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Zombiestan
Zombiestan
249 pages, Paperback
First published June 11, 2011
23 people are currently reading
578 people want to read
About the author
Mainak Dhar
58 books277 followersAfter finishing his schooling at Modern School, Barakhamba Road and his under-graduation at Hindu College, Delhi, Mainak Dhar graduated from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. He has spent two decades in the corporate sector — starting with Procter & Gamble in India. He spent eighteen years with P&G, fifteen of them outside India across the Asia Pacific region. In 2014, he moved back to India as the CEO of the India operations of a major consumer products multinational.
A self-described cubicle dweller by day and writer by night, Mainak is also the author of over a dozen books, some of which have been bestsellers in India and abroad. These books have been translated into Turkish, Vietnamese, Japanese, French, German and Portuguese. He lives in Mumbai with his wife, Puja, and their son, Aaditya. When not at work or with his family, he can usually be found working on, or thinking about his next book. Learn more about him and contact him at www.facebook.com/AuthorMainakDhar.
A self-described cubicle dweller by day and writer by night, Mainak is also the author of over a dozen books, some of which have been bestsellers in India and abroad. These books have been translated into Turkish, Vietnamese, Japanese, French, German and Portuguese. He lives in Mumbai with his wife, Puja, and their son, Aaditya. When not at work or with his family, he can usually be found working on, or thinking about his next book. Learn more about him and contact him at www.facebook.com/AuthorMainakDhar.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
July 30, 2012
Isn't Afghanistan bad enough without zombies? Mainak Dhar doesn't think so. In his new and different zombie book, A terrorist plot goes wrong and turns some Taliban fighters into zombies. Of course they spread the disease through bites and pretty soon the entire world is overrun by Taliban zombies who wear black turbans and scream...
Actually, I loved it. It's a nice take on never-dying Zombiemania. I think the author is making a point though. He concentrates heavily on man's own cruelty through ignorance and bigotry. Even with zombies non-breathing down your neck, man (and woman) finds it hard to put aside their own prejudices. But this wouldn't be important if Dhar didn't write a riveting adventure tale...and he did. Our intrepid and diverse heroes (and heroines) must make their way through Pakistan to India where there is allegedly a refugee area. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for some new life in the walking dead.
"JIIIIIHAAAADDD!"
Actually, I loved it. It's a nice take on never-dying Zombiemania. I think the author is making a point though. He concentrates heavily on man's own cruelty through ignorance and bigotry. Even with zombies non-breathing down your neck, man (and woman) finds it hard to put aside their own prejudices. But this wouldn't be important if Dhar didn't write a riveting adventure tale...and he did. Our intrepid and diverse heroes (and heroines) must make their way through Pakistan to India where there is allegedly a refugee area. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for some new life in the walking dead.
January 23, 2012
"That sir, down there, is Zombiestan"
A drone strike hits a Taliban house just as they are about to purchase biological weapons. The result are zombies Taliban fighters are the first to be infected eventually the scourge spreads across the world. Our story follows a military brat, a navy SEAL and a beautiful young woman who is caring for her brother. It comes to pass that the boy is immune to the zombie virus and out heroes fight to get him to safety so the antidote can be developed . it's a fun and fast paced story as they race across India to safety
A drone strike hits a Taliban house just as they are about to purchase biological weapons. The result are zombies Taliban fighters are the first to be infected eventually the scourge spreads across the world. Our story follows a military brat, a navy SEAL and a beautiful young woman who is caring for her brother. It comes to pass that the boy is immune to the zombie virus and out heroes fight to get him to safety so the antidote can be developed . it's a fun and fast paced story as they race across India to safety
Want to read
September 21, 2012Hey what's this?! Is this really a work by an Indian author? Then why is he not writing contemporary fiction or more cliched historical fiction like most of the Indian authors? Hell, why is he not writing fantasy which is a kind of rage nowadays here?
I still can't believe that this is an author of Indian origin who actually ventures in the post-apocalyptic fiction sub-genre. To be more precise, Zombie Fiction! (sub-sub-genre?). Wow! I am impressed, sir! Three stars in advance for making this happen in the first place. Additional stars when and after I read this (I am definitely going to as soon as possible).
I still can't believe that this is an author of Indian origin who actually ventures in the post-apocalyptic fiction sub-genre. To be more precise, Zombie Fiction! (sub-sub-genre?). Wow! I am impressed, sir! Three stars in advance for making this happen in the first place. Additional stars when and after I read this (I am definitely going to as soon as possible).
October 12, 2011
Since my first zombie movie I have loved stories about the undead. Mainak Dhar has once again reignited my love for these stories with Zombiestan. From start to finish this is an amazing book. Dhar infuses real life events and the story line to give such realism to this tale. By telling the tale in such a different way Zombiestan is set itself apart from most of the mainstream zombie books. Dhar realy makes you think of how these event could affect us today.
July 4, 2011
Wow! Very well done. You must suspend disbelief more than usual but the story is good enough and moves along and keeps you on the edge of your seat that the fantastic doesn't distract so much. It is easy to recommend this book.
January 4, 2012
Zombie terrorists? Well… sort of. Zombiestan takes all the best elements of the traditional zombie fiction and inserts them into the current day war on terror. I recently read Dhar’s Alice in Deadland and liked it so much that I had to try another of his novels. Zombiestan hit all the right notes for me. There was action, drama and.. of course… Zombies!
What sets Zombiestan apart from some other zombie novels out there is the skill in which Dhar works zombies into modern, real events and makes it all come out naturally… as if it was totally normal and that zombies are simply part of the landscape. What makes it extra fun is that these zombies are smart. They aren’t just dragging their feet along and moaning… they are hunters. They are looking for prey, and often the biters find something to bite. I like that the author took the bad guys (Taliban) and had them weaponize the zombies. This was a pretty neat element in my mind.
If you like terror, horror and zombies then Zombiestan is definitely a well crafted and imaginative tale of zombie warfare!
What sets Zombiestan apart from some other zombie novels out there is the skill in which Dhar works zombies into modern, real events and makes it all come out naturally… as if it was totally normal and that zombies are simply part of the landscape. What makes it extra fun is that these zombies are smart. They aren’t just dragging their feet along and moaning… they are hunters. They are looking for prey, and often the biters find something to bite. I like that the author took the bad guys (Taliban) and had them weaponize the zombies. This was a pretty neat element in my mind.
If you like terror, horror and zombies then Zombiestan is definitely a well crafted and imaginative tale of zombie warfare!
October 14, 2011
I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed reading this book. I didn't expect that I would sit and read the entire story in less than 3 hours, but I couldn't put it down. The story begins with Taliban members being infected with a lethal cocktail of chemicals they would have used to manufacture weapons of mass destruction. Within hours, they had turned into murderous zombies,effectively becoming the weapons of mass destruction they sought to acquire. The story follows an unlikely group of survivors as they struggle to reach a safe haven, even as the zombies become increasingly organized and launch well-planned attacks. This novel is an inspiring and thought-provoking blend of current events and science fiction.
November 17, 2012
Zombiestan takes the reader on an edge-of-the-seat journey by brining together terrorism and chemical warfare thus zooming out the proportions of terrors infinitely, that we already face today. Mainak takes the reader through a story, which is quite conventional and to an extent movie inspired, like a master storyteller pausing at the right turns, twisting at the right bends, educating and intriguing in the right measures as we tug along the tale of the undead. Full review: http://thetalespensieve.com/2012/11/1...
February 10, 2012
I loved this book! At first I peeked inside the cover and closed it quick because I'm afraid of zombies, but 10 minutes later I was already up to chapter three. I missed my dinner and kept on reading. I had to read through the night because I couldn't sleep. I finished this book at the crack of dawn and my knees were still shaking. Then I laughed at myself all morning for being such a scardy cat. Great book, great suspense, geat story!*If I build up my courage I'll read it again and again.
January 17, 2012
Great twist on the Zombie story. Can't wait to get my hand on his next one Alice in Deadland.
April 7, 2017
Very poorly written with plot twists that can be seen coming from a mile away. That being said, it is slightly better than Alice in Deadland.
August 24, 2013
I've been interested in apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction for a while, and so the recent surge of zombie movies, and stories, and their explorations of that particular kind of apocalypse have been fun and interesting. Zombiestan, which I picked up (and paid too much for) in an airport bookstore in Chennai, is actually aimed at young adult readers, though I didn't realize that until after I had finished it. My first impression when I was done with it, was that it was over too quickly. I enjoyed it as a fun and interesting diversion, though it wasn't an especially deep exploration of the genre. It was interesting to see that particular question in a different cultural setting, ie. India, and as a result, having different sorts of sub-plots, and constraints, within that cultural milieu. So as not to spoil anything for anyone, I'll just say that the end surprised me. It certainly had some flaws, especially in representing gender roles - in particular the emphasis on the main character (a 17 year old boy) to "be a man" and take care of the women and children. Still, not all gender roles were represented according to a totally patriarchal norm, and the role of the retired professor, a woman, and secret writer of romance novels, who is herself quite heroic, is positive and refreshing. In fact, despite the repeated emphasis on the need for this young boy to "be a hero", all the main characters in the story are strong and heroic, including the women. Despite these flaws, I truly enjoyed the book, and found it to be both fun and thought provoking, a combination not always easy to achieve. I would certainly recommend it to anyone who enjoys the genre, and to many who might find the non-American cultural setting to be more interesting than the standard American (or western) zombie story.
I should probably say something about the one other interesting, but also problematic aspect to the story: the zombies are zombified Taliban. And the infection, as it spreads, (by biting, of course) spreads not only the zombie-ness, but also an apparently jihadist, Taliban-ness, which means that those infected not only turn into zombies, but upon becoming zombies find black cloths to wrap around their heads as a black turban of signifying the Taliban. In the long run of the story, this detail about the Taliban origins of the zombie infection, and the results of it actually turn out to be incidental. The zombies do not particularly distinguish between people to bite and not to bite, or only attack some particular, ideologically driven targets. Like most zombies in other stories, they are pretty much indiscriminate, and being dead, not particularly ideologically driven. The explanation, therefore, of the Taliban-ness of these zombies seems particularly to be intent on making them even scarier, and more evil-seeming than just plain zombies. Oh, and over the course of the book they learn (or remember how) to use weapons, become more organized, and more intelligent that most zombies. Even so, all these things seem to serve primarily to make them scarier. I suppose it could be read as another sort of what-if story, in which the question becomes "What if the Taliban could take over the world, simply by biting people?" but I don't think this was the authors' intent. I think, like many authors writing in a genre already heavily populated, he was looking for ways to make this story different. Also, given that many zombie stories have become comedy, and the zombies become buffoonish slow and stupid targets, he was trying to kick it up a notch. I don't necessarily think it was the best choice to make them into zombified Taliban spreading Taliban-ness everywhere they went, but in the end, neither the ideology nor the appearance (i.e. black-turbaned), turns out to be particularly relevant to the story. I personally could have done without that aspect to it, and enjoyed the book as much, or more. But I suspect my own personal biases (not being a huge fan of the Taliban myself) prevent me from taking as much issue with this as others probably would (and perhaps as I should).
I should probably say something about the one other interesting, but also problematic aspect to the story: the zombies are zombified Taliban. And the infection, as it spreads, (by biting, of course) spreads not only the zombie-ness, but also an apparently jihadist, Taliban-ness, which means that those infected not only turn into zombies, but upon becoming zombies find black cloths to wrap around their heads as a black turban of signifying the Taliban. In the long run of the story, this detail about the Taliban origins of the zombie infection, and the results of it actually turn out to be incidental. The zombies do not particularly distinguish between people to bite and not to bite, or only attack some particular, ideologically driven targets. Like most zombies in other stories, they are pretty much indiscriminate, and being dead, not particularly ideologically driven. The explanation, therefore, of the Taliban-ness of these zombies seems particularly to be intent on making them even scarier, and more evil-seeming than just plain zombies. Oh, and over the course of the book they learn (or remember how) to use weapons, become more organized, and more intelligent that most zombies. Even so, all these things seem to serve primarily to make them scarier. I suppose it could be read as another sort of what-if story, in which the question becomes "What if the Taliban could take over the world, simply by biting people?" but I don't think this was the authors' intent. I think, like many authors writing in a genre already heavily populated, he was looking for ways to make this story different. Also, given that many zombie stories have become comedy, and the zombies become buffoonish slow and stupid targets, he was trying to kick it up a notch. I don't necessarily think it was the best choice to make them into zombified Taliban spreading Taliban-ness everywhere they went, but in the end, neither the ideology nor the appearance (i.e. black-turbaned), turns out to be particularly relevant to the story. I personally could have done without that aspect to it, and enjoyed the book as much, or more. But I suspect my own personal biases (not being a huge fan of the Taliban myself) prevent me from taking as much issue with this as others probably would (and perhaps as I should).
January 2, 2012
Zombies, terrorism, and a quest, oh my!
Combining the familiar with the unique, the new with the old, and the classic quest tale with zombies undead walking through the war devastated villages of Afghanistan, this book is a fascinating example of how, while there may literally be nothing new under the sun, there is always the possibility of a new vision arising on how to examine it.
The action does not let up for a minute, and the clever twists on familiar theme constantly surprise the reader in amazingly inventive ways. This author has written another book with a zombie component to it, Alice in Deadland, and after reading that one, I thought that there was nothing more he could do with zombies. I was wrong, He has surprised and delighted this reader, despite the fact that I’ve read dozens of other zombie themed books.
