Review: Relatable Characters, Grounded Story and Highly Engaging:  Part One of Two
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 02 28, 2014
Don't be put off by the fact that this zombie book ends abruptly for it is merely Volume One of a (so far) a two volume novel.  Having got that out the way, let's have a look at why it deserves 4-stars (Very Good, Satisfactory-Plus).1. Relatable characters - front and center.  Zach is the lead protagonist, a somewhat nerdy orphan much put-upon at high school but who learns to adapt, improvise and overcome once the zombs arrive.  At first he has a chip on his shoulder towards a certain special person who takes advantage of his generous nature but this soon thaws and sets up a heart-warming and affirming relationship: touching and delicately real.  (That's as near as I'm going to go with a spoiler.)  Supporting him are flawed anti-heroes who teach Zach the ropes of survival in a host of very practical ways.  Excellent.2. The zombs are not the problem (being stupid and physically uncoordinated).  It's the feral people.  Achord hits the mark here very well indeed.  The baddies are credible and the way Zach deals to them works.3. There are no rock-jawed god-complex cartoon uber-stars.  So unlike so many pop zomb books (you know who I'm referring to) which aren't complete without relying on these Hollywood Military/Special Forces clowns, Zombie Rules keeps it real.  Refreshing.  Of course other zomb authors have "everyday dudes" as heroes but somehow they often tend to under or over-cook them, Achord creates his own recipe which works...darn well.4. Environmental scene descriptions are somewhat underplayed and perhaps more attention could have been paid to zombie combat action.  Yes, I get the idea that hunkering down and going dark is a great prepper survival strat but I'd like to have seen more of a sense of  "black clouds of foulness" lying like sleeping orcs beyond Zach's rural refuge.  One star off - but that's just me so don't angst over it.5. Dialog is deftly handled.  It's not exhaustively deep and meaningful, but carries and defines the characters well enough.6. You have to buy Volume 2 because Zombie Rules stops in mid-breath.Above all this is a genuinely *entertaining* book which kept drawing me back to imbibe the next chapter. The cliches about page-turning and engagement fully apply.  I recommend this book unreservedly.