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A Rational Zombie
The world ended.
A zombie apocalypse broke out.
The main character is already dead.
By the author of The Blue Mage Raised by Dragons and The Godking's Legacy. Please note that this is not a comedic story.
Content Warning: Profanity, Cannibalism (Is it still cannibalism if it's a zombie eating a human?), Gore (Just a little, it comes with the cannibalism)
A zombie apocalypse broke out.
The main character is already dead.
By the author of The Blue Mage Raised by Dragons and The Godking's Legacy. Please note that this is not a comedic story.
Content Warning: Profanity, Cannibalism (Is it still cannibalism if it's a zombie eating a human?), Gore (Just a little, it comes with the cannibalism)
347 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 5, 2020
29 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 12, 2023
Starting from the title this went wrong for me. The premise is that a zombie starts from knowing nothing about anything, except for all the stuff it does know and conveniently remembers when plot relevant. I didn't know what to expect from the title. Was it going to be rationalist fiction or simply a zombie that maintained some higher level functions? I don't know what it was intended, but it's definitely the latter and much more empiricism than rationalism. Most of the time I felt like I was reading about a biological AI than a zombie. However, the zombie does experience emotions.
I can only assume that the initial draw was the progression-like acquirement of basic knowledge that was continually built upon which then led to steady improvement of skills. The zombie starts as intelligent though ignorant, so it's a rather odd mismatch that leads to all sorts of misunderstandings. This results in an overall utilitarian approach to what it does. That is to say that it does whatever it believes to be efficient and effective without the slightest regard to morality or ethics. I don't know if it was intended to be an utility monster, but that's close enough to what it is in practice.
I've read a fair bit of zombie fiction, mostly short fiction, and quite a few about have been from the zombie's perspective. One in particular was about zombies that formed their own community and could communicate among themselves. I'd have to count this among the worst of zombie fiction I've finished. The reasons for that are the dismal quality of its prose, the choice of having every perspective be first person stream of consciousness, it was boring and repetitive, and nothing about it interested me.
I'm not usually one to say much about prose unless it's an outlier in quality to me. As long as it meets a certain subjective threshold I usually won't have any complaints. This doesn't get anywhere near that threshold. Usually I when I read something that doesn't reach the threshold it's because it's self-published and without an editor. This was originally published on RoyalRoad, a webnovel site that focuses on progression fiction. (Un?)fortunately I'm not one who can appreciate something when I believe it to be terribly written. I don't personally think my threshold is that high, but I could be wrong.
The problem with the perspective is mostly one of personal annoyance. When there are several perspectives that are all "I" it may not be immediately obvious who it's about, especially when it's a new character that has been just added in, so I would've liked to have seen a chapter heading with the viewpoint character's name. Most of the human perspectives weren't differentiated enough for my preference. I doubt this was a stylistic choice to show that the humans were all the same while the zombie was the one individual.
The entirety of the book is the zombie going from location to location killing all the prey (humans). Fortunately for the zombie, the humans have bows at most and mostly improvised melee weapons to fend for themselves. They're also usually incredibly dumb and irrational. As in how-can-you-possibly-be-this-idiotic horror movie levels. It's much more often that the zombie wins because of happenstance, incompetence, and disbelief than skill on their part. Yes, how this is all done changes over time to be more and more elaborate, which I have issues with as well on a practical basis, but it's all really the same.
This is a clearly meant to be a horror novel and there are some moments that would seem to be gross out scenes, but their matter-of-fact and straightforward presentation saps them of any impact. Maybe it's me, but when the characters are dispassionate about everything it's difficult to feel much about what they're doing. Nothing else that it was supposed to be about interested me either. Maybe it was meant to some have greater depth, but if it did, I didn't notice it. There are a few offhand comments that make statements, but that's all they were. I read what others have written and I still don't specifically understand what they enjoyed about it. Novelty? Not to me. An amoral utilitarian protagonist? Meh. Basic and limited progression as it were? Yawn. Wish fulfillment and power fantasy? Uh, was it though? I don't so. Honestly, I don't know what's meant to be interesting about it.
I didn't hate this, it didn't offend me, and I otherwise don't have any strong feelings about it, not even disappointment. Really, it's amazing how apathetic I feel about it. I've written a decent amount, though my feelings can be summed up as, "Huh." It wasn't even a waste of time because it was sufficiently informative in how and why I don't like certain types of books. The rating is because I would never personally recommend reading this and that it's just nothing to me. Maybe that's too harsh for its circumstances, but I don't believe in judging it differently than I would otherwise simply because it wasn't traditionally published. So, yeah, enjoy what you