30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
HILARIOUS AND WORTH MORE THAN A MERE FIVE STARS. Social Satire at its best., October 10, 2009
This review is from: Zombocalypse Now (Paperback)
Unlike another reviewer here, I must admit that I was predisposed to not like this work. I do not care for zombies, do not like zombie movies and as to the "choose our own adventure" aspect of this work, well I read so many of these things with and to my grandsons while they were growing up that I could almost puke the things. Most of them bored me to tears...but then I am an old man and look at things differently than a preteen and younger. Of course that being said, I have to admit that I am one of those people who has never quite made the transition from childhood, to adulthood into dotage very gracefully.
I also have to admit though that I have not had as much fun reading a book in many, many years as I did this one! I found myself laughing out loud on many occasions and in an almost a perpetual state of snickering throughout this entire read. This is truly good stuff folks...it is an absolute hoot!
Our hero, which is actually you, as you are the one that guides the action through him, is in reality a pink stuffed rabbit with more than his share of human inadequacies; socially just a bit off center, not all that bold, clueless to a great extent and at times incapable of making a rational decision. The story opens with the stuffed rabbit...uh, I mean you, setting at a café waiting for your blind date...a girl you met on via the internet. When she shows up you find she does not smell very good, is possibly drunk and has a very, very odd look about her! The only two words she seems to be able to utter are "Nnnnnnnggggg" and "Brrraaaaaaaains." Your adventure begins...you battle to save yourself and indeed, civilization, from hoards of invading zombies and incidentally, save yourself from becoming one of the living dead yourself.
Now here is where this particular work separates itself from others of this particular genre. Matt Youngmark can actually write! And he can write well! He has also been blessed in a very, very quirky and wide ranging imagination and sense of humor. This combination is a true winner in ever meaning of the word.
Not only do we get an extremely interesting story, but more importantly we get some of the best comic social satire I have read in years; quite cutting at times, but so very, very much on the mark. This guy, Youngmark, is hilarious. He also seems to have the ability to see through brick walls as to the prevailing human condition we find ourselves stuck with.
Is this a horror book? Is this a book of social satire? Is this a work a product of a twisted comic? Is this book a page turner (both literally and figuratively)? Will this one hold your interest? Will this work become a classic in its genre? Well I would have to say yes to all these questions. We have been given quite an impressive bit of imaginative writing here.
Now the question comes to mind as to what age group this book targets! I can certainly not look you in the eye and tell you that this is a work suitable for the preteen crowd as the themes running throughout are quite adult in nature. On the other hand I know of no kid over the age of nine or ten that would not leap at the chance to read this one. Is it targeted for young adults or older adults? Both of these categories of reader will love them. It is just hard to say. I do know that if you mess up and tell you 11 year old he or she is not allowed to read it, that it is a sure bet he or she will lay their hands on a copy of it as quickly as possible. That is the nature of the young.
I will say that the author has taken very adult themes and not become gross or inappropriate with them, yet has left enough edge to keep even old and jaded readers quite interested. While some of the language is somewhat of an adult nature, it is far, far better than what I hear on a daily basis in Elementary and Jr. High Schools. On the other hand, some of the words used by the author are words that my wife will not allow me to utter around our younger grandsons. Personally, I never tell the younger set what to read and what not to read...but that is just me.
As has been pointed out, there are around 112 possible endings (or so the author assures us) and at least seven of them you actually get to live through! I will say that each ending is quirkier than the preceding one and the trip to each outcome is funny and you will learn a lot.
Put this one on the top of your list of books to read just for the sheer joy of having fun with the written word...you will not be sorry.
Don Blankenship
The Ozarks
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very Clever Zombie Themed "Pick-a-Path" Type Adventure - Highly Recommended!, October 7, 2009
This review is from: Zombocalypse Now (Paperback)
"Zombocalypse Now" is a "choose your own adventure" style book that literally had me laughing out loud at the creative and often somewhat absurd imagery that Matt Youngmark skillfully painted in this very entertaining book. I should point out that I was predisposed to like the book because, 1) Zombies are cool! 2) Pick-A-Path... er..."Chooseomatic" ... books were very popular way back when I was in school, and 3) Who wouldn't want to be pink stuffed bunny with dubious morals and weak social skills?
There really isn't any way to ruin the plot of the book since there are 112 (according to the cover) different possible endings, and I experienced 6 of them on my way to hitting on one of the 7 possible (perhaps more, as also hinted on the cover) solutions that don't involve you becoming dead in one of several colorful and creative ways. Of course most of the book involves you dodging various zombies and trying to get yourself out of this mess, all the while dealing with the fact that you are indeed a pink stuffed bunny. I also really liked how you can actually use some of the information you learn on the paths that lead to death on your next trip through the book. The illustrations throughout the book are well done and are often amusing as well.
I would have tried a few more paths, choosing different options to see where that would take me, but my son took the book away because he wanted to give it try. I will likely pick this up several more times to see if the other 6 successful paths are as fun as the one I found.
Highly Recommended!
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
As someone who has worked in the mall at Christmastime, I know about zombies. This book is the stuff!, October 4, 2009
This review is from: Zombocalypse Now (Paperback)
In this crazy, mixed-up world of movies about zombies, classical works re-imagined to include zombies, zombie games, zombie songs, zombie clothing, zombie rosaries, zombie cereal, zombie glassware, you might see this book and ask yourself: what the eff do I need with more zombie stuff?
Well, let ME ask you a question: have you ever felt personally endangered by that zombie cereal? Have you ever beheld it in your bowl and thought "Oh my god, man, I'm gonna die, and I forgot to pay off Columbia House!"
?
Because that's the difference, friend. Watching a zombie movie, you might be scared because you identify with the beleaguered heroes and can imagine yourself in their place, but ultimately, you're just watching it happen to somebody else.
In this book, YOU are the hero. The fate of the world is in your hands. YOUR fate is in your hands. Everyone else who you encounter on your journey is either insane, incompetent or intergalactically stupid--just like real life!
Buy it, read it, and discover the hidden depths you always knew you had: the depths of being a total badass, living and occasionally dying for the greater good. They say you never see the zombie kitten that kills you, but you will see it. Because it is illustrated!
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