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
