BOOK REVIEW: The Zombie Survival Guide: How to Live Like a King After the Outbreak by Etienne Guerin DeForest

There are several zombie survival guides out there, but none like this one. No other guide will explain how getting blackout drunk can help a zombie bite or how to turn a zombie into a sex slave. But luckily this one explains everything you need to know in order to "live like a king" after the zombie outbreak - from zombie crabs to zombie pimps.

The Zombie Survival Guide: How to Live Like a King After the Outbreak is crude yet hilarious. Several moments in the book had me laughing hysterically. Here's one of my favourite passages as an example:

When approaching a prospective human, first ask them what their name is.

• If it replies "Brains," blow its head off.
• If it replies "Brian," ask it again, as you may have encountered a zombie with a speech impediment, or a zombie that was mildly retarded in life.
• Keep in mind that it is entirely possible that you did encounter a human named "Brian."

That passage still cracks me up and there are plenty of other laughs. Including some from the amusing diagrams featured in the book.

But I should caution readers that if you don't like politically incorrect jokes, or get offended easily this is not the book for you. At times it can be racist, homophobic and just generally offensive. But as long as you don't take it too seriously, you'll find it funny.

The survival guide is very thorough including information on zombie history, origins of zombies, weapons, dealing with humans and zombies after the outbreak and training zombies. And it's a quick read at just 117 pages which fly by thanks to its entertaining content.

Overall, a very funny book that will "not only teach you how to survive the zombie outbreak, but how to do it with STYLE." If there is ever a zombie apocalypse this is the guide I will use to survive. It's available on Amazon for $7.99 and the Kindle edition is only 99 cents.

Rating: 4/5

BOOK REVIEW: Dead of Night by C.M. Saunders

When Nick plans a camping trip for himself and his new girlfriend, Maggie, he ignores the stories about the location he has chosen. Supposedly the area was used as a burial ground for Civil War soldiers and several disappearances have been reported in the area. But Nick and Maggie learn the truth when they are woken by a Confederate zombie in the middle of the night.

The plot isn't the most unique, but Dead of Night is still entertaining for zombie fans. Although it has lots of gore, it isn't all about the blood and guts. Instead it is suspenseful and atmospheric. The scene where Nick wakes up in the middle of the night and first spots a zombie is tense. And being in the middle of nowhere, disconnected from the rest of the world with no one to turn to for help, added to the creepiness.

At the beginning, C.M. Saunders takes time to establish the characters, and although some may find that part slow, I found their relationship and discussion of Michael Jackson interesting. Since Nick and Maggie were well-developed I cared about them and found the story more interesting.

The Confederate zombies in Dead of Night were a little different than other zombies in fiction. They were more intelligent and were armed with guns - and could actually use them. Making Nick and Maggie's fight for survival even more challenging and exciting.

My only complaint is that, as most horror characters, Nick and Maggie made some stupid mistakes. But I suppose if they didn't this novella would only be 10 pages long.

Dead of Night is a quick, suspenseful read and recommended for all zombie lovers. You can buy the ebook from Damnation Books here for a mere $4.50 or from Amazon.

Rating: 4/5

BOOK REVIEW: Witching Hour Theatre by Jonathan Janz

I love horror movies. I love horror novels. So when the two are combined - as they are in Witching Hour Theatre - I become very excited. And this story not only featured a movie theatre as a setting and several horror film references, but it was also very spooky.

Larry Wilson never misses Witching Hour Theatre, the horror flick triple feature shown at midnight on Friday nights at Starlight Cinema. This week's films include new teen slasher, Death Mountain, the classic, The Omen, and a B movie Wilson has never heard of, Veil of the White Temptress. Being a horror fanatic, Wilson doesn't expect to become so frightened by the last film. Or to be alone in the dark theatre with a mysterious stranger....

Witching Hour Theatre is a novella and a mere 47 pages, making it a quick read - I finished it in less than an hour. But despite its length, the novella still manages to pack a punch. The villains "Longface" and "Pumpkinhead" are undeniably creepy and Larry's first encounter with the former gave me goosebumps.

It's easy for horror movie fans to identify with the main character, Larry, who is a diehard horror fan. But his love interest isn't developed enough for me to care about her. Also, since Larry didn't know her well it made me question why he would risk his own life to save her.

The horror movie references make this a fun novella. Janz really articulates how it feels to watch a horror flick on the big screen - or any film in general. The taste of the buttery popcorn and sugary Twizzlers, the sounds of other moviegoers groaning and cheering, the sight of the blood being splatted onscreen, etc. His descriptions make me want to venture to the theatre immediately and experience those feelings again.

All horror movie fans should give Witching Hour Theatre a read. The Kindle edition is only $5.00. If you don't have a Kindle, you can download a free Kindle application for your computer, Blackberry, iPhone or iPad here.

Rating: 4/5