SPOILER ALERT!
40+ Zombie-Licious Books that I’ve Had the Pleasure of Reading
This B&N post got me thinking about all the zombie books that I have read. Some I have reviewed while others I’ve barely gotten through.
Since it is possible to have zombies in a book without basing the whole novel around the undead horde, I am also including that detail along with others, as well as, what I thought of the books on this list. Use the following key to decode the zombie-liciousness in the books:
Zombies barely there. Not a representative of the zombie fiction genre.
Zombies were present but not the focus of the story.
Zombies ruled the book. Read the book only if hordes of undead munching on alive ones don’t bother you.
1. Name of the Book:
The Gunslinger by Stephen King
Part of a Series:
Yes.
Can be Read on its Own:
Yes.
Undead-o-Meter:
The zombies weren’t special in any way. So, I’d give it a pass, if I were looking for something zombie-ish. Check out my review for more details.
2. Name of the Book:
Prince of Thorns
Part of a Series:
Yes.
Can be Read on its Own:
Yes.
Undead-o-Meter:
While the zombies come and go, a distant threat of an Undead King amassing his undead army remains in the background. The identity of the Undead King is revealed in the third — and last book — of the series. My opinion is to give this one a try; even, if the zombies aren’t unique, the protagonist will hold your interest.
3. Name of the Book:
The Girl with All the Gifts by M. R. Carey
Part of a Series:
No, but it comes with a companion book.
Can be Read on its Own:
Yes.
Undead-o-Meter:
This is the book to read, if you like a little science in your zombie fiction. The author uses a fungal agent as the cause of zombieism. The fungus, ophiocordyceps unilateralis, is real. It infects and zombifies certain ants.
It even has favorites among the same types of ants!
Not only did I love the sciency bits, I remember starting that book cold. I hadn’t read any reviews and as a result, the moment when I realized who the little girl could be was delicious! Read this book, if you don’t read any other zombie fiction!
4. Name of the Book:
The Harvesting by Melanie Karsak
Part of a Series:
Yes.
Can be Read on its Own:
Yes.
Undead-o-Meter:
Okay, so I’m rating it green because while it has zombies, they are only present in the first half of the book. Almost like a plot device that was needed to take the main characters to the next important bit of the story. Read my review for more details.
5. Name of the Book:
London: Surviving the evacuation by Frank Tayell
Part of a Series:
Yes.
Can be Read on its Own:
Yes.
Undead-o-Meter:
This is the diary of a zombie apocalypse survivor. I liked it even if the origin was a tad well… unoriginal ! For more details, read my review.
6. Name of the Book:
Sweet Blood of Mine by John Corwin
Part of a Series:
Yes.
Can be Read on its Own:
Yes.
Undead-o-Meter:
Okay, if I remember correctly, this book had zombies at the very end, which is why I gave it a cool rating, instead of cold. The book wasn’t based on zombies either and is a better than average YA book, if you were wondering. My review for more details.
7. Name of the Book:
Evenstar by Darcy Town
Part of a Series:
Yes.
Can be Read on its Own:
No.
Undead-o-Meter:
Oh man, everybody who loves silliness in their lives and books needs to read this book. Other than that, not much to write home about zombie-wise. Check out my review anyway!
8. Name of the Book:
Prophecies Awakening byPeter Koevari
Part of a Series:
Yes.
Can be Read on its Own:
Yes.
Undead-o-Meter:
I don’t remember the book being about zombies. They might have been in it but they certainly weren’t the highlight. My review will tell you about the other details if you’re interested in reading it.
9. 10. Name of the Book:
The Guardian’s Kiss & The Guardian’s Soul by Jamie Lynn Dougherty
Part of a Series:
Yes.
Can be Read on its Own:
Yes. No.
Undead-o-Meter:
Proper zombie book, as was the first one in this series. Aside from the other issues that it has, which you will find highlighted in my reviews, here and here. the book does have something unique when it comes to zombies/eaters!
11. Name of the Book:
The Seven Habits of Highly Infective People by William Todd Rose
Part of a Series:
No.
Can be Read on its Own:
Yes.
Undead-o-Meter:
What I do remember about this book is something about eating a baby. That’s it! So, I gather it didn’t make much of an impression on me. Feel free to skip it.
12. Name of the Book:
The White Tree by Edward W. Robertson
Part of a Series:
Yes.
Can be Read on its Own:
Yes.
Undead-o-Meter:
While I enjoyed reading this book, the zombie parts weren’t the highlight of the story. It did make a good read though.
13. Name of the Book:
The Variant Effect: GreenMourning by G. Wells Taylor
Part of a Series:
Yes.
Can be Read on its Own:
Yes.
