Nostalgia & Zombies

I’ve decided to start my blog with books that follow a theme, and since October (or as I call it, the month of Halloween) is pretty much my favorite, I went with the old tried-and-true theme of zombies. I’ve read a lot of zombie books – some were good, some were okay, a lot were stinkers - but then I found Max Brallier’s “Can YOU Survive the Zombie Apocalypse?”  This is schlock that is so bad it’s good, and I just had to share it with you. Despite how it sounds, this is not a pseudo-survival guide to prepare you for either a literal or symbolic zombie uprising – this is a choose-your-own adventure book for adults. And it’s cheesy and snarky and just so much fun!

The story opens on the main character, a mid-twenties man stuck in another soul-crushing morning meeting in his Manhattan office, cursing his hangover and the prospect of another muggy summer day in New York. Suddenly, an assistant rushes in with news of riots in the streets – and you watch in horror as the riot is revealed to be the shambling undead. To quote the book, “You have choices to make now – lots of them. Moral dilemmas. Strategic decisions. Weapons, Vehicles. Will you be a hero? Or will you cover your own ass at all costs? Will you survive the coming hours, days, weeks, and months? Or will you die amidst the chaos and violence of a zombie uprising? Or, worst of all, will you become one of them…?”

Published by Gallery Books, “Can YOU Survive the Zombie Apocalypse?” is 100% aimed at adults. The violence described is graphic, the deaths are disturbingly detailed, and F-bombs are tossed around like glitter. But the snarky commentary makes you laugh, the characters – ranging from condescending comic geeks to unhinged gun-wielding extremists to ninja strippers - have you cheering and cursing in turns, and the black and white artwork helps the creep factor. There are 100 paths for you to take, with 50 different endings, so you can re-read it multiple times without getting bored.

It’s a fun read geared towards zombie fanatics and general readers alike, and makes a great addition to your library or a gift for that hard to shop for friend. So pick it up and give it a chance! “The choice is yours. And hey, if you don’t make it – you’ve got no one to blame but yourself.”


Can YOU Survive the Zombie Apocalypse?
Max Brallier
Gallery Books