Friday, March 18, 2011
Michael Allen
Dead Set: A Zombie Anthology is the first zombie compendium that this reviewer has sunk his teeth into. A diverse collection, this novel hosts over twenty short stories of everything undead. Released March 15, 2010 by 23 House, this is a well edited novel from zombie researchers Joe McKinney and Michelle McCrary. Dead Set: A Zombie Anthology is full of tales involving flood waters carrying zombies to those uninfected, those infected recovering from the zompocalypse and strange men using the re-animated for their very own sick desires. All of the excitement occurs in five sections, titled: Origin, The Plague Begins, In Dubious Battle, Losing Ground - And to the Dust Returneth. This is an in-depth novel of fiction, that is not to be missed.
The novel begins with Lisa Mannetti's "Resurgam," which explores the source of infection. In her story, the zombie apocalypse occurs because of infectious corpses housed in ancient and modern university labs. "Resurgam" is a close look at how an infection could spread through pus, cuts and careless medical students. The spread of disease does not end here, however. In fact, the thrills begin to rise in the co-written "Jailbreak" (Steven W. Booth and Harry Shannon). If shooting your way out of a horde of zombies is your strategy, then you will love this short action thriller, which involves the local Sherriff fighting off both the undead and unscrupulous criminals. This short novel was one of the many highlights for this reader of Dead Set: A Zombie Anthology.
Other stories of note include Stephanie Kincaid's "Judgement," which hosts foreshadowing Tarot readings, before one scientists experiences zombification first hand. "Hatfield the Usurper" from Matthew Louis shows what can go wrong when you give an ex-military man and stunt double too much power and too many guns. Few characters reach safety in this barn burner. Finally, "Zombies on a Plane" by Bev Vincent could have used a few more airborne zombies, while "Pierre & Remy Hatch A Plan" (Michelle McCarary) could have used a little more depth in pages.
There are few foibles in this collection and McKinney and McCrary have done an excellent job of stitching this piece togehter. There was only one grammatical error in the novel, amongst tens of thousands of lines of text and short stories progress fluidly over the span of a fantasy world going awry. Many experts of this genre are here and any weak spots are strengthened by excellent writing and thrilling horror writing. Fans of the zombie genre, in literature, will not be disappointed by this piece, but enthralled by the many creative tales and the various perspectives on the undead. There is certainly a lot of rotting, and ravenous genius for storytelling, in these three hundred pages.
Released for over a year now, this novel has tempered just enough to give readers what they want - stories of darkness, harrowing situations and human beings simply trying to survive. Suitable for ages fourteen and up, Dead Set: A Zombie Anthology will excite you as much as your imagination will allow. Pick this one up through 23 House and be on the look-out for other novels from the authors mentioned here (listed below). The darker parts of yourself will thank you.
Overall: 8 out of 10 (excellent writing, cohesive, exciting and diverse).
Visit editor and author Joe McKinney's website for details on this book and others, including Flesh Eaters, to release April 5th:
Joe McKinney's Official Site
Take a look at author David Dunwoody's site, which covers his upcoming Harvest Cycle:
David Dunwoody's Official Site
A second review of this novel is available at Fatally Yours, by writer Sarah Jahier:
Dead Set: A Zombie Anthology Reviewed at Fatally Yours
Available for under $15 at Amazon:
Advertise Here - Contact me Michael Allen at 28DLA
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Posted in: 2010,apocalyptic,book review,david dunwoody,dead set,dead set: a zombie anthology,joe mckinney,michelle mccrary,necropolis,short story,zombie,zombie anthology novel review
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