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Minecraft: Zombies #2
Minecraft: Zombies Return!: An Official Minecraft Novel
Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the Overworld, the zombies have returned!
Bobbie is on a mission. She’s already survived one encounter with Logan, the zombie-herding jerk who attacked her village and turned her brother into a zombie. And now she won’t rest until she stops his evil plan to conquer the Overworld with his zombie horde. But the closer she gets to foiling Logan, the further away she gets from her original finding a cure for her zombie brother.
Ben is on . . . babysitting duty. Separated from Bobbie, Ben is now in charge of caring for her zombie-fied little brother, Johnny, and keeping up with his Zombie Obedience Lessons. Lessons that are going well! Johnny doesn’t even need his leash anymore, and he hardly tries to eat people at all—unless they really, really deserve it. Logan’s abandoned lair is even starting to feel a little like home.
But while doing a little spring cleaning, Ben discovers Logan’s secret diary, filled with all his biggest plots, including his next a legendary hero named Pigstep Peggy. Now, it’s a race against time. Can Ben track down Bobbie and stop Logan before his zombies feast again? Can they win Peggy over to their cause? Will Johnny ever stop hungering for brains?
Find out all this and more . . . as soon as you stop reading this summary and start reading Zombies Return!
Bobbie is on a mission. She’s already survived one encounter with Logan, the zombie-herding jerk who attacked her village and turned her brother into a zombie. And now she won’t rest until she stops his evil plan to conquer the Overworld with his zombie horde. But the closer she gets to foiling Logan, the further away she gets from her original finding a cure for her zombie brother.
Ben is on . . . babysitting duty. Separated from Bobbie, Ben is now in charge of caring for her zombie-fied little brother, Johnny, and keeping up with his Zombie Obedience Lessons. Lessons that are going well! Johnny doesn’t even need his leash anymore, and he hardly tries to eat people at all—unless they really, really deserve it. Logan’s abandoned lair is even starting to feel a little like home.
But while doing a little spring cleaning, Ben discovers Logan’s secret diary, filled with all his biggest plots, including his next a legendary hero named Pigstep Peggy. Now, it’s a race against time. Can Ben track down Bobbie and stop Logan before his zombies feast again? Can they win Peggy over to their cause? Will Johnny ever stop hungering for brains?
Find out all this and more . . . as soon as you stop reading this summary and start reading Zombies Return!
- GenresAudiobook
224 pages, Hardcover
Published July 18, 2023
17 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
About the author
Nick Eliopulos
119 books69 followersNick Eliopulos was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, where he grew up on a steady diet of super-hero comics and “non-fiction” books about alien abductions, psychic phenomena, and Sasquatch. He was fortunate to have parents and teachers who encouraged his off-beat reading habits, which ultimately led him to pursue a degree in cultural studies at the University of Florida.
Shortly after graduating, Nick moved to New York to work in publishing. In the course of his thirteen-year career as a children’s book editor, he had the opportunity to write for a number of licensed properties, from Thomas the Tank Engine to DC Super Friends and Scholastic’s New York Times bestselling multiplatform series Spirit Animals. His original comics work has appeared in anthologies Stuck in the Middle and First Kiss (Then Tell).
Nick’s debut novel, The Adventurers Guild, will be published by Hyperion in October 2017. Co-authored with his best friend Zack Loran Clark, the book is heavily inspired by the duo’s collaborative storytelling experiences with tabletop role-playing games; they’ve been in the same weekly gaming group for nearly a decade.
Nick lives in Brooklyn with his husband, a fellow editor, author, and Southern transplant. He’s currently employed as a narrative designer for an indie video game studio. He still reads super-hero comics and harbors an ever-dwindling hope that Sasquatch might be out there.
Shortly after graduating, Nick moved to New York to work in publishing. In the course of his thirteen-year career as a children’s book editor, he had the opportunity to write for a number of licensed properties, from Thomas the Tank Engine to DC Super Friends and Scholastic’s New York Times bestselling multiplatform series Spirit Animals. His original comics work has appeared in anthologies Stuck in the Middle and First Kiss (Then Tell).
Nick’s debut novel, The Adventurers Guild, will be published by Hyperion in October 2017. Co-authored with his best friend Zack Loran Clark, the book is heavily inspired by the duo’s collaborative storytelling experiences with tabletop role-playing games; they’ve been in the same weekly gaming group for nearly a decade.
Nick lives in Brooklyn with his husband, a fellow editor, author, and Southern transplant. He’s currently employed as a narrative designer for an indie video game studio. He still reads super-hero comics and harbors an ever-dwindling hope that Sasquatch might be out there.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 15, 2025
We start this book with Bobbie on her own. She sent Ben and Johnny away to keep them safe, while she's focused on finding a way to rescue her zombie neighbours and family once and for all. Ben and Johnny have other ideas, and decide to set back out to find Bobbie yet again, instead of hiding out and waiting. Afterall, they didn't have a say in being shipped off, she's not going to get a say in them being a team again.
*****
This was a great start to the second installment in the series, although I was slightly surprised by how much Bobbie progressed. She's an adventurer raised by villagers, with little to no transferable skills. Ben has been teaching her everything, yet in this novel she's comfortable, competent, capable, and seems to have surpassed his skillset. It was still entertaining, but felt like an unrealistic growth arc so early on.
The story is a bit slower paced until Bobbie, Ben and Johnny reunite. I did love that we got new dynamics in getting to meet the Overworld Overlords and seeing them for who they are, as well as Ben's naivety and Bobbie's suspiciousness still holding the forefront of how they interact and engage with other characters.
My favourite character of this series was probably Pigstep Peggy. She's ridiculous, skilled and quirky, and I truly hope we see her again in book 3 after she left the characters in the state they are in this one. Either way I'm looking forward to reading the final installment of this series and seeing the conclusion to Ben and Bobbie's great adventure.
*****
This was a great start to the second installment in the series, although I was slightly surprised by how much Bobbie progressed. She's an adventurer raised by villagers, with little to no transferable skills. Ben has been teaching her everything, yet in this novel she's comfortable, competent, capable, and seems to have surpassed his skillset. It was still entertaining, but felt like an unrealistic growth arc so early on.
The story is a bit slower paced until Bobbie, Ben and Johnny reunite. I did love that we got new dynamics in getting to meet the Overworld Overlords and seeing them for who they are, as well as Ben's naivety and Bobbie's suspiciousness still holding the forefront of how they interact and engage with other characters.
My favourite character of this series was probably Pigstep Peggy. She's ridiculous, skilled and quirky, and I truly hope we see her again in book 3 after she left the characters in the state they are in this one. Either way I'm looking forward to reading the final installment of this series and seeing the conclusion to Ben and Bobbie's great adventure.
November 5, 2025
Minecraft Zombies Return is the second installment in the zombie series and while it brings back familiar faces and some fun moments, it doesn’t quite live up to the charm and excitement of the first book.
Our main character Bobby has clearly grown since book one, maybe a little too much. She now comes off as overly confident at times, which makes her feel less relatable. The cliffhanger from the first book, which had me genuinely excited, ends up going absolutely nowhere. It feels like a missed opportunity that author Nick Eliopulos could have explored in a much more meaningful way.
The story as a whole just lacks that spark. In the first book, the world felt fresh and full of surprises, but here, not enough new elements are introduced to keep that sense of wonder alive. Things do pick up when Bobby and Ben reunite. Their dynamic is still one of the highlights.
A latecomer to the cast, Pigstep Peggy, is actually a really likable character, but sadly doesn’t get nearly enough attention. A shame, because there’s clear potential there.
Now let’s talk about the audiobook. Why on earth did they change Bobby’s little brother’s sound effects to deep zombie growls? It’s genuinely awful. The original voice effects were perfectly fine and didn’t need tweaking. On the bright side, the use of actual Minecraft music for Pigstep Peggy’s scenes is a fun touch.
All in all, not a bad book. Far from the worst Minecraft novel I’ve read, but definitely not a great one either. Here’s hoping book three brings the series back to life.
Our main character Bobby has clearly grown since book one, maybe a little too much. She now comes off as overly confident at times, which makes her feel less relatable. The cliffhanger from the first book, which had me genuinely excited, ends up going absolutely nowhere. It feels like a missed opportunity that author Nick Eliopulos could have explored in a much more meaningful way.
The story as a whole just lacks that spark. In the first book, the world felt fresh and full of surprises, but here, not enough new elements are introduced to keep that sense of wonder alive. Things do pick up when Bobby and Ben reunite. Their dynamic is still one of the highlights.
A latecomer to the cast, Pigstep Peggy, is actually a really likable character, but sadly doesn’t get nearly enough attention. A shame, because there’s clear potential there.
Now let’s talk about the audiobook. Why on earth did they change Bobby’s little brother’s sound effects to deep zombie growls? It’s genuinely awful. The original voice effects were perfectly fine and didn’t need tweaking. On the bright side, the use of actual Minecraft music for Pigstep Peggy’s scenes is a fun touch.
All in all, not a bad book. Far from the worst Minecraft novel I’ve read, but definitely not a great one either. Here’s hoping book three brings the series back to life.
October 31, 2023
Action packed to the end, this sequel to Minecraft: Zombies! Did not disappoint. My only critique is that Ben's personality changed (for the better) without any circumstance. could just be a build-up, but still a tad strange. Overall, I was interested through the end and did not notice the plot-hole till I thought about it afterward. 😅 A solid 4.5 stars
July 21, 2023
I enjoyed this Minecraft story with all of characters within. The main characters were Bobbie, Ben, Logan and Johnny.
Bobbie is on a mission to save her family that were change into zombie and were taking away by an evil guy. The evil guy plans to conquer the Overworld with all of the zombies that he has around up. But there was on zombie that he didn't get it was her brother ( Johnny) she needs someone that she can trust to take care of him while she on her mission. She decides to get Ben to do this.
This was a fun story to read. It had action, adventure, suspense and drama throughout. It had a few giggles within.
I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. This is my honest unbiased opinions.
Bobbie is on a mission to save her family that were change into zombie and were taking away by an evil guy. The evil guy plans to conquer the Overworld with all of the zombies that he has around up. But there was on zombie that he didn't get it was her brother ( Johnny) she needs someone that she can trust to take care of him while she on her mission. She decides to get Ben to do this.
This was a fun story to read. It had action, adventure, suspense and drama throughout. It had a few giggles within.
I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. This is my honest unbiased opinions.
May 13, 2023
My children love Minecraft so I was really excited to receive an ARC of this book. Thank you Nick Eliopulos, Net Galley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for selecting me.
I figured the best way to review this book was to read it out loud as a family and it definitely got their seal of approval. It was fast-paced, game forward and easy to follow. The plot was exciting and held their attention.
We'll be adding the physical book to our collection when it's released!
I figured the best way to review this book was to read it out loud as a family and it definitely got their seal of approval. It was fast-paced, game forward and easy to follow. The plot was exciting and held their attention.
We'll be adding the physical book to our collection when it's released!
May 11, 2023
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
So many Minecraft details. My students will love this, but since I have never played the game, I had trouble understanding it. More like Dawson's Mob Squad series in that it takes place in the world of the game than other titles in the series that incorporate events from the real world.
So many Minecraft details. My students will love this, but since I have never played the game, I had trouble understanding it. More like Dawson's Mob Squad series in that it takes place in the world of the game than other titles in the series that incorporate events from the real world.
September 25, 2023
Nick Eliopulos's books are a really great way to spark reading in our household. The kids love minecraft and Nick's series like WoodSword Chronicles or Stonesword Chronicles are approachable enough to get the kids interested and deep enough to leave them feeling rewarded. The Zombies Series is a next level up. More grown up, no pictures, and a kind of "otherworldly" vibe on Minecraft. Written as more of a "trapped in the game" where it's hard to tell if it's real life or not for the characters.
The story continues in this series as mostly a set of parallel stories for our main characters. The book feels like it explains the world and scenery enough that even if you don't play Minecraft you'll still understand the story and setting, but knowing Minecraft it feels like you're kind of "in on the joke" or part of the club that knows what's going on.
I enjoyed the book and I thoroughly enjoy it's place as a bridge between reading age groups for my kids.
The story continues in this series as mostly a set of parallel stories for our main characters. The book feels like it explains the world and scenery enough that even if you don't play Minecraft you'll still understand the story and setting, but knowing Minecraft it feels like you're kind of "in on the joke" or part of the club that knows what's going on.
I enjoyed the book and I thoroughly enjoy it's place as a bridge between reading age groups for my kids.
September 5, 2024
My son absolutely loves Minecraft, so this one was one that I read out loud to him at bedtime. We both looked forward to continuing the story each night. There's lots of action, the characters care about one another and have pretty good arcs. Looking forward to seeing what happens in the next one.
December 29, 2023
Favorite book
January 5, 2024
BEST BOOK EVER!!!
April 18, 2025
Read with my kid. Good continuation of the story.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews