Book info

• Title Z 2134
• Author Sean Platt
• Year 2012
• Genre Horror

It is the year 2134 in a dystopian America, following a series of zombie plagues which infected and decimated much of the world’s population starting 100 years ago. Those left, formed six walled Cities throughout the continent, all under the rule of a totalitarian government which enforces strict control over its populace. You must obey your government. You must be a good citizen. You must be a productive citizen. You must not break the law. Or The City Watch will find you and arrest you. Jonah Lovecraft, a former Watcher, was arrested for the murder of his wife. And like most criminals, he has one chance at freedom — to participate in The Darwin Games, a televised survival show which pits two players from each city against one another in The Barrens, the uninhabited areas outside the City Walls. He’ll also have to face another enemy — the zombies which still roam The Barrens. As he fights for his freedom against impossible odds, his daughter, Anastasia, stumbles into people who have information about her father — information which will change her life forever. But it will also put her in the crosshairs of her father’s enemies.

Thoughts

I’m hard placed to know exactly how I feel about this one. On the surface, it’s a good book, well-written, fast-paced, keeps you intrigued with good characters and strong dialogue. On the other hand, it’s just The Hunger Games with Zombies. I mean, the authors themselves freely admit that was the question that started it all - “What if the Hunger Games had zombies?”

It’s nice that it’s not a by-the-numbers zombie book but equally, it’s not the most original idea. To the point where there’s a love interest in the games, and there’s lots of talk about making a choice when it comes down to it. To the sibling left at home trying to make sense of the world. To the various Cities or Districts, and the rogue one that is supposedly undetectable.

What’s slightly odd about it is that it feels like the young adult books that have gone before, and is yet oddly graphic with plenty of swearing and some really uncomfortable sequences and situations.

So in summary, good book, not a new idea, and may not be to everyone’s tastes.

Rating: 3 / 5