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Queens of the Apocalypse
Take three fierce drag queens, plus their undead drag sister, a massive solar flare, and a few billion hungry zombies, toss in the remnants of the U.S. Army and a hysterically funny/frequently poignant cross-country trip, add a spicy dash of sizzling romance and a helping of mystery and suspense, and what you wind up with is the deliciously campy Queens of the Apocalypse.
220 pages, Paperback
First published January 29, 2014
About the author
Rob Rosen
205 books166 followersMulti-award-winning and best-selling author/editor/anthologist Rob Rosen is the author of Sparkle: The Queerest Book You'll Ever Love, Divas Las Vegas, Hot Lava, Southern Fried, Queerwolf, Vamp, Queens of the Apocalypse, Creature Comfort, Fate, Midlife Crisis, Fierce, And God Belched, Mary, Queen of Scotch, Ted of the d'Urbervilles, Sort of Dead, Genie in a Vodka Bottle, Bobby Ray Breaks the Universe, and D.B. and Me. His short stories have appeared in more than 200 anthologies. You can read some of his best ones in Short Spurts, Short Spurts 2, and Short Spurts 3. He is also the editor of Lust in Time: Erotic Romance Through the Ages, Men of the Manor, Best Gay Erotica 2015 and Best Gay Erotica of the Year, Volumes 1, 2, 3 and 4.
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August 12, 2016OMG I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS EXISTS!!! AND YES I AM YELLING! BECAUSE OMG THIS IS A BOOK!!!!!!!!
June 5, 2018
4 Stars
OMG I think I laughed every other page with this story. Yes, most of it was petty sniping and hardcore shade throwing, but it was funny. I LOVED Kit, and she completely stole the show.
Don't read this if you can't suspend disbelief because there are some seriously side-eye worthy "scientific" explanations and I am still confused as to their escape route choice...not to mention the inconsistencies with who lived (and why) and all the other illogical decisions. But whatever, it was fun - and if these girls hadn't been so fiercely fabulous it would have been a lot harder to just let go and enjoy the ride.
And if you look a little more deeply you'll see the message of need, acceptance and unconditional love, too. Plus the divisive fear of "the other." I find it both poignant and fitting that they're headed for New York and specifically Something too many people today need to remember!
Finally, I'm totally gonna put the futuristic follow-up with Creature Comfort on my TBR.
OMG I think I laughed every other page with this story. Yes, most of it was petty sniping and hardcore shade throwing, but it was funny. I LOVED Kit, and she completely stole the show.
Don't read this if you can't suspend disbelief because there are some seriously side-eye worthy "scientific" explanations and I am still confused as to their escape route choice...not to mention the inconsistencies with who lived (and why) and all the other illogical decisions. But whatever, it was fun - and if these girls hadn't been so fiercely fabulous it would have been a lot harder to just let go and enjoy the ride.
And if you look a little more deeply you'll see the message of need, acceptance and unconditional love, too. Plus the divisive fear of "the other." I find it both poignant and fitting that they're headed for New York and specifically Something too many people today need to remember!
Finally, I'm totally gonna put the futuristic follow-up with Creature Comfort on my TBR.
September 2, 2016
4.5 Stars ~ This book was exactly what I needed. Being familiar with Rob Rosen meant I knew how funny he is and with the title 'Queens of the Apocalypse', starring two of my favorite things, drag queens and zombies, I was 100% positive I'd be laughing and loving this book. There is absolutely nothing better than being right. Since it happens so often I'm pretty used to that natural high. *smirk*
I can't think of anything more fabulous than a zombie apocalypse. Okay. Okay. I know. I'm weird. When it happens to Destiny, Blondella, and Kit, three drag queens who are in their former-meat-locker-now-converted-to-a-dressing-room getting prepared to go on stage that evening, they are less than thrilled. They actually don’t know it’s going to be a zombie apocalypse, not in the beginning, anyway. They just heard a big old BOOM, think it was an earthquake, and then see all the people who died where they fell. They meet Max who was saved, apparently, because he was in his bank's safe deposit vault. Max is the one who clues them in to the people, now zombies, beginning to stir and move around. Uh-oh.
I could tell you what the group hypothesizes was the boom and the zombies. And how they figure out what would kill them. It was actually pretty creative on the author's part. But, no, I'm not telling. You've got to read the book. As these three plus Max are leaving San Francisco heading to New York, since Blondella has a lover there and he might've survived, they recognize one of the zombies as a fellow drag queen. Kit, it appears, is smarter than she looks, and comes up with a plan to de-zombie Creature. And, yes, that's her name, Creature Comfort. She's no longer a zombie, but her body is still in rigor, so the best they can do is put her on a skateboard and tie her to one of the motorcycles. By the way, it really is as funny as it sounds.
In an unusual twist of fate and fabulousness, they end up in Cher's bus which used to be Nixon's campaign bus - it's made of steel and bulletproof. Unfortunately, they've spotted the military and since they're not so sure that those are the good guys, they'll need to do some reconnoitering. (By the way, at this point I've almost peed my pants laughing!). Reconnoitering leads to rescuing prisoners, non-zombies, held by the military. What. The. Hell? That's what I was asking.
Besides the fact that this book was insanely funny, it was also dramatic, and action-packed with an exciting and intriguing plot. It was impossible to guess all the myriad places, both literally and not, that these queens took me. I adored each of them and their guy-groupies and was thrilled that all three of these ladies got a romance and a happy ever after. 'Queens of the Apocalypse' is campy humor mixed with action adventure and I loved it! Thank you, Rob, for another gem!
NOTE: This book was provided by the publisher for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews
I can't think of anything more fabulous than a zombie apocalypse. Okay. Okay. I know. I'm weird. When it happens to Destiny, Blondella, and Kit, three drag queens who are in their former-meat-locker-now-converted-to-a-dressing-room getting prepared to go on stage that evening, they are less than thrilled. They actually don’t know it’s going to be a zombie apocalypse, not in the beginning, anyway. They just heard a big old BOOM, think it was an earthquake, and then see all the people who died where they fell. They meet Max who was saved, apparently, because he was in his bank's safe deposit vault. Max is the one who clues them in to the people, now zombies, beginning to stir and move around. Uh-oh.
I could tell you what the group hypothesizes was the boom and the zombies. And how they figure out what would kill them. It was actually pretty creative on the author's part. But, no, I'm not telling. You've got to read the book. As these three plus Max are leaving San Francisco heading to New York, since Blondella has a lover there and he might've survived, they recognize one of the zombies as a fellow drag queen. Kit, it appears, is smarter than she looks, and comes up with a plan to de-zombie Creature. And, yes, that's her name, Creature Comfort. She's no longer a zombie, but her body is still in rigor, so the best they can do is put her on a skateboard and tie her to one of the motorcycles. By the way, it really is as funny as it sounds.
In an unusual twist of fate and fabulousness, they end up in Cher's bus which used to be Nixon's campaign bus - it's made of steel and bulletproof. Unfortunately, they've spotted the military and since they're not so sure that those are the good guys, they'll need to do some reconnoitering. (By the way, at this point I've almost peed my pants laughing!). Reconnoitering leads to rescuing prisoners, non-zombies, held by the military. What. The. Hell? That's what I was asking.
Besides the fact that this book was insanely funny, it was also dramatic, and action-packed with an exciting and intriguing plot. It was impossible to guess all the myriad places, both literally and not, that these queens took me. I adored each of them and their guy-groupies and was thrilled that all three of these ladies got a romance and a happy ever after. 'Queens of the Apocalypse' is campy humor mixed with action adventure and I loved it! Thank you, Rob, for another gem!
NOTE: This book was provided by the publisher for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews
July 22, 2016
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I started this book: but the forward by Sister Roma barely hints at the fun to be found inside: after her helpful ‘hints and tips for dealing with Drag Queens”.
Kit, Blondella and Destiny are all performing their pre-show ritual before the walk-in-freezer now dressing room becomes overrun with too many drag queens and not enough mirrors. A giant ‘boom’ sounds – and what they at first believe is an earthquake turns out to be so much more.
A refugee from the devastation outside enters the club, gun drawn, planning to drink and then grab the cash. The boom – was a solar flare, and the irradiated dead are now reanimating as zombies: hungry zombies. What follows as these fearsome friends search for somewhere safe is a zombie apocalypse like no other I have seen. It takes a clever hand to mix the gore and ick of zombies that are hell-bent on their next meal with the outrageous banter of drag queens, a quick cameo by Cher, an army camp, water pistols and Bob Mackie dresses, but Rob Rosen does that and more.
Told in Destiny’s point of view: the story does not miss the opportunity to have poignant scenes directed to loss and questions about the future, In fact, the sheer determination of these three and the constant reliance on their bond, even to include a zombie-fied member of the ‘club’ and giving her a moment with a Bob Mackie dress, wig and spotlight have you flipping between admiration and sheer hilarity. Over the top doesn’t approach the gusto with which the characters approach every situation: fierce is not just a word, it is their motto.
We journey cross country with this motley bunch, as they battle zombies with water pistols, icecubes, salt and sheer determination, picking up new members of the posse as they wind their way from San Francisco through Kansas and on to New York. If you want something that is completely out of the normal zombie story – this is the one to grab: you will adore the heart and humor contained in these pages. I have already recommended this title to several people, and it will continue to stay on my ‘you should read this’ list for a while.
I received an eBook copy from the publisher for purpose of honest review for The Jeep Diva. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Kit, Blondella and Destiny are all performing their pre-show ritual before the walk-in-freezer now dressing room becomes overrun with too many drag queens and not enough mirrors. A giant ‘boom’ sounds – and what they at first believe is an earthquake turns out to be so much more.
A refugee from the devastation outside enters the club, gun drawn, planning to drink and then grab the cash. The boom – was a solar flare, and the irradiated dead are now reanimating as zombies: hungry zombies. What follows as these fearsome friends search for somewhere safe is a zombie apocalypse like no other I have seen. It takes a clever hand to mix the gore and ick of zombies that are hell-bent on their next meal with the outrageous banter of drag queens, a quick cameo by Cher, an army camp, water pistols and Bob Mackie dresses, but Rob Rosen does that and more.
Told in Destiny’s point of view: the story does not miss the opportunity to have poignant scenes directed to loss and questions about the future, In fact, the sheer determination of these three and the constant reliance on their bond, even to include a zombie-fied member of the ‘club’ and giving her a moment with a Bob Mackie dress, wig and spotlight have you flipping between admiration and sheer hilarity. Over the top doesn’t approach the gusto with which the characters approach every situation: fierce is not just a word, it is their motto.
We journey cross country with this motley bunch, as they battle zombies with water pistols, icecubes, salt and sheer determination, picking up new members of the posse as they wind their way from San Francisco through Kansas and on to New York. If you want something that is completely out of the normal zombie story – this is the one to grab: you will adore the heart and humor contained in these pages. I have already recommended this title to several people, and it will continue to stay on my ‘you should read this’ list for a while.
I received an eBook copy from the publisher for purpose of honest review for The Jeep Diva. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
February 15, 2014
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
In my opinion it takes some very good writing to make a zombie apocalypse funny. Let me restate that. Knee-slapping, tear-inducing, sudden outburst kind of laughing—this is what Rob Rosen’s writing is sure to produce in you as you read his latest offering, Queens of the Apocalypse.
Queens of the Apocalypse was one part tongue-in-cheek humor, one part sweet romance, and one part paranormal free for all. The action in the novel is stunningly fast paced, the dialogue clever, and the characters simply hysterical! Through a series of mishaps, this ragtag group of survivors coalesces into a family of sorts. They may snipe at one another and struggle to always agree, but they are loyal to each other, refusing to see a future where any of them do not exist.
Read Sammy's review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
In my opinion it takes some very good writing to make a zombie apocalypse funny. Let me restate that. Knee-slapping, tear-inducing, sudden outburst kind of laughing—this is what Rob Rosen’s writing is sure to produce in you as you read his latest offering, Queens of the Apocalypse.
Queens of the Apocalypse was one part tongue-in-cheek humor, one part sweet romance, and one part paranormal free for all. The action in the novel is stunningly fast paced, the dialogue clever, and the characters simply hysterical! Through a series of mishaps, this ragtag group of survivors coalesces into a family of sorts. They may snipe at one another and struggle to always agree, but they are loyal to each other, refusing to see a future where any of them do not exist.
Read Sammy's review in its entirety here.
March 13, 2014
I love everything that Rob writes...seriously! I eat it up like it's a big bowl of Chunky Monkey. Queens of the Apocalypse....devoured! I think it's because his sense of humor is slightly (okay, a bit more than slightly) warped so the way he see things (writes things) will always have a special little twist. No one could take the end of the world and wrap it up in such a big, shiny sequined bow as well as Rob (don't believe me, read Queerwolf). Kit is brilliant when "medicated" but Creature, I love you best of all!
May 23, 2014
To my fellow readers, well those of you reading this review anyway, I say – congratulations, you have to opportunity to read one of the most inappropriate, goddamned hilarious, bitchy, snarky, sarcastic, innuendo laden books I’ve ever come across.
I hardly know where to begin. To say this book made me laugh just doesn’t even come close to covering it.
To read my full review of Queens of the Apocalypse click the link and head to Love Bytes
http://lovebytesreviews.com/2014/05/2...
I hardly know where to begin. To say this book made me laugh just doesn’t even come close to covering it.
To read my full review of Queens of the Apocalypse click the link and head to Love Bytes
http://lovebytesreviews.com/2014/05/2...
August 6, 2016
I was able to get an advance reader's copy and laughed until I cried. This has to be the very first drag queens vs. zombies novel, and if others eventually follow it, I'll bet they'll pale in comparison. This was a perfect read from beginning to end, fast-paced, and chock-full of romance, suspense, humor, and pathos, with just about the most memorable characters that a lover of books could ask for. LOVED IT!
August 27, 2016
Funniest book I've read in ages. I laughed my ass off. These queens are the fiercest, funniest characters to ever jump off the page. The romances are poignant, the adventures heart-stopping, and the ending superb. Can't recommend it highly enough! Kudos to Rob Rosen for creating yet another hysterically funny masterpiece.
August 14, 2016
Found through this: http://joyfullyjay.com/2014/02/review... and couldn't agree more. This book rocks!!!
Queens of the Apocalypse
Queens of the Apocalypse
March 3, 2014
Fantastic book!
Review at Read the Rainbow Reviews
Review at Read the Rainbow Reviews
July 9, 2020
Campy, science fantasy, post apocalyptic zombie, gay romance. This one has it all. Destiny, Kit, and Blondella are getting ready for a show when the world ends with a bang. Tonight's Drag show, however, has been canceled. Enter Max, who's looking for a drink and an escape from the walking dead. Thus begins the road trip to NY to find Blondella's boyfriend and a safe harbour. We meet, more zombies, a military caravan, Cher, zombies, Drag fans from San Diego, zombies. The adventure runs right up until the last page and is quite dark in places despite the constant shade our heroines throw. So much fun, definitely a must read if you like, zombies, drag queens, snark. Loved this.
January 16, 2026
I laughed through out this book, what a hoot! The cover shows our trio exactly as the book describes, Bondella, Kit, and Destiny. Three drag queens survived the solar flare that ripped the world of life are determined to cross the country from San Francisco to New York. And nothing is going to stop them. No zombie hoards, and no military forces. Armed with nothing but snicker bars, nail polish and Super Soaker guns their adventures of survival are over the top mind blowing. I loved their sister drag queens zombie, Creature. Can’t wait to read her sequel.
July 10, 2023
Have you ever Drag Race and thought, 'Wow, someone should really spin this Rusical into a full novel!' Not me. And honestly, if you said that to me, I'd laugh at you. But, hoo boy… I needed the book.
This was so much fun! Did it make any sense? No, of course not. And if you expect it to, you're missing the point.
This was so much fun! Did it make any sense? No, of course not. And if you expect it to, you're missing the point.
June 3, 2016
What do you get when you combine The Walking Dead with RuPaul's Drag Race? This awesome book. I had no idea what to expect when I started this story but you tell me it's filled with zombies and drag queens and I'm there. The general plot is an event happens that kills most of the US population and turns them into zombies. Three drag queens escape that fate by sheer luck. They head off across the US and pick up some stragglers along the way.
There's adventure and romance and fighting zombies and Cher. Really what's not to love about all that? I laughed out loud more than once. Despite the sheer audacity of the general plot it also had some sweet and touching moments and had some messages about the strength of people's will to survive as well as their desire to protect those they love. It also had a really good forward by a real drag queen that discussed the importance of drag queens on the gay community. It was really a touching and enlightening section of the book.
If you're looking for something different and something funny this is definitely the book to try. Hats off to this author for coming up with such a creative story. Really liked it.
There's adventure and romance and fighting zombies and Cher. Really what's not to love about all that? I laughed out loud more than once. Despite the sheer audacity of the general plot it also had some sweet and touching moments and had some messages about the strength of people's will to survive as well as their desire to protect those they love. It also had a really good forward by a real drag queen that discussed the importance of drag queens on the gay community. It was really a touching and enlightening section of the book.
If you're looking for something different and something funny this is definitely the book to try. Hats off to this author for coming up with such a creative story. Really liked it.
April 23, 2014
�Rating: 5 stars out of 5
From my review: "Queens of the Apocalypse is one novel that has it all. It has humor, suspense, horror, romance, and an absolutely outstanding ending. Its as if Rosen went through the literary pantry pulling everything off the shelves and tossing them into his author mixing bowl. And what he came up with is a smashing fictional dish that satisfies everyones palate. A goodly dose of guffaws is balanced with a bouquet of tears, a pinch of spice and snark to go with the softness and surprise of love found amongst the ruins of society. Really I can't wait to go back and read it all over again."
For my full review, visit http://wp.me/p220KL-2he
For all my reviews, visit http://ScatteredThoughtsandRogueWords...
From my review: "Queens of the Apocalypse is one novel that has it all. It has humor, suspense, horror, romance, and an absolutely outstanding ending. Its as if Rosen went through the literary pantry pulling everything off the shelves and tossing them into his author mixing bowl. And what he came up with is a smashing fictional dish that satisfies everyones palate. A goodly dose of guffaws is balanced with a bouquet of tears, a pinch of spice and snark to go with the softness and surprise of love found amongst the ruins of society. Really I can't wait to go back and read it all over again."
For my full review, visit http://wp.me/p220KL-2he
For all my reviews, visit http://ScatteredThoughtsandRogueWords...
February 2, 2017
I really liked this!
I loved the snarky banter between the queens, they never let up even in the worst of times!
Not normally being a zombie fan, I actually quite liked the zombie story, how it happened, what the Army was up to.
I enjoyed how Kit, the girl who was treated as the real dimbo, came up with a lot of the solutions to the problems that were faced.
Liked the humour, quite the strange road trip story and a HFN, especially Blondella. Bet they were praying for rain!
I loved the snarky banter between the queens, they never let up even in the worst of times!
Not normally being a zombie fan, I actually quite liked the zombie story, how it happened, what the Army was up to.
I enjoyed how Kit, the girl who was treated as the real dimbo, came up with a lot of the solutions to the problems that were faced.
Liked the humour, quite the strange road trip story and a HFN, especially Blondella. Bet they were praying for rain!
September 6, 2014
Silly little bit of fluff!
October 28, 2016
made it to 38% and had to give it up. not particularly funny, overly political and military hating. not my cup of tea!
April 11, 2017
Proving that the end of the world need not necessarily be drab - it can, in fact, can be rather fab! - Queens of the Apocalypse is a funny, fantastic journey that is as stylish as it is satisfying. Rob Rosen takes drag queens, zombies, gay romance, and a military conspiracy, dresses them all up in a post-apocalyptic road-trip, and proudly struts out a story that gives new meaning to the term 'fierce.'
The drag queen element, not surprisingly, is the highlight here. Destiny, Blondella, Kit, and Creature are four of the most fantastic queens to ever strap on a pair of impossible heels, designer gowns, heavy makeup, and enough hairspray to bring about the apocalypse with flair - if solar flares and zombies did not beat them to it. The world may have come to an end, with man-eating zombies around every corner, but that does not stop these queens from reading one another with every breath. In fact, not even death can stop them, as evidenced by Creature - the fiercest, most fabulous, shambling, monosyllabic zombie you have ever met.
Accompanying them on their journey are two handsome gay men - brave, smart, and as fiercely loyal as the queens are loyally fierce. They bring an element of romance to the story, adding some love to the laughs, and heart to the humanity. That is not to say the whole story is just a romantic farce, not by any means. There is some real horror here, genuine sorrow, and incredible action, all of which balance out the lighter aspects. As for the zombies, they are vintage throwbacks to the era of George A. Romero, slow-moving, insatiably hungry, and completely unstoppable. They do prove to have an Achilles heel, however, allowing Creature to become one of the most unique heroes in post-apocalyptic fiction, I will refrain from saying more, as that weakness plays into the story's climax, but it is rather clever.
While Queens of the Apocalypse is an entirely satisfying self-contained story, I am delighted to say there is a sequel available, so watch for my review of Creature Comfort coming soon!
As reviewed by Sally at Bending the Bookshelf
The drag queen element, not surprisingly, is the highlight here. Destiny, Blondella, Kit, and Creature are four of the most fantastic queens to ever strap on a pair of impossible heels, designer gowns, heavy makeup, and enough hairspray to bring about the apocalypse with flair - if solar flares and zombies did not beat them to it. The world may have come to an end, with man-eating zombies around every corner, but that does not stop these queens from reading one another with every breath. In fact, not even death can stop them, as evidenced by Creature - the fiercest, most fabulous, shambling, monosyllabic zombie you have ever met.
Accompanying them on their journey are two handsome gay men - brave, smart, and as fiercely loyal as the queens are loyally fierce. They bring an element of romance to the story, adding some love to the laughs, and heart to the humanity. That is not to say the whole story is just a romantic farce, not by any means. There is some real horror here, genuine sorrow, and incredible action, all of which balance out the lighter aspects. As for the zombies, they are vintage throwbacks to the era of George A. Romero, slow-moving, insatiably hungry, and completely unstoppable. They do prove to have an Achilles heel, however, allowing Creature to become one of the most unique heroes in post-apocalyptic fiction, I will refrain from saying more, as that weakness plays into the story's climax, but it is rather clever.
While Queens of the Apocalypse is an entirely satisfying self-contained story, I am delighted to say there is a sequel available, so watch for my review of Creature Comfort coming soon!
As reviewed by Sally at Bending the Bookshelf
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews