Kill Or Be Killed ...Or Be Eaten

DEAD MEAT by Patrick Williams and Chris Williams is not about friendship or working together, but instead focuses on the combination of hate & fear that arises when random strangers form a loose-knit group, and they are unable to agree on much of anything. Conflict dominates their decision-making, rather than the motivation to live. They way they see it, they're all going to die, but it's a battle to see who dies last. Not only does it explore the various shades of gray when it comes to the kill or be killed theme, but it's a gripping account of endurance with incredibly raw characters.

I like the way various groups are labeled; the zombies are called "bees" because of the way they swarm around the survivors. The soldiers are called the "Exterminators" as they quickly become more of a threat than the undead, using live bait to draw in the bees. These labels used by the characters create the illusion of compassion among the group, when in reality, the survivors often give in to their own savage impulses, striking out at their traveling companions at the worst of times, leaving readers to wonder which group is doing the most damage.

This novel is a visceral account of a hopeless attempt to reclaim something worth living for, with the narrator coming to a brutal realization about his first impressions. The ending will gnaw at your insides long after you finish the story.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Savage Suspense

THE SAVAGE DEAD by Joe McKinney is more of a crime thriller than a zombie horror novel. The infected are just a small detail in a story about an assassination plot to take out a Senator who has been fighting against Mexican cartels. One cartel in particular attempts to use a biological weapon on a cruise ship to take out their target.

I really enjoyed all of the characters, as well as the mix of action and moments of introspection. Details about their personal issues adds extra suspense to every scene, wondering how their pasts will affect their decision-making and not knowing what each is willing to do to survive.

I'm satisfied with the ending, if this is a stand-alone, but I wouldn't mind a sequel with Ramon being hunted down.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Ain't Got Time For What You Feel

Raped and left for dead, Linda was exiled from the Barrens. Somehow, she learned to survive in a world filled with the walking, hungry dead.

And now. . .Linda is coming home to settle up with the people of the Barrens.

Bullets will fly and there will be blood.

COLD VENGEANCE by Eric S. Brown is a flash fiction story taking place in a post-apocalyptic setting. The only safe place from the Snarlers is the Barrens, but the people inside aren't safe from the cruelty inflicted by the living. Linda, cast out and left for dead in her youth, discovered the Barrens is not the only holdout.

Told mostly through flashbacks, centering on Linda's survival and determination, she is about to complete her revenge plan, when she finds herself injured yet again...and trying to escape the undead. The story, despite the short length, is filled with suspense and action in equal measures.

I would love to read a full-length novel about Linda and the Barrens.

As always,
AstraDaemon

When A Bad Relationship Eats At You

Outside the world is going to hell. Inside, John Ripely is drunk, heart broken, and ready to film himself with a hooker to teach his girlfriend a lesson. Events quickly fall out of his control.

Tanner by D.S. Black is a zombie flash fiction piece. I knew that going in, but, somehow, Black still surprised me with the turn of events towards the end. I'm wondering if the outbreak had been unfolding around Ripley prior to his hooker hook-up, but he missed the warning signs as he put all his focus into the end of his relationship. The what-ifs surrounding Ripley's night are more entertaining than his revenge plot.

It would have been funny if Tanner had been the new boyfriend...

As always,
AstraDaemon

The Skeleton In The Closet Is A Zombie

A teenage boy deals with his family's decision to keep his undead grandfather captive in the attic.

One For The Road by Chad Lutzke is a short post-apocalypse story about a young man who disagrees with keeping his undead grandfather in the attic. There are new laws in place to prevent another outbreak, so the teen is concerned he and his parents will be locked up for harboring a zombie.

The story is great as-is, but I'd love to know more about events leading up to his grandfather's encounter with a Biter. I think Lutzke could develop this into a novel, if so inclined.

As always,
AstraDaemon

A MUST-READ FOR ZOMBIEPHILES!!

Psychopomp by Erik Lynd is a great addition to the zombie genre. Lynd manages to blend horror and mythology in a chilling tale about a mortician who is confronted by a talking corpse. Del is one hell of a character and I think Lynd could write a mini-series centered on the guy and his occupation.

This short story is one of the best I've read so far in 2018.

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It's been a long time since I read a zombie story with such an original twist, although, some may argue that the mythological element is not a new concept, I still think Lynd should get major props for bringing the two genres together in this story.

Even if zombies aren't your usual cup of tea, horror fans really need to check out Lynd's creation!

As always,
AstraDaemon

Throwback Thursday: Zombies vs. Trekkies

Night of the Living Trekkies by Kevin David Anderson and Sam Stall is one zombie book that I'll never forget. Now, the zombies themselves might not be the kind zombiephiles are used to, and the science fiction might not be realistic enough of the sci-fi fans, but this book is definitely a thrilling adventure that will appeal to all kinds of readers.

The prologue begins with two employees, at an underground military facility in Houston, TX, making plans to go to a Star Trek convention; while they’re talking, the security system fails, opening some doors that should have stayed closed. Meanwhile, at a hotel in the same city, Jim Pike is having a bad day that is about to get apocalyptic. Jim is a soldier with serious PTSD, and he’s convinced himself that working as a bellhop will reduce his stress. However, he has to help prepare for GulfCon, an extremely popular Star Trek convention. Jim’s younger sister, Rayna is also attending with some friends.

Before Rayna’s group arrives in the parking garage, the hotel staff is already having trouble with violent hotel guests, and employees keep going missing. Jim’s instincts are screaming at him that something horrible is happening, but by the time he is able to convince anyone else that the problem is not just in his mind, the hotel is overwhelmed by zombies. Jim, with the help of a Star Wars fan, tries to rescue his sister and her friends, while Trekkies are dying all around them.

Star trek fans should know that this isn’t just a horror story set at a convention, but I can’t elaborate without ruining the storyline. Zombie fans should know that the undead are shamblers, but able to move as a group, with a very unusual source of infection, which is spread in a similar manner to 28 Days Later.

I also recommend viewing the book trailer.

As always,
AstraDaemon