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Circle Z
Lacey, an ambitious college student, is worried about her future with her girlfriend, wily and unambitious Dylan. As if that's not enough to stress a woman out, suddenly the dead are walking and killing all who cross their path. Lacey and Dylan now have to escape the city, find out what is causing this disturbing anomaly, and hopefully survive to sort out their relationship.
69 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 28, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 19, 2016
I'm a zombie fan. I enjoy reading zombie books, and am the kind of person that has to watch The Walking Dead (even with this season being a little blah). So when I saw this book, lesfic with zombies, I thought, yes please! Unfortunately, this was a no go for me. I have been really enjoying some of LT3 Press' recent novellas, but not this one.
The zombies were slightly different, not as easy to kill as we are used to. They also didn't come to be in the way most people would expect, so this book had some good ideas. The problem was with the characters. While yes the two mains were in their early 20's, they just seemed really immature. Very one-dimensional cardboard cutouts. You had the smart lesbian and the horny lesbian. When you read about a zombie apocalyptic story, you want to be invested in the characters. That's the whole point, you want your favorites to survive because you care about them. But when there is no connecting with the characters, not really caring who lives or dies, what is left?
Unfortunately, I can not recommend this. Not even to the most die hard zombie fans. I will keep reading LT3P's lesfic novellas though, since there are some gems out there for sure.
An ARC was given to me by LT3P, for a honest review.
The zombies were slightly different, not as easy to kill as we are used to. They also didn't come to be in the way most people would expect, so this book had some good ideas. The problem was with the characters. While yes the two mains were in their early 20's, they just seemed really immature. Very one-dimensional cardboard cutouts. You had the smart lesbian and the horny lesbian. When you read about a zombie apocalyptic story, you want to be invested in the characters. That's the whole point, you want your favorites to survive because you care about them. But when there is no connecting with the characters, not really caring who lives or dies, what is left?
Unfortunately, I can not recommend this. Not even to the most die hard zombie fans. I will keep reading LT3P's lesfic novellas though, since there are some gems out there for sure.
An ARC was given to me by LT3P, for a honest review.
December 26, 2016
They are polar opposites. Lacey is ambitious, while Dylan is unambitious, but she does have a strong body and mind. Together they are lovers, filled with the excitement of lust, of connecting with their significant other and now, they are determined to save the world when the zombie apocalypse comes to their small town. But how? Where did the zombies come from and when will they stop their rampage of blood and destruction?
CIRCLE Z proves that Brandon L. Summers can clearly write horror, complete with all of the terror, the blood and the gore. I simply question the timing of Lacey and Dylan’s sexcapades, that happened at every turn. Not sure about you, but if my world were being invaded by zombies, the last thing I would be thinking of or taking time out for is sexual gratification. While the zombie portion seemed to be great reading, the passion and sex between these two girls seems to border on a peep show atmosphere for readers. For me there needs to be polishing done on this one and perhaps a choice made between focusing on the lesbian love affair or the zombie apocalypse.
I received this copy from Brandon L. Summers in exchange for my honest review.
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
CIRCLE Z proves that Brandon L. Summers can clearly write horror, complete with all of the terror, the blood and the gore. I simply question the timing of Lacey and Dylan’s sexcapades, that happened at every turn. Not sure about you, but if my world were being invaded by zombies, the last thing I would be thinking of or taking time out for is sexual gratification. While the zombie portion seemed to be great reading, the passion and sex between these two girls seems to border on a peep show atmosphere for readers. For me there needs to be polishing done on this one and perhaps a choice made between focusing on the lesbian love affair or the zombie apocalypse.
I received this copy from Brandon L. Summers in exchange for my honest review.
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
December 15, 2016
I think maybe I shouldn't read shorter works. Except maybe short stories....maybe. I'm just always left feeling...like what just happened? There was just not much developed in any area with this book.
The characters are pretty one dimensional with odd people thrown in here and there. The plot, while interesting, was also just not developed enough. Then, I felt like this was really a zombie story with a "let's make it gay" twist. I wanted to like it! I mean a pair of lesbians battling zombies? Hell yeah!
But it just didn't do much for me.
I received an ARC from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The characters are pretty one dimensional with odd people thrown in here and there. The plot, while interesting, was also just not developed enough. Then, I felt like this was really a zombie story with a "let's make it gay" twist. I wanted to like it! I mean a pair of lesbians battling zombies? Hell yeah!
But it just didn't do much for me.
I received an ARC from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 6, 2016
An extremely quick read, but mostly because of its simplicity rather than me rushing to see what happened next, which is a shame because it could have been really interesting. I've never read anything about being stuck and fueding with an ex in a zombie apocalypse, toss in them being a lgbt couple and I had to request an arc.
The characters were extremely flat, one dimensional and their relationship remained that way as a result. The conflict was solved much too quickly and through very cliched means.
The characters were extremely flat, one dimensional and their relationship remained that way as a result. The conflict was solved much too quickly and through very cliched means.
January 6, 2017
This is the second story I’ve read by this author, something I didn’t realize upon picking it up to review. I saw lesbian romance and zombies, two things I’m a huge fan of, and said count me in.
While the idea behind the story sounded great, I found the story lacking. I’m not sure if it was due to the length or what, but I didn’t become invested in the plot or the characters. I’m not a huge fan of Young Adult stories and this came across as one. Even though Dylan and Lacey are in their twenties, on page they come across as much younger.
As per the blurb, Dylan is wily and unambitious, she’d much rather laze around gaming than join in real life. But alas, her gaming skills come in handy when life is turned upside down and they have to fight for their lives.
And when Dylan isn’t gaming her mind is on sex, even in the midst of the chaos. While I’m no prude and am rather partial to the F-word, I lost count of how many times the f-bomb and similar words were dropped. Although, some might say the quoted bits of dialogue, exchanged between the heroines, were fitting given the circumstances?
The biggest disappointment for me was the relationship between the main characters. Their bickering came across like a teenage girl and boy. With a few minimal changes this story could easily pass as mainstream.
There were a few errors and some odd punctuation, but I received an ARC so hopefully those will be ironed out. If you love exclamation points, you’re in for a treat!!
So what did I like? Lacey and her uncle. I also appreciated the idea behind the plot and that the author took the time to pen the story. I sincerely hope other readers get more out of than I did.
While the idea behind the story sounded great, I found the story lacking. I’m not sure if it was due to the length or what, but I didn’t become invested in the plot or the characters. I’m not a huge fan of Young Adult stories and this came across as one. Even though Dylan and Lacey are in their twenties, on page they come across as much younger.
As per the blurb, Dylan is wily and unambitious, she’d much rather laze around gaming than join in real life. But alas, her gaming skills come in handy when life is turned upside down and they have to fight for their lives.
And when Dylan isn’t gaming her mind is on sex, even in the midst of the chaos. While I’m no prude and am rather partial to the F-word, I lost count of how many times the f-bomb and similar words were dropped. Although, some might say the quoted bits of dialogue, exchanged between the heroines, were fitting given the circumstances?
“Because I’m dainty like a motherfucker.”
“Saving your life, bitch.”
“Fuck off!” she spat.”
The biggest disappointment for me was the relationship between the main characters. Their bickering came across like a teenage girl and boy. With a few minimal changes this story could easily pass as mainstream.
There were a few errors and some odd punctuation, but I received an ARC so hopefully those will be ironed out. If you love exclamation points, you’re in for a treat!!
So what did I like? Lacey and her uncle. I also appreciated the idea behind the plot and that the author took the time to pen the story. I sincerely hope other readers get more out of than I did.
May 17, 2017
*I received this ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
WTF did I just read- glad it was only 62 pages long because that entire thing was a shambles.
WTF did I just read- glad it was only 62 pages long because that entire thing was a shambles.
September 3, 2022
Contrary to the early 1 and 2-star reviews on Goodreads, I actually enjoyed Circle Z. While I will agree that Lacey and Dylan are something of a clichéd odd couple, I think the tension between them - and the subsequent development of their relationship - is a driving force within the story. Brandon L. Summers writes with a quick, easy-flowing style that lends itself well to the genre, helping to propel the story along.
I thought the story did a good job of demonstrating just how deeply in love these two women are, while inviting us to emphasize with Lacey's uncertainty over her future with an irresponsible brat like Dylan. There's some real conflict there between them, and some legitimate growth for both by the end.
As for the zombie element, it's a lot of bloody, gross-out fun. These are quick, ravenous, mindless monsters who don't fall prey to the easy headshot or violent decapitation. They are a real threat, and the eventual backstory behind their creation is just interesting enough to hold up the story. Of course, both their creation and their ultimate destruction rely on familiar clichés and genre stereotypes, but it's still a fun race to the finish.
I went into Circle Z expecting a quick little b-grade zombie story with a pair of cute lesbians in the lead, and that's precisely what Brandon L. Summers delivered.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
I thought the story did a good job of demonstrating just how deeply in love these two women are, while inviting us to emphasize with Lacey's uncertainty over her future with an irresponsible brat like Dylan. There's some real conflict there between them, and some legitimate growth for both by the end.
As for the zombie element, it's a lot of bloody, gross-out fun. These are quick, ravenous, mindless monsters who don't fall prey to the easy headshot or violent decapitation. They are a real threat, and the eventual backstory behind their creation is just interesting enough to hold up the story. Of course, both their creation and their ultimate destruction rely on familiar clichés and genre stereotypes, but it's still a fun race to the finish.
I went into Circle Z expecting a quick little b-grade zombie story with a pair of cute lesbians in the lead, and that's precisely what Brandon L. Summers delivered.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary ARC of this title from the author in exchange for review consideration. This does not in any way affect the honesty or sincerity of my review.
January 27, 2024
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Lacey's and Dylan's relationship is going through a rough patch. Lacey, the smart lesbian, wants to finish college and get a well paying job. Dylan, the sex-obsessed lesbian, however just wants to work in her dead-end job at a bar, play video games all day and seduce her hot girlfriend. Lacey thinks about breaking up with Dylan as she can't see them working well in the future, but then the zombie apocalypse happens.
I really love zombie stories and I enjoyed that in this story the zombies were incredible hard to kill (nearly impossible to kill) but the rest of the story was just... not interesting.
Dylan and Lacey seemed quite one-dimensional for me and I just couldn't connect with them at all. Dylan just annoyed me at the beginning and even her slight character-development in the end couldn't save her for me. There were also no even remotely interesting side characters. I didn't care for Dylan's and Lacey's relationship problems, which was a huge part in the story, but due to the lack of character development it just fell flat.
I didn't enjoy this book at all. It had an interesting premise, but didn't work out for me. I can't really recommend it.
Lacey's and Dylan's relationship is going through a rough patch. Lacey, the smart lesbian, wants to finish college and get a well paying job. Dylan, the sex-obsessed lesbian, however just wants to work in her dead-end job at a bar, play video games all day and seduce her hot girlfriend. Lacey thinks about breaking up with Dylan as she can't see them working well in the future, but then the zombie apocalypse happens.
I really love zombie stories and I enjoyed that in this story the zombies were incredible hard to kill (nearly impossible to kill) but the rest of the story was just... not interesting.
Dylan and Lacey seemed quite one-dimensional for me and I just couldn't connect with them at all. Dylan just annoyed me at the beginning and even her slight character-development in the end couldn't save her for me. There were also no even remotely interesting side characters. I didn't care for Dylan's and Lacey's relationship problems, which was a huge part in the story, but due to the lack of character development it just fell flat.
I didn't enjoy this book at all. It had an interesting premise, but didn't work out for me. I can't really recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews