Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Zombie-Nerd and the Half-Term Harrowing - Jack Callaghan

Excellent debut novel. This tale of self discovery will appeal to people of all ages.


This is a superb debut novel from Jack Callaghan. The first in a planned series, this story is written as a YA book and says its target audience is 12-18 year olds, but in my opinion, people of all ages will love this book.


It’s a social commentary wrapped up in a coming of age story about self discovery and understanding of the world around us. Despite being set in a post-apocalyptic environment, the broader message is especially relevant to the way we live our lives now.


The writing is easy to read and funny, the world building is superb and the characters are very relatable.


I am looking forward to the next book.



Book Blurb

The ‘Zombie Apocalypse’ is over and has been for some time. As the country tries to recover from the chaos, Zombies and Survivors live in as close to harmony as they’re able, but old divisions continue to bubble beneath the surface.


Ronnie Thanatos isn’t a very good Zombie. He suffers from the usual trappings that come with being a member of the Undead, but he isn’t tough, he isn’t cool, and he certainly isn’t scary. Zombies are supposed to be scary, aren’t they?


When he learns of the existence of a mysterious man of science, who is believed to have started the Zombie outbreak, Ronnie sets off on a journey towards the country’s former capital, the dreadful and benighted ‘Necropolis’, in search of answers.


Joined by his faithful friends Nate and Bridget, Ronnie travels across the desolate landscape, meeting strange and interesting people, putting his courage to the test, and learning the importance of everyone being ‘Different but all the same’.



Available from Amazon




 

Saturday, November 18, 2023

Nightmares (The Carolina Files, Book 4) - Willa Blackmore

Willa Blackmore - (The Carolina Files, Book 4) Nightmare


Hell has come to town, and it’s not playing nice.


Urban Fantasy meets Horror in this tale of living nightmares. A superb addition to this excellent series. This is the fourth book in the series and each one is better than the last. 


This book sees the introduction of a new character, one which I hope we will see much more of in future books. There is also more of a horror aspect to this book, as Hell pays the town of Henley on Hale a visit and Tula has to make a deal with a demon to save the townsfolk from a grizzly end.


As with book three, there was a twist at the end of this book and now I cannot wait for the next book. I love how these characters are developing, the world building is excellent and the story arc which runs through the series is fantastic. I am hooked!


I devoured this book in one long sitting. Roll on book five!


The reading order for this series so far:


Book 1, Witchwood

Book 2, Undertow

Book 3, Masquerade

Book 4, Nightmares



Available from Amazon