to wait for Sfetsos's next published work.
The zombie apocalypse is a few years old, and pockets of humanity are trying to survive. There are the Survivors who barricade themselves inside forti...moreThe zombie apocalypse is a few years old, and pockets of humanity are trying to survive. There are the Survivors who barricade themselves inside fortified structures with guns and supplies; the Marauders, a biker gang who move from camp to camp scavenging and stealing whatever they can; and the Watchers, men who also scavenge and steal, as well as kidnap and rape, though they believe they’re doing what’s necessary for the survival of the human race. Then there are the individuals like Alex. He is alone in this world. His uncle, his only surviving relative, was murdered in front of him by Graves, the leader of the Marauders. Alex's goal is to survive long enough to get his revenge and kill the man who killed his uncle. Along the way he meets up with Joelle and Sarah, also Marauders, but taken captive by the Watchers. He decides to help them escape in the hopes that they’ll lead him right to the Marauders and Graves. Can they overcome hungry zombie hordes and dangerous people to finally reach the gang? I love post-apocalyptic stories, especially the ones with zombies. This one was pretty good. I usually like an explanation as to how the world ended and there isn’t one here….but I really did like that Zombie World focused more on the people trying to stay alive after the end of the world. I liked the characters as well, especially Alex and Joelle. I also enjoyed the social commentary….zombies may have overrun the planet, but there will always be bad people out for themselves to take advantage of a world gone to hell. The apocalypse doesn’t seem to have an effect on human nature in that regard. The bikers and the Watchers want food, guns, women, and power and now they just take what they want without any authority to stop them. They ARE the authority, it seems. The Survivors just want to be left in peace, but that won’t happen. The biggest issue I had with Zombie World was that the end moved a little too fast. Joelle’s “confession” seemed to come out of nowhere. I was expecting a more dramatic showdown between Alex and Graves. It was too neat for me. I think with a story like this, a few loose ends are a good thing, especially when it’s an ongoing scenario, because that leaves something to the reader's imagination…in this case the fight for human survival in a post-apocalyptic world. Overall, I highly recommend Zombie World: Books 1 and 2 to any fan of horror. Contains violence, gore, and some mild sexual content. Review by Colleen Wanglund(less)
In Tooth and Nail, a widespread plague immobilizes the United States and the military units abroad are recalled to help maintain order. What starts o...more In Tooth and Nail, a widespread plague immobilizes the United States and the military units abroad are recalled to help maintain order. What starts out as a humanitarian mission for Lieutenant Todd Bowman and his unit, though, turns into a fight for survival when they are trapped in New York City while a second plague sweeps through, turning its victims into mindless violent animals, or "mad dogs". The victims of the “mad dog” plague will seem familiar to those who have watched the movie 28 Days Later. While not technically zombies, they serve that role for practical purposes. While the book fits into the well-worn genre of zombie fiction, with plenty of action and gore, Tooth and Nail seems to defy traditional storytelling. While there are few characters that I would consider memorable or well developed, Dilouie's thoughtful and unusual approach to the material had me turning pages. He examines what happens to the military as there is a breakdown in civilization, as Bowman and his unit tackle an impossible situation. For those fans of zombie fiction will find Tooth and Mail to be a satisfying read with plenty of action. Recommended. This would be a recommended read for those who enjoyed Day by Day Armageddon by J.L. Bourne. Contains: suicide, violence, gore, murder(less)
Valley of the Dead is classic Paffenroth, a moody, dark, delicate blend of religion and zombies. In this "True Story" version of Dante's Inferno, it's...moreValley of the Dead is classic Paffenroth, a moody, dark, delicate blend of religion and zombies. In this "True Story" version of Dante's Inferno, it's easy to see why Paffenroth is drawn to horror and religion simultaneously. Valley of the Dead is a deceptively straightforward tale. Dante, author and narrator of the classic fourteenth century epic poem The Inferno, finds himself wandering in a strange valley filled with people besieged by a plague of the undead, who live their lives with a fierce, often sinful, form of passion. Paffenroth really captures the original feel of horror, beauty and devotion from Dante's Divine Comedy with sweeping strokes that simply should not be missed by true horror fans. The zombies themselves are also metaphors, filled with "rage at [the living:], with seething jealousy that they were alive, and overwhelming frustration that [the zombie:] could not make them dead." Oversensitive, depressed and caught up in hell on earth, Dante sees the worst humanity has to offer, where undeath just seems like a blessed end to a pitiful life. Highly recommended, no, essential for public collections as an example of the depth and soul horror tales can possess. Contains: Violence, language, gore(less)
The Zombie Cookbook is an enjoyable collection of short stories by a variety of authors. Some of my personal favorites include "A Zombie's APB", by Ci...moreThe Zombie Cookbook is an enjoyable collection of short stories by a variety of authors. Some of my personal favorites include "A Zombie's APB", by Cinsearae Santiago, the story of a disgruntled zombie; "Secret Ingredient", by Lisa Haselton, in which a husband hires on a zombie to help his wife run her restaurant; and "My Big Fat Zombie Wedding", by Karina Fabian, which tells a story of a girl falling in love with a zombie and trying to gain her family's acceptance of the situation. In addition to the short stories, several pieces of zombie artwork are included, and recipes are sprinkled within for the daring reader to use their brains to make, literally. The Zombie Cookbook is a must-have for zombie enthusiasts, and also a welcome addition to the collections of all horror fans. I would recommend it for all library collections.
Contents: Forward by members of the metal band, The Zombie Cookbook. Wokking Dead By Karina L. Fabian Secret Ingredient by Lisa Haselton A Zombie Named Clete By Lisa Haselton Beer-Battered Zombie with Butternut Squash By Becca Butcher The Right Recipe By Lin Neiswender Quick & Easy Zombie Pastie by Kate Sender Express Cuisine by Dawn Marshallsay Brain Food By Carla Girtman Brain Salad for Dummies by Scott Virtes A Zombie’s APB By Cinsearae Santiago My Big Fat Zombie Wedding by Karina Fabian
The blurb on the back of The Changed will have you believe that it's about zombies, but not a zombie apocalypse book. Don't be fooled- hese zombies r...more The blurb on the back of The Changed will have you believe that it's about zombies, but not a zombie apocalypse book. Don't be fooled- hese zombies rot, gnaw human prey and will devastate the world we know... they just might not kill us. The Changed follows a handful of characters, some alive, some dead, who have "changed" into something else. Retaining their personalities and skills (and with the help of embalmers, retaining their bits as well), the Changed quickly become the world's largest minority, facing prejudice and oppression, plus flamethrowers. With open hunting season declared by the military (shown more as bullies than any kind of defense against the invasion) these undead can't be sure who are their friends, and who are their foes. Then Chris changes. A middle-of-the-road, plain-looking man, he finally finds a political cause that inspires him. Chris quickly organizes a new political party, The Changed, fronted by a shock jock DJ recently fired for having the gall to die. The whole landscape of America changes as The Changed party not only grows in number and drive, but becomes the only surety the living have to look forward to- how do you fight death itself? The Changed still manages to give zombie fans plenty of their favorite elements. There is a sort-of apocalypse, and plenty of violence and gore, and there are tongue-in-cheek asides hinting at what pop culture would be like if the undead walked. The Changed is an excellent addition to the zombie genre, something new and fun in a tiring routine. Recommended for public and private collections- it's an excellent read through and through.
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