Undead-o-Meter:
The public is kept ignorant while a viral infection is turning people into zombies. It would be an okayish novella but the violence and bloodiness made it better than okay.
14. Name of the Book:
Dust by Joan Frances Turner
Part of a Series:
Yes.
Can be Read on its Own:
Yes.
Undead-o-Meter:
This book doesn’t shy away from violence and you will be able to visualize the undead munching on people as you read it. It is also a new take on zombies that form gangs, communicate with each other telepathically, can die again, and be infected. Don’t let the inconsistencies in the story keep you from reading right up to the end; it will be worth it!
14. Name of the Book:
In Wilder Lands & Into The Desert Wilds by Jim Galford
Part of a Series:
Yes.
Can be Read on its Own:
Yes. No.
Undead-o-Meter:
An indie that surprised me pleasantly enough that I continued with the second installment in the series. While it is a good book to read if you like anthropomorphic characters, it isn’t exactly focused on the undead. Family and love are the themes that you will find highlighted in this one.
17. Name of the Book:
Nether Regions by Jadette Paige
Part of a Series:
No.
Can be Read on its Own:
Yes.
Undead-o-Meter:
A novella rich with mythology contains zombies, revolves around a same sex couple who happen to be Amazons. Need I say more? Didn’t think so!
18. 19. 20. Name of the Book:
Zombie Jamboree, The Minion Chronicles: Paul and Brady Get Hoodoo with the Voodoo, and Biting the Bullet by Jennifer Rardin
Part of a Series:
Yes.
Can be Read on its Own:
Yes.
Undead-o-Meter:
I don’t remember much about these, which means they mustn’t have made a lasting impression. Skip them, if you like or read the last one for the Reavers — they are SCARY!
21. Name of the Book:
The Mammoth Book of Steampunk by various authors
Part of a Series:
No.
Can be Read on its Own:
No.
Undead-o-Meter:
The only story that I remember being about zombies in this collection was Reluctance by Cherie Priest. Lets just say that I was surprised to discover I could dislike a story that had both dirigibles and zombies in it!
22. Name of the Book:
Outbreak by Mark Clodi
Part of a Series:
Yes.
Can be Read on its Own:
Yes.
Undead-o-Meter:
An unusual take on zombies. I mean it was full of all kinds of errors from lack of editing and yet the concept made me read and like it. Try it! Please?
23. Name of the Book:
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Vol.2. by various authors
Story: Halloween Rains
Part of a Series:
Yes.
Can be Read on its Own:
Yes.
Undead-o-Meter:
In my review, I describe the story as Jeepers Creepers meets Zombie Apocalypse. I found the story okay.
24. Name of the Book:
Magic Gifts by Ilona Andrews
Part of a Series:
Yes.
Can be Read on its Own:
Yes.
Undead-o-Meter:
Technically, the undead in this novella are vampires, however, they act more like zombies, which is why I am including this book on the list. If you would like to read about a creature that is a zombie-vamp hybrid, then you should try this series. If not the zombies, then read it for well-written female characters.
25. Name of the Book:
Dead Man Walking by Marty Shaw
Part of a Series:
Yes.
Can be Read on its Own:
Yes.
Undead-o-Meter:
Imagine being trapped in a prison with prisoners rapidly turning into zombies! If you want more reasons to read this book, then my review says it all.
26. Name of the Book:
Mind Over Monsters by Jennifer Harlow
Part of a Series:
Yes.
Can be Read on its Own:
Yes.
Undead-o-Meter:
So, a team of “freaks” is formed to look into paranormal cases. This book is about a necromancer raising run-of-the-mill zombies and a race against time to catch him. The book has the usual issues that I associate with YA novels. If you can get past those, then you might end liking the book.
27. Name of the Book:
Zombie Killa by Jason Z Christie
Part of a Series:
No.
Can be Read on its Own:
Yes.
Undead-o-Meter:
Okay, so you will either love this book or hate it. My review will tell you I loved it and all the reasons why. Expect craziness but don’t expect the zombies to be unique in any way.
28. Name of the Book:
Anything Can Be Dangerous by Matt Hults
Part of a Series:
Yes.
Can be Read on its Own:
Yes.
Undead-o-Meter:
This one is icky and good. The book is actually a collection of several horror stories and 2 book previews. The one that has zombies in it is called The Finger, where a man ends up biting more than he can chew! I mention the other stories in my review, as well.
29. Name of the Book:
The Zombie Story by M. M. Shelley
Part of a Series:
Yes.
Can be Read on its Own:
Yes.
Undead-o-Meter:
This is a good place to start for most younger fans just sinking their teeth into zombie fiction. I found the whole zombie evolution idea intriguing.
30. Name of the Book:
Zombie Nights by Tom Lichtenberg
Part of a Series:
No.
Can be Read on its Own:
Yes.
Undead-o-Meter:
I loved this one. Not only did it have a zombie as the main character, it also managed to be hilarious. Check out my review for more details.
31. Name of the Book:
Crimes by Moonlight: Mysteries from the Dark Side by Marty Shaw
Story: Limbo by Steve Brewer
Part of a Series:
Yes.
Can be Read on its Own:
Yes.
Undead-o-Meter:
Imagine being trapped in a prison with prisoners rapidly turning into zombies! If you want more reasons to read this book, then my review says it all.
32. Name of the Book:
Bayou Moon by Ilona Andrews
Part of a Series:
Yes.
Can be Read on its Own:
Yes.
Undead-o-Meter:
This one has an evil necromancer doing all sorts of illegal experiments and raising a ruckus, as well as, the dead. I like this series for its weirdness.
33. Name of the Book:
World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks
Part of a Series:
No
Can be Read on its Own:
Yes.
Undead-o-Meter:
This book is all kinds of good. I love the scope of the book since it gives you a global perspective of a zombie apocalypse. It also follows the progression of the zombie infection as it spread universally. Moreover, it sketches a situation that has its roots based on reality, when talking about the aftermath of the infection.
34. Name of the Book:
36 Hours by Anthony Barnhart
Part of a Series:
No
Can be Read on its Own:
Yes.
Undead-o-Meter:
Looking for a typical zombie apocalypse? This book will do!
35. Name of the Book:
Nightingale’s Lament by Simon R. Green
Part of a Series:
Yes.
Can be Read on its Own:
Yes.
Undead-o-Meter:
The main character has a side-kick in this book who happens to be a zombie. I like this series because of its darkness even though it is a little too similar to another series *cough* Harry Dresden *cough*.
36. Name of the Book:
Bauchelain and Korbal Broach by Steven Erikson
Part of a Series:
Yes.
Can be Read on its Own:
Yes.
Undead-o-Meter:
This book is actually an introduction to a deadly duo. They are necromancers who have no shame and no morals. Even though you might miss some of the references, if you haven’t read the other books in the series, I’d recommend you to go ahead and read it anyway. The zombies are fun to read about and the necromancers are bastards. What more could you want from a book? For details, here’s where you’ll find my review.
37. Name of the Book:
Midnight Tides by Steven Erikson
Part of a Series:
Yes.
Can be Read on its Own:
No.
Undead-o-Meter:
So, this book contains an undead trio who are important to the story’s plot. I am still rating it green because they aren’t the center of the story. Nevertheless, Erikson does undead the way he does all other characters, including different races, genders, etc, completely and beautifully!
38. Name of the Book:
Bad Taste in Boys by Carrie Harris
Part of a Series:
Yes.
Can be Read on its Own:
Yes.
Undead-o-Meter:
Zombies and high school is a volatile combination. This book held my interest despite it being a YA, which isn’t really my cuppa. Read my review for more details.
39. Name of the Book:
Undead and Unpopular by MaryJanice Davidson
Part of a Series:
Yes.
Can be Read on its Own:
Yes.
Undead-o-Meter:
There is a zombie in this book. That is all I can say about it!
40. Name of the Book:
At Grave’s End by Jeaniene Frost
Part of a Series:
Yes.
Can be Read on its Own:
Yes.
Undead-o-Meter:
The book’s plot revolves around a voodoo queen who has a lot of juice and can raise your hair, as well as, the zombies! From a zombie-lover’s perspective: I’d say, give it a try!
41. Name of the Book:
Walking Dead by C. E. Murphy
Part of a Series:
Yes.
Can be Read on its Own:
Yes.
Undead-o-Meter:
This one is a fun-filled romp where the shaman heroine tries to deal with a major zombie uprising.
42. Name of the Book:
Wait Till Your Vampire Gets Home by Michele Bardsley
Part of a Series:
Yes.
Can be Read on its Own:
Yes.
Undead-o-Meter:
Even though the zombies are a major part of the book, the plot isn’t based on them. They are attacking a town and the townspeople do their best to fight back.
43. Name of the Book:
Dreadfully Ever After by Steve Hockensmith
Part of a Series:
Yes.
Can be Read on its Own:
Yes.
Undead-o-Meter:
If you can get over the sacrilege that is taking the characters from a beloved classic and reinserting them into a zombie filled narrative, then this book is for you. Darcy gets bitten in this book and his necrotic conversion is written well. Lizzie has to go search for a possible cure to stop her husband from becoming a shambler.
Okay, so this post was going to be about 50+ books and there are 57 books on my Zombie bookshelf on GR. However, I seem to have forgotten what went on in some of them. Any comments that can jog my memory down the undead lane would be most welcome!
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