The heroic characters the author brings together to try to impose order on a world thrown into chaos include a relatively young girl protecting her little brother, an old author with no family or friends to provide him with a reason to go on, a military warrior weary of the wars, but determined to make it out alive and return to his family, and a teenage boy who has to cope with the unbelievably grief of having lost his family forever.
Forged into a complex unit by their common problem and quest, they solve problems in unique and clever ways which make clear the fact that working together, despite differences, is the only way to defeat the demons, real or imagined, and impose order and light on a world of chaos and darkness.
Combining the familiar with the unique, the new with the old, and the classic quest tale with zombies undead walking through the war devastated villages of Afghanistan, this book is a fascinating example of how, while there may literally be nothing new under the sun, there is always the possibility of a new vision arising on how to examine it.
The action does not let up for a minute, and the clever twists on familiar theme constantly surprise the reader in amazingly inventive ways. This author has written another book with a zombie component to it, Alice in Deadland, and after reading that one, I thought that there was nothing more he could do with zombies. I was wrong, He has surprised and delighted this reader, despite the fact that I’ve read dozens of other zombie themed books.
The heroic characters the author brings together to try to impose order on a world thrown into chaos include a relatively young girl protecting her little brother, an old author with no family or friends to provide him with a reason to go on, a military warrior weary of the wars, but determined to make it out alive and return to his family, and a teenage boy who has to cope with the unbelievably grief of having lost his family forever.
Forged into a complex unit by their common problem and quest, they solve problems in unique and clever ways which make clear the fact that working together, despite differences, is the only way to defeat the demons, real or imagined, and impose order and light on a world of chaos and darkness.
August 11, 2016
The Taliban use chemical warfare to create a race of zombies with infectious bites. The zombies quickly reach India, the most populous country in the world, where there is no shortage of people for them to bite. This is a fascinating premise which Mainak Dhar develops in action-packed fashion. There is no shortage of battle, but Dhar also provides a healthy dose of humanity also as he shows a group of strangers, thrown together, bond into a new family that crosses lines of nationality and religion. There are human villains as well as zombies.
I tore through this book once I had time to do so, constantly interested to learn what would happen next. I do feel as if it is rather short at 200 pages. I wouldn't have minded more detail. Although there was some flavor specific to India and Afghanistan, I would have appreciated more of it to make this book truly distinctive. If there is a sequel, I would suggest that by some means live Taliban become able to control the Biters (zombies) and use them like cannon fodder in their operations, adding a strategic element to the conflict, and also that we see the reactions of moderate Islam to this situation. The clash of ideology and philosophy which make stories of Taliban vs. the world fascinating could play a great role. Also, what role would the Chinese choose to play as neighbors to the conflict?
This is the first zombie novel I have read, and the first novel by Mainak Dhar. I will be reading more of both next year.
I tore through this book once I had time to do so, constantly interested to learn what would happen next. I do feel as if it is rather short at 200 pages. I wouldn't have minded more detail. Although there was some flavor specific to India and Afghanistan, I would have appreciated more of it to make this book truly distinctive. If there is a sequel, I would suggest that by some means live Taliban become able to control the Biters (zombies) and use them like cannon fodder in their operations, adding a strategic element to the conflict, and also that we see the reactions of moderate Islam to this situation. The clash of ideology and philosophy which make stories of Taliban vs. the world fascinating could play a great role. Also, what role would the Chinese choose to play as neighbors to the conflict?
This is the first zombie novel I have read, and the first novel by Mainak Dhar. I will be reading more of both next year.
December 8, 2012
It was completely impossible to come across this author, if not because of a reading group on Facebook. Mainak Dhar, I came to know, is a best-selling author on Amazon. In fact, he has already got thirteen best-selling ebooks on Amazon.
After reading this book, I was wondering why such a brilliant writer is not getting the lime light he deserved. Just consider my rating - 4 out of 5. It is not a normal rating! I rarely give any book 4 and scarcely above 4, save if the book touched the deepest of my heart. And this book did touch.
Plot:
A new kind of plague starts to spread around the world. It all started in a small village, in the outskirts of Afghanistan. Then start, it spreads faster than a fire could spread in a field full of hay. Just on the second day of the outbreak of the plague, there are reported spotting of humans turned into some creatures - with sores all over their skin, blood and pus spluttering out of their boils, their skin yellow in colour, with crooked teeth - when the infected bit them. All the zombies - thats what they seemed to the people - performed an act, immediately after transforming - typing a black turban around their heads, just like Muslim terrorists. After all, the whole idea of plan was create terror...............
To read the whole review, click the link below....
http://booksreviewwala.blogspot.in/20...
After reading this book, I was wondering why such a brilliant writer is not getting the lime light he deserved. Just consider my rating - 4 out of 5. It is not a normal rating! I rarely give any book 4 and scarcely above 4, save if the book touched the deepest of my heart. And this book did touch.
Plot:
A new kind of plague starts to spread around the world. It all started in a small village, in the outskirts of Afghanistan. Then start, it spreads faster than a fire could spread in a field full of hay. Just on the second day of the outbreak of the plague, there are reported spotting of humans turned into some creatures - with sores all over their skin, blood and pus spluttering out of their boils, their skin yellow in colour, with crooked teeth - when the infected bit them. All the zombies - thats what they seemed to the people - performed an act, immediately after transforming - typing a black turban around their heads, just like Muslim terrorists. After all, the whole idea of plan was create terror...............
To read the whole review, click the link below....
http://booksreviewwala.blogspot.in/20...
October 14, 2011
Unbelievably inventive, a different kind of zombie story
Yes, I thought I had read every variation on the zombie story, but this is entirely different and incredibly inventive. The Taliban dead become zombies. The threat of dead terrorists rise from the grave, walking among the living, adding a current topical theme to an existing genre. And that’s just the beginning of what happens. The four characters who are drawn together by circumstances to combat the threat are each intriguing believable characters in their own right. The action is fast paced, and the author succeeds in making the seemingly unlikely story line strong and realistic. It is also in the time-honored tradition of the quest tale, in which the four previous strangers, drawn together to survive and overcome a common danger embark on the mission of their life to find the solution that will save both themselves and the world from a horrific danger. Mixing terrorism with zombies is a clever twist, and most readers will not be able to put down this original well written tale.
Yes, I thought I had read every variation on the zombie story, but this is entirely different and incredibly inventive. The Taliban dead become zombies. The threat of dead terrorists rise from the grave, walking among the living, adding a current topical theme to an existing genre. And that’s just the beginning of what happens. The four characters who are drawn together by circumstances to combat the threat are each intriguing believable characters in their own right. The action is fast paced, and the author succeeds in making the seemingly unlikely story line strong and realistic. It is also in the time-honored tradition of the quest tale, in which the four previous strangers, drawn together to survive and overcome a common danger embark on the mission of their life to find the solution that will save both themselves and the world from a horrific danger. Mixing terrorism with zombies is a clever twist, and most readers will not be able to put down this original well written tale.
April 16, 2012
Unimpressed.
First off, the editing sucked. The book is full of gramatical errors and incomplete sentences. Might be a kindle edition thing, but I feel like one of those biters might have done a better job proofreading the thing.
The writing feels rushed, too descriptive and leaving a lot of chances to go deeper in to the characters untouched.
In between all those shortcomings, I was able to enjoy the story, which accounts for the 2.332 stars I'm willing to give. I truly hope Mainak Dhar redeems himself with Alice in Deadland currently sitting on my "to read" shelf.
First off, the editing sucked. The book is full of gramatical errors and incomplete sentences. Might be a kindle edition thing, but I feel like one of those biters might have done a better job proofreading the thing.
The writing feels rushed, too descriptive and leaving a lot of chances to go deeper in to the characters untouched.
In between all those shortcomings, I was able to enjoy the story, which accounts for the 2.332 stars I'm willing to give. I truly hope Mainak Dhar redeems himself with Alice in Deadland currently sitting on my "to read" shelf.
February 10, 2012
Wow! What a mindblowing fast paced ride! Beyond the well crafted characters and imaginative scenes, the glue that kept me magnetized continuously throughout this book was the poignant human interaction between vastly different characters. I was fascinated by the way Mr. Dhar has created unexpected human connection between strangers and particularly during such a highly stressful time. His colorful array of characters find a way into your heart. This has been a real treat, because I was initially hesitant to commit to a zombie novel. However, Mainak Dhar's wordsmithery has converted this zombie nonbeliever into a zombie addict! A very timely read considering the current climate of terror of terrorists, nicely mixed together with a refreshing zombie twist!
February 13, 2012
In a unique twist on the zombie genre, Zombiestan manages to mix the zombie genre with real world monsters. Undead Taliban however are not the only danger our protagonists must face as the greatest monster proves to be man. A motley band of strangers find themselves united in a quest to save not only themselves, but possibly humanity. The personal interaction between these very different people is the most intriguing part of the book and adds an element of believability to a fantastic story. If you are looking for an interesting read that manages to not only entertain, but also make a statement about real world events and issues then look no further than Zombiestan.
December 28, 2011
AS a lover of Zombie movies the concept of this movie intrigued me. Mainak Dhar’s realism in telling the story amazed me. Zombiestan did nothing short of deliver on what I would have wanted to read. From the start of this book to the end Dhar makes you wonder if these events could really happen and how would we be affected. Zombiestan sets itself apart from the traditional methods of zombie stories and leads you down a path making you want to read more. I am looking forward to reading other books by Dhar.
August 19, 2025
I shudder to think of what might happen if the premise of Mainak Dhar's Zombiestan were to come true. Of course, the plot isn't an original one, having been picked to shreds by Hollywood. But there is an original twist to the familiar theme here. Besides, books always had the quality of being more real to me, more real even than the world of movies, which is always the imagination of other people. In this case, an imagination fed by your own fears is far more real and frightening.
The plot runs like this. Even as the modern world reels under the assault mounted by terror organisations, no one has the slightest idea that things are about to get infinitely worse. The horror begins with undead Talibanis who bite others and begin to spread the evil. Very quickly the terror spreads to all parts of the world and governments quake and tumble as life and humanity become the first casualties.
Five unlikely people, including a US Navy Seal, an elderly history professor, a 17-year old school boy, a 15-year old girl and her 3-year-old brother, are thrown together in their quest to keep themselves alive and find succour.
When they find out that the child is immune to the madness, they decide that he must be saved as he is the only chance that the world has. They begin a journey to a place in Ladakh in the Himalayas that promises to offer safety.
Along the way, they meet many dangers, human and inhuman, and it takes the four grownups every ounce of energy and courage they have to fight against these dangers.
Of course there were some things which remained unexplained. I wish Dhar had taken the time to tie up those loose ends. Why does a small three-year-old boy hold a key to the cure? Also, how did those assorted chemicals unleash such a disaster? And how does the shouting of the single word, jihad, and the tying of the black turban further the Talibani cause?
The characters are interesting, with credible back stories. The young hero, Mayukh, begins the journey as an unwilling one. Consumed by guilt at never having proved himself a responsible son to his parents, he learns to find reserves of strength within himself. It helps that he was trained to shoot by his bureaucrat father.
The sense of the futility of fighting against an enemy that never tires, but gets stronger by the moment, even as their own defences are steadily getting used up and giving way to fatigue overpowers the reader.
To Dhar’s credit, the budding romance is kept low-key, as it ought to be between two youngsters who besides experiencing the emotion called Love for the very first time are also grappling with an extreme peril. One that has destroyed the world as we know it, and led to chaos.
This book is written for young adults, but no matter what your age, don’t let that stop you from picking it up and reading it cover to cover.
The plot runs like this. Even as the modern world reels under the assault mounted by terror organisations, no one has the slightest idea that things are about to get infinitely worse. The horror begins with undead Talibanis who bite others and begin to spread the evil. Very quickly the terror spreads to all parts of the world and governments quake and tumble as life and humanity become the first casualties.
Five unlikely people, including a US Navy Seal, an elderly history professor, a 17-year old school boy, a 15-year old girl and her 3-year-old brother, are thrown together in their quest to keep themselves alive and find succour.
When they find out that the child is immune to the madness, they decide that he must be saved as he is the only chance that the world has. They begin a journey to a place in Ladakh in the Himalayas that promises to offer safety.
Along the way, they meet many dangers, human and inhuman, and it takes the four grownups every ounce of energy and courage they have to fight against these dangers.
Of course there were some things which remained unexplained. I wish Dhar had taken the time to tie up those loose ends. Why does a small three-year-old boy hold a key to the cure? Also, how did those assorted chemicals unleash such a disaster? And how does the shouting of the single word, jihad, and the tying of the black turban further the Talibani cause?
The characters are interesting, with credible back stories. The young hero, Mayukh, begins the journey as an unwilling one. Consumed by guilt at never having proved himself a responsible son to his parents, he learns to find reserves of strength within himself. It helps that he was trained to shoot by his bureaucrat father.
The sense of the futility of fighting against an enemy that never tires, but gets stronger by the moment, even as their own defences are steadily getting used up and giving way to fatigue overpowers the reader.
To Dhar’s credit, the budding romance is kept low-key, as it ought to be between two youngsters who besides experiencing the emotion called Love for the very first time are also grappling with an extreme peril. One that has destroyed the world as we know it, and led to chaos.
This book is written for young adults, but no matter what your age, don’t let that stop you from picking it up and reading it cover to cover.
January 27, 2019
A post apocalyptic novel, which revolves around a mixed group of strangers.
First thing I liked about the novel is that the language is fluid and its easy to understand, although occasionally there are few words in which we have to look for the dictionary to know the meaning. And some of them seemed out of place.
Initial stage of the book is pretty slow, so it me some time to get through the first couple of chapters. And then the story starts to pick up pace.
And once you reach the middle of the story its almost impossible to stop without finishing it up. Even then i want to read more and know about the lives of the survivors and the fate of the forthcoming days of humanity.
Undead zombies with their own mind, is a different concept from all those existing zombie movies and stories, and yes its a good approach to separate these Biters from the other mindless monster who just wants to feed on anything that moves.
And the outline of the story is pretty simple and easily predictable. People staying together, fighting their way to the safety, the sacrifices,etc.. etc... And then there is the cure for this disease which has unfolded in a deadly manner around the world. The cure comes in form of a boy, although its a good one, Its nothing new and there are even few movies with same plot like this.
But overall its a good read and the author nails a decent score for himself.
First thing I liked about the novel is that the language is fluid and its easy to understand, although occasionally there are few words in which we have to look for the dictionary to know the meaning. And some of them seemed out of place.
Initial stage of the book is pretty slow, so it me some time to get through the first couple of chapters. And then the story starts to pick up pace.
And once you reach the middle of the story its almost impossible to stop without finishing it up. Even then i want to read more and know about the lives of the survivors and the fate of the forthcoming days of humanity.
Undead zombies with their own mind, is a different concept from all those existing zombie movies and stories, and yes its a good approach to separate these Biters from the other mindless monster who just wants to feed on anything that moves.
And the outline of the story is pretty simple and easily predictable. People staying together, fighting their way to the safety, the sacrifices,etc.. etc... And then there is the cure for this disease which has unfolded in a deadly manner around the world. The cure comes in form of a boy, although its a good one, Its nothing new and there are even few movies with same plot like this.
But overall its a good read and the author nails a decent score for himself.
March 20, 2020
This book is about 5 people Mayukh a son of a government official who losses his family in the tyrrant zombies, a seal soldier David, Hina a history teacher, swati and abhi sister and brother duo. This new type of terror attack off making people alive after they are dead making them zombies make these 5 people come together as it's the survival of the fittest situation. Abhi the small kid being bit by the zombies does not make him turn into zombies. This makes the zombies target abhi for their survival. The zombies in this book are not only alive from dead but also they are learning new things every night. They can talk, they can use their mind which is a new concept in this book. Author has brilliantly designed the story and he has a strong hold of the story till the end. It makes the reader to not stop. The concept of this story is unique like his other book 3:02. It's about the adventure this 5 make to reach a airforce base in ladhak.I would suggest all readers to read this book. Overall i would say it's a very good Goodread.. 🙂
July 19, 2019
Zombiestan is a different take on the whole zombie genre, in this book the plague begins not from some mysterious virus or otherworldly undescribed circumstance but rather an attempt by the Taliban in Afghanistan to create a biological terror weapon. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) for them this attempt is interrupted by an attack by the US military that kills all those involved in the strategy meeting about such where the weapons were on site being delivered. Unfortunately for everyone else, the weapon is released by a missile attack by the US military and subsequently contracted by the Taliban who go in to collect their leaders remains.
As with most virus based novels the infection quickly spreads around the world thanks to a delayed onset and air travel. The primary focus of the story is a small group in India who are attempting to reach a safe haven.
It wasn't too bad a story, there were a couple of editing errors and I found it a little bizarre that the author called the ammunition magazine in a rifle a 'magazine' but the ammunition magazine in a handgun a 'clip'... both are magazines.
Regardless, it was quite an entertaining romp through the streets and mountains of India with several curious interactions with other survivors making for an interesting reading experience.
As with most virus based novels the infection quickly spreads around the world thanks to a delayed onset and air travel. The primary focus of the story is a small group in India who are attempting to reach a safe haven.
It wasn't too bad a story, there were a couple of editing errors and I found it a little bizarre that the author called the ammunition magazine in a rifle a 'magazine' but the ammunition magazine in a handgun a 'clip'... both are magazines.
Regardless, it was quite an entertaining romp through the streets and mountains of India with several curious interactions with other survivors making for an interesting reading experience.
August 30, 2021
Read this back two years ago just before quarantine hit. I was in love with the plot. I understand why my past self liked this book. But this is definitely NOT one of my favorites now like as it used to be.
The Romance between Swati and Mayukh felt like an unnecessary addition to the plot. It slowed down the pace a bit. I like fast-paced books without any romantic elements in them so it's probably just me.
