Zombie Games (Origins)

By Kristen Middleton

This YA story is a lighthearted adventure filled with zombies, butt-kicking teenaged girls, a man obsessed with video games, an annoying but totally HOT karate instructor, and humor when needed.

Editorial Review
Eclectic Bookworm

The book resolves around a young heroine, Cassie, age 17. The first book sets the basis of who she is, who the main players in her life are, and who she is prior to the end of the world. She is a black belt in karate, she is a gun enthusiast (thanks to her father), she is independent and fiercely loyal to her friends and family. She is at the age where she is starting to really notice boys and their attention to her. I really enjoy this character. At times she is too stubborn, but overall her heart is in the right place.

I’m not going to outline the plot of each book, but talk about the books as a whole and why I like them.

There is a twist on how the zombies came in to being (I’m not going to spoil it)
The zombies don’t follow the traditional zombie rules
The books are funny, some of the characters are hilarious.
The characters are very well developed, the reader becomes attached to them
Plenty of action
During the third book, an element of mystery and suspense is held as the point of view is switched among characters. Very effective.
Elements of romance between Cassie and another character.
The actual “zombie games” are terrifying, yet incredibly imaginative
Page turner

I did appreciate the way the author handled the issue of gun safety. She made it abundantly clear that Cassie was extremely familiar with guns, was taught how to handle them properly and kept up her training with them. I feel that was incredibly responsible of the author. She also mentioned that those who did not know how to shoot used baseball bats or other bludgeons to kill zombies.

Some things that were sketchy:

sometimes in the action sequence, it is difficult to determine who is doing what to who — especially during the action sequence at the last “games” in book three, and immediately afterward
time sequence — it is not exactly clear how much time has passed throughout the books, that would be helpful

One thing I do have issue with, mainly from the first book, is the issue with vaccinations. I am a nurse. Of course I am pro-vaccination. Throughout the first book there is an undercurrent of anti-vaccination. I understand the author is entitled to her opinion, I just disagree with it.

Overall, I am addicted to this series. I would recommend it to anyone interested in the zombie genre as it is another take on the zombie apocalypse. Highly entertaining, engaging, fun. The characters are memorable, the action is believable, the author really paints the picture of a post-apocalyptic zombie wasteland.

The next book is due in March 2013.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kristen Middleton
• Release date: Aug 28, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476168586

Kristen Middleton

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kristen Middleton (K.L Middleton) has written and published over thirty-nine stories. She also writes gritty romance novels under the name, Cassie Alexandra.

Reviews for Zombie Games (Origins)

[toobusyreading · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I've been reading some pretty good but serious books recently, and wanted something quick and fun. Some of my online friends are almost zombie-obsessed so I thought I'd dip my toe in the waters with this one.Blaugh. Not for me at all. Despite the violence, it was actually pretty boring. The protagonist was too good to be true, the romance was silly, and the zombies – I get it, they smell bad and they are rotting. But how many times do I have to have the same gore described over and over. Not interesting. There were a couple of mildly amusing bits about a manicure. There was some bad grammar. Whether it was intentional as character development or an editing mistake, I don't know but it didn't fit. Clean as far as profanity (at least I don't remember any but I wasn't on the alert for it) and no explicit sex.And the ending...well there was no ending. There was instead a break in the story while I am supposed to go buy book 2. No.So, I wanted something to empty my mind, and this worked about as well as a nap would have.