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Cataclysm
"I'm a zombie. Twelve years of running and hiding and fighting, and they finally got me. They got me, and I didn't even notice."
Ryan has spent most of his life running from zombies, and he considers himself to be pretty good, but everyone makes mistakes. He and his best friend, Mack, are running for their lives when they stumble across a group of survivors thriving in a mountain cave. What Ryan doesn't notice in all the mayhem is that he's been bitten. When he comes to, he thinks he should be killed on the spot, but the optimists in the group think they can cure him. As far as he's concerned, he's got three months to live, but for Mack's sake, he agrees to let them try. Fortunately—or perhaps unfortunately—a lot can happen in three months.
Ryan has spent most of his life running from zombies, and he considers himself to be pretty good, but everyone makes mistakes. He and his best friend, Mack, are running for their lives when they stumble across a group of survivors thriving in a mountain cave. What Ryan doesn't notice in all the mayhem is that he's been bitten. When he comes to, he thinks he should be killed on the spot, but the optimists in the group think they can cure him. As far as he's concerned, he's got three months to live, but for Mack's sake, he agrees to let them try. Fortunately—or perhaps unfortunately—a lot can happen in three months.
420 pages, Paperback
Published July 8, 2025
1 person is currently reading
7 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 19, 2024
This I really enjoyed, a well written, well paced, zombie adventure! Great idea, really interesting as it is from the point of view of a poor guy as he turns into a zombie & the following weeks in his life. It has Christian overtones, but not to heavy, as well as a positive outcome in the end! A really great read & I do recommend!
July 18, 2024
So here we have that unlikeliest of genre combinations, clean, uplifting Christian Horror. Actually, I don't think I'd personally categorize it as Horror--sure, circumstances are dire, horrifying things happen, but this story doesn't have the creeping tension, the sense of uncanny darkness and evil, that to me characterizes true "Horror." I had a feeling it wouldn't, and that's why I decided to read it, and what a journey it was!
Cataclysm is the story of Ryan's struggle to survive and find truth in the midst of the very worst the world has to offer… a zombie virus plague. It isn't long before he's bitten trying to protect a friend, and the virus begins to make its way through his body to his brain… things look bleak, but then he runs into a group of fellow survivors, who think they may have a cure.
The author did a great job developing her characters in this story. Even the minor ones felt vivid and real. I think Duck was my favorite, (can't help loving a character who brings the comic relief when it's done well,) but Peyton was excellent, too. I enjoyed how her simple, rather black and white faith, typical of the young teenager she was, was tempered and given nuance by the fact she grew up after the "End of the World." The various characters' Christian faith was woven into the story in a way that felt extremely natural and organic to the story.
And before I forget, I was also thrilled to see Aliyah! Even though she was a very minor character, a positive portrayal of a Muslim character in Christian fiction is so extremely rare she's worth mentioning--sadly, even rarer than a Christian zombie hunter.
Ryan, our protagonist, was a bit harder to warm up to--I didn't enjoy the parts of the story in his POV as much as some of the others. You would think this would be due to his "zombification," but for me it had more to do with how set he was on doing what he thought was right despite practically everyone counseling him otherwise. A little stubbornness is good, but when it's your only notable character trait, it gets old fast. I think he actually became more interesting as the virus progressed… and the way it paralleled losing a loved one to dementia was unexpectedly moving.
My only real complaint about the story was that it was too long. A lot happened, but not enough "different" things happened to justify how much time was spent on Ryan's sickness and his (very repetitive) internal monologue. I would have rather the time be spent giving more details about exactly what the experimental cure was, and what it was expected to do--I'd even have wanted to know more about why the plague had lasted so long--zombies can't live forever, can they? (When the story opens we're at least a decade into it, by my estimation.) But these are nit-picky details.
All in all, I'd give Cataclysm 3.75 stars, mainly for character development and creativity. If you enjoy sci-fi/dystopian/horror(ish) fiction, Cataclysm may well be worth your time.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Cataclysm is the story of Ryan's struggle to survive and find truth in the midst of the very worst the world has to offer… a zombie virus plague. It isn't long before he's bitten trying to protect a friend, and the virus begins to make its way through his body to his brain… things look bleak, but then he runs into a group of fellow survivors, who think they may have a cure.
The author did a great job developing her characters in this story. Even the minor ones felt vivid and real. I think Duck was my favorite, (can't help loving a character who brings the comic relief when it's done well,) but Peyton was excellent, too. I enjoyed how her simple, rather black and white faith, typical of the young teenager she was, was tempered and given nuance by the fact she grew up after the "End of the World." The various characters' Christian faith was woven into the story in a way that felt extremely natural and organic to the story.
And before I forget, I was also thrilled to see Aliyah! Even though she was a very minor character, a positive portrayal of a Muslim character in Christian fiction is so extremely rare she's worth mentioning--sadly, even rarer than a Christian zombie hunter.
Ryan, our protagonist, was a bit harder to warm up to--I didn't enjoy the parts of the story in his POV as much as some of the others. You would think this would be due to his "zombification," but for me it had more to do with how set he was on doing what he thought was right despite practically everyone counseling him otherwise. A little stubbornness is good, but when it's your only notable character trait, it gets old fast. I think he actually became more interesting as the virus progressed… and the way it paralleled losing a loved one to dementia was unexpectedly moving.
My only real complaint about the story was that it was too long. A lot happened, but not enough "different" things happened to justify how much time was spent on Ryan's sickness and his (very repetitive) internal monologue. I would have rather the time be spent giving more details about exactly what the experimental cure was, and what it was expected to do--I'd even have wanted to know more about why the plague had lasted so long--zombies can't live forever, can they? (When the story opens we're at least a decade into it, by my estimation.) But these are nit-picky details.
All in all, I'd give Cataclysm 3.75 stars, mainly for character development and creativity. If you enjoy sci-fi/dystopian/horror(ish) fiction, Cataclysm may well be worth your time.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 23, 2024
This dystopian story grabbed my attention from the very beginning. The pacing is nearly perfect. It's so feel of emotions so bring a box of kleenex.
Best friends Mack and Ryan have found a new community of survivors of the Zombie Apocalypse. Ryan is trying to come to terms with turning into a zombie.
The premise of the book is a refreshing and unlike what I have ever read before. The Pov is from a point of view I have not read yet. It is clever. The writer blends both Christian beliefs and zombies together.
It's fast-paced and action-packed.
Best friends Mack and Ryan have found a new community of survivors of the Zombie Apocalypse. Ryan is trying to come to terms with turning into a zombie.
The premise of the book is a refreshing and unlike what I have ever read before. The Pov is from a point of view I have not read yet. It is clever. The writer blends both Christian beliefs and zombies together.
It's fast-paced and action-packed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2024
This was a pretty good read! I loved the sense of community within the people of the story as well as the wide variety of different people and beliefs represented.
I'm very curious to learn more about the outbreak should the author revisit this setting.
There are many things I'd like to say but I don't want to give away spoilers. Many things happened that I didn't expect and wow!
Cataclysm takes a unique route when it comes to story telling, as far as zombie stories are concerned. I definitely recommend giving it a try to anyone curious!
I'm very curious to learn more about the outbreak should the author revisit this setting.
There are many things I'd like to say but I don't want to give away spoilers. Many things happened that I didn't expect and wow!
Cataclysm takes a unique route when it comes to story telling, as far as zombie stories are concerned. I definitely recommend giving it a try to anyone curious!
May 13, 2025
A unique take on an apocalyptic world. Christians and zombies?? Yes, please!
Nicole brings together an interesting and eclectic cast of characters to paint a picture of a world “after.” Not only after a tragic outbreak, but after heartbreak, loss, abandonment, sorrow, doctors, grocery stores, and more.
She shows both sides of our resistance and acceptance of a higher power in a messy, broken world that, despite being filled with zombies, isn’t too far from our own.
Highly recommend.
Nicole brings together an interesting and eclectic cast of characters to paint a picture of a world “after.” Not only after a tragic outbreak, but after heartbreak, loss, abandonment, sorrow, doctors, grocery stores, and more.
She shows both sides of our resistance and acceptance of a higher power in a messy, broken world that, despite being filled with zombies, isn’t too far from our own.
Highly recommend.
September 12, 2024
I wasn’t sure what to expect from a Christian, zombie future, suspenseful book. This story is well written. The characters were good and I found myself hurt, and worried, and hopeful for them. There is action, suspense, romance, and more. The introduction and building of faith was very well done. It was a wonderful ending as well.
July 28, 2024
I really loved this book, it was a very fast read. Great relatable characters and alot of twists and turns. It was a great take on the genre. Definitely recommended!
July 22, 2024
👏👏 What a great story! I love that this author has mixed zombies and the Christian faith together in a unique way like this.
I was hooked from the start, having a fast paced start to a book like this really helps me to get into it and to stick with it.
Thoroughly enjoyed the perspective this book was told from. I haven’t come across a book that’s done that before, fantastic idea!
Having a unique idea like that makes me enjoy the book a lot more and again makes me want to stick with it because it’s so different to what’s already out there!
This book gave me a really good emotional journey with a bit of the low grade horror and action thrown in and I love how the Gospel was written in there too and the tough questions weren’t shied away from either!
Fantastic way of putting Christian writing out there and tackling difficult issues at the same time. 😍
Great storyline, great character development and great thought provoking messages 💖
Genuinely loved what happened with Ryan’s character…I don’t want to give any spoilers away but I thought it was well written and gave an insight into something I’ve never thought about before because it usually happens so fast in other versions/takes on zombies. It was kind of heart wrenching and heart warming all at the same time 😳
Well worth reading!
This was an ARC that I received and I wasn’t paid to leave this review.
I was hooked from the start, having a fast paced start to a book like this really helps me to get into it and to stick with it.
Thoroughly enjoyed the perspective this book was told from. I haven’t come across a book that’s done that before, fantastic idea!
Having a unique idea like that makes me enjoy the book a lot more and again makes me want to stick with it because it’s so different to what’s already out there!
This book gave me a really good emotional journey with a bit of the low grade horror and action thrown in and I love how the Gospel was written in there too and the tough questions weren’t shied away from either!
Fantastic way of putting Christian writing out there and tackling difficult issues at the same time. 😍
Great storyline, great character development and great thought provoking messages 💖
Genuinely loved what happened with Ryan’s character…I don’t want to give any spoilers away but I thought it was well written and gave an insight into something I’ve never thought about before because it usually happens so fast in other versions/takes on zombies. It was kind of heart wrenching and heart warming all at the same time 😳
Well worth reading!
This was an ARC that I received and I wasn’t paid to leave this review.
August 18, 2025
YA-friendly Christian novel about a young man finding faith, family and love in the zombie apocalypse. Engaging and thoughtful, if a little overwritten and too white-centric.
Full review here.
Full review here.
September 25, 2024
This book was an amazing read. A much different writing style to what I am used to but overall great book! Would highly recommend this book! Thank you for such a great read!
May 27, 2025
A Christian Zombie story... I think author did a great job balancing the religious and spiritual aspects with the plot and characters. It felt very authentic.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews