Charlie Dead and the So-Called Zombie Apocalypse

Charlie Dead #1

by Geoff Camphire

Zombies, zombies, zombies! How does it feel to be one of the walking dead? Hunted? Not free? Never allowed to live the life you choose? Charlie Dunlap, newly infected with the zombie virus, fears he is about to find out. Charlie doesn’t want to become one of the mindless corpses at Norwood High School, where his few friends include the zombified Emma Fletcher. In this post-apocalyptic Armageddon, undead hordes are part of the horror of daily life. Just as Charlie is losing hope, though, a mysterious government agent appears at the door, raising questions about the boy’s late mother. How was the vanished scientist connected to the origin of the virus? Why was this terrible plague unleashed on the world? And who is now targeting zombies for persecution? Charlie, recruited to aid in the investigation, faces each new adventure with a dose of gallows humor and fading hope for a cure. But Charlie knows there’s more than his own fate on the line. At stake is the power to control the whole human race. Will Charlie survive? Who can he trust? In a world at war with the living dead, it’s not always easy to tell who the real monsters are. From author Geoff Camphire comes this high-flying, pulse-pounding zombie novel series, a new kind of dystopian science fiction. “CHARLIE DEAD and the So-Called Zombie Apocalypse” is Book 1 of the acclaimed CHARLIE DEAD series. PRAISE FOR ‘CHARLIE DEAD’: ‘I only put it down, temporarily, when absolutely forced to. I’m looking forward to the next installments!’ - Scott Leonard ‘A great read! Geoff Camphire puts a unique spin on the genre with fascinating characters - both of the living and zombie kind. He’s a great storyteller with writing and a plot that keeps you hooked.’ - Mary Tamberrino ‘I am fifteen. I really liked the books. I am ruthless when it comes to reviewing books and movies on my favorite subject. This more than held my interest, and that is no easy feat… I will pass the word on to my friends.’ - L. Hartley ‘In the first of Geoff Camphire’s CHARLIE DEAD young-adult zombie-lit series, life returns to a new kind of normal in a post-apocalyptic world… Camphire’s writing is crisp, and the plot and pacing are fresh and focused… I’m hungry for more!’ - Kevin S. ‘Irresistible. The story flows, the characters are vibrant, and the prose is witty!’ - Sarah ‘Never miss a ‘Walking Dead’ show? Here is the book to tide you over during those long breaks. Camphire pulls you in like the master of ghoul Stephen King and never lets you go.’ - Paula Kay ‘Light-hearted and creepy all at the same time, CHARLIE DEAD weaves through a world where zombies are a way of life, for the living and the non-living. Forget prom dates and pimples, Charlie and his friends have a zombie apocalypse to grow into.’ - Michael T. Gabriele ‘It’s as wonderfully fresh and different from any zombie literature as ‘Shaun of the Dead’ is from any zombie film!’ - T. Riordan ‘Attention YA Geoff Camphire has written a YA-Lit book with chops. The main character, Charlie, is nicely ‘fleshed out’ as a teen with both smarts and doubts... reflective, yet quick-acting when needed. The overall scenario in which the teen finds himself is unenviable - infected with a zombie virus, and unsure of who his true allies are. The portrayals of friendships are well-crafted, and the adventures well-paced.

Genres: Zombies, Young Adult

277 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 29, 2014

Reviews

[Shaughnarioux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Geoff Camphire has written a YA-Lit book with chops. The main character, Charlie, is nicely "fleshed out" as a teen with both smarts and doubts...reflective, yet quick-acting when needed. The overall scenario in which the teen finds himself is unenviable--infected with a zombie virus, and unsure of who his true allies are. The portrayals of friendships are well-crafted, and the adventures well-paced. Along side the adventures, Camphire interweaves some political and cultural themes within this new zombie-world, ranging from the subtle, to the profound to the laugh-out-loud-funny. I can see this being both a great book-discussion book, or a book to generate good discussion in an ethics class. A quick but engaging read that had me reaching for the next in the Charlie-dead series.

[Jay Camphire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Artfully written. A complex story clearly told. Engaging characters. I literally had a hard time putting this down. Very impressive for the author's first fictional series.

[♥ Joy Joy ♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe it's because I accidentally read the 2nd book first (and I've never been a fan of introducing prequels after the story has already been set), but I found that this wasn't as good as I was expecting it to be when I started it.

It did provide background answers to questions I had due to skipping ahead, but overall I found the story dragged quite a bit. A bit more than halfway through the book, it did begin to pick up and obviously the momentum continued on in the 2nd book. (Which I hope *fingers crossed* bodes well for the 3rd book in the series)

[Lucille Bransfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unique look at zombies

This is a very different look at a zombie apocalypse. It’s young adult, so not too violent, and no cursing. If you want to read what the zombies feel about the apocalypse, you will enjoy this series. Definitely open ended, so we shall see what is in store for Charlie Dead.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mixed reviews

My daughter (18) read the story and she said it's okay.
I liked the story. We can agree that this story would be okay for a teen. we both agreed the story could use more fleshing out in some part. Esp in the school parts.

[Chrystal Roe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this!

This book is so exciting and so different to all of the other zombie books I've read. The characters are fascinating. This book is A great adventure.I can't wait to start the next one.

[Daniel Erickson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Young adult trash

Have you ever watched a Pokemon episode and wondered what's wrong with all the adults around here? Expect to wonder that over and over while reading this book. The premise is completely unbelievable.

[Amy Higdon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a big horror fan. Ghosts, zombies, monsters…let me at 'em! So when 'Charlie Dead & the So-Called Zombie Apocalypse' showed up in the Kindle Unlimited section, it's safe to say that I was intrigued. & do you know what? This novel was a surprise! It was original, different & quirky.

Whilst a zombie apocalypse isn't exactly a new premise, the idea of zombies still living amongst the living & having rights was. Coupled with the action-packed adventure storyline, it made for a mostly fast-paced & interesting read. However, it also felt like it was very much aimed at a younger audience & because of that, which is no fault of the author (at all!), I struggled to connect with the characters & the writing. For that reason, I did find it quite a slog at times.

All in all, a compelling concept & read (for the most part), but one that's definitely for a younger audience.

3.5 stars out of 5!

[Jo Farrar · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Young Adult) Based in a post-apocalyptic world where Zombies and uninfected people are living side by side, but who is responsible for the zombie plague? This is the first of Charlie's adventures to find out.