I, Zombie
Author(s): Al Ewing
Type of Book: Novel
Publisher: Abaddon
Publication Date: July 2008
Name of Reviewer: Sean T Page, Ministry of Zombies
Review: They say, never judge a book by its cover – which I've never really understood as we all know that sparkly covers are important. But, looking at I, Zombie – you will be confused and confounded. If you don't get out much, it may rock your world. What the hell is this book about? Well, I hope this review will help without any spoilers.
Firstly, one thing this book is not is a typical zombie tale. Bearing in mind it came from Zombie Ed, I was expecting it to be pure zombies but no, no, no. Other monsters crop up in here. You have werewolves for one. This is not for the zombie purists but it is a survival tale of sorts…. Secondly, there was more than a touch of Guy Richie about the whole thing. The opening half of the book is peppered with London references, so we're clear right. It's in London right. I'm not saying that's a bad thing & it is nice to have another story set in the UK.
‘I, Zombie' starts as a seemingly predictable ‘I'm a dead private investigator tale'. He's looking into a routine kidnapping, using some special skills he has being undead etc. Things go crazy from there. The opening chapter is actually a kind of flash back which I found a bit tiresome but you will see where it fits in later on so stay tuned. I won't ruin the second half of the book but things really go, well, more mental further on this story. This book does not let you sit in bed, quietly reading one chapter after another, confident that you know what's going on. Just as you think you got it mapped out, the book jumps out of your hands and gives the literary equivalent of a punch in the face (in a nice way.)
So, the story is far from a classic zombie tale. It surprises you at every turn, rather like M&S Christmas crackers. Trouble is sometimes its good, sometimes it's just mental, like the flick comb I got from my cracker at Christmas. One thing this work is original although many of the ideas, such as the slow-motion bullet scenes have already been Matrixed. It's crazy madness from Mr Ewing. The zombie purist in me wants to start building a pyre on which to burn this heresy but then it's a cracking good story and will appeal to folks more broad-minded than me.
Zombie Fear Factor: 3 Brains out of 5
Not likely to give you nightmares – that doesn't stop it being a good read and a fast-paced story. Saying that, Ewing's werewolf was scary, also, the idea of a thinking zombie itself is pretty disturbing. I also added a star for making use of a walking severed hand – always a scary thing so I Zombie scores a reasonable 3 out of 5 stars on the Zombie Fear Factor.
Zombie Behaviour: 1 Brain out of 5
No, no, no. In this twisted work, zombies talk, run, do things, Ewing is a heretic. One star for being so far from orthodoxy & for many of us, reality.
Zombie Threat: 3 Brains out of 5
Well, bearing in mind the main character is a zombie – that's pretty damn threatening but where are the teeming millions, where are the hordes of the walking dead? At least he chucks in a few other threats. The volume of zombies is not there so a 3 out of 5 stars on Zombie Threat.
Gore Content: 4 Brains out of 5
Gore Content: 1 to 5 stars
There is gore in the story particularly the second half. Characters get mutilated and Ewing aint afraid to take em down. Some good descriptions in there so, I, Zombies scores a very acceptable 4 out of 5 stars on Gore Content.
Overall Quality: 4 Brains out of 5
In terms of overall quality, I think this will appeal to zombie fans who are comfortable with an author who likes to mix things up. If you get offended (as I know many of you do) by talking or thinking zombies then this aint your thing. But, I want to emphasis, this is a well-written and produced book – there are plenty of ideas in there and a crazy plot. So, this book hovers between mad monster mash up and genre changing zombie fare for a new generation – you decide which. I give it a very respectable 4 out of 5 stars.
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