Yeah, and Mayukh's character development was over-the-edge amazing. David's being alive was something I never saw coming.
And evolving zombies. That's genius.
There were a few grammatical errors here and there, and the first few pages were a drag to get through. It can be boring at times but if you want to read something until the end without DNFing it, then- I say, go for it.
Not the best, but not the worst either. A good read to get you out of your slump.
3.7 out of 5 stars.
The Romance between Swati and Mayukh felt like an unnecessary addition to the plot. It slowed down the pace a bit. I like fast-paced books without any romantic elements in them so it's probably just me.
Yeah, and Mayukh's character development was over-the-edge amazing. David's being alive was something I never saw coming.
And evolving zombies. That's genius.
There were a few grammatical errors here and there, and the first few pages were a drag to get through. It can be boring at times but if you want to read something until the end without DNFing it, then- I say, go for it.
Not the best, but not the worst either. A good read to get you out of your slump.
3.7 out of 5 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2024
0/1 ★ for plot
0.5/1 ★ for characters and character development
0.5/1 ★ for writing style and narration
0.5/1 ★ for pace
0.5/1 ★ for world-building
Quick zombie junk food set in South Asia!
The overall plot was both silly and cliche. The silly: a Taliban-created zombie virus breaks out in Afghanistan and spreads worldwide, turning the infected into undead committing "jihad" due to memories embedded in the virus. The cliche: once again, a little kid is immune and becomes the world's only hope to vaccinate the survivors.
Narrator John (Rafter) Lee and the interesting cast of characters kept me going. My favorite interactions were between a U.S. Navy Seal and an elderly professor who secretly wrote steamy romance novels XD
0.5/1 ★ for characters and character development
0.5/1 ★ for writing style and narration
0.5/1 ★ for pace
0.5/1 ★ for world-building
Quick zombie junk food set in South Asia!
The overall plot was both silly and cliche. The silly: a Taliban-created zombie virus breaks out in Afghanistan and spreads worldwide, turning the infected into undead committing "jihad" due to memories embedded in the virus. The cliche: once again, a little kid is immune and becomes the world's only hope to vaccinate the survivors.
Narrator John (Rafter) Lee and the interesting cast of characters kept me going. My favorite interactions were between a U.S. Navy Seal and an elderly professor who secretly wrote steamy romance novels XD
April 13, 2023
Underrated. Will give 4.4 ⭐. Just because the author is Indian doesn't mean that the book is not good.
(Will try not to give spoilers) When missiles are fired on some biological weapons, it causes a disaster which one could not even have imagined.
People turn into zombies... and can't be killed even when shot...(and no, headshots won't work).
David, a US Navy SEAL, joins a 17 year old boy, a girl of about the same age, an old writer, and a little boy as they get to know how they could probably be saved or..... killed.
I felt that the last chapter was a bit rushed. But overall, a great read. And it's definitely underrated. Must read.
(Will try not to give spoilers) When missiles are fired on some biological weapons, it causes a disaster which one could not even have imagined.
People turn into zombies... and can't be killed even when shot...(and no, headshots won't work).
David, a US Navy SEAL, joins a 17 year old boy, a girl of about the same age, an old writer, and a little boy as they get to know how they could probably be saved or..... killed.
I felt that the last chapter was a bit rushed. But overall, a great read. And it's definitely underrated. Must read.
January 27, 2018
Perhaps it's a sign of bad taste on my part or a lack of a cultural match up, but I just can't get too deep into this book for on niggling reason. Just about any paragraph which includes the seal insists on itself. It's like it has to add in about his extensive training, how he's a killing machine, how his brothers fought and died beside him. Throughout the entire book. All the way until it literally cannot do that anymore. I'm always down with zombie horror, post-apocalyptic fiction, and genre bending stuff (a zombie jihad), but that one thing rubbed me entirely the wrong way.
August 22, 2017
A US Navy Seal, a seventeen year old high schooler and an old woman who writes erotica join forces to get a three year old boy and his sister to safety in zombie infested North India. I would describe Mainak Dhar's book neither as 'unputdownable' and great, nor as boring and 'forgettable'. Sure, there are enough plotholes, character cliches and most of the stuff happening is not explained. But it sure is engaging and packed with enough action to keep you entertained throughout.
February 19, 2021
Another book that my 13 year old instinct said will be good. And it was. For people below a certain age it is good. Because as a 13 year old all you needed zombies and a book that gave you a certain video game environment nostalgias. And the description at the back of book was exactly something a 12-13 year would get drawn to.
If you belong to that certain age group and love to explore the world of books go for it.
If you belong to that certain age group and love to explore the world of books go for it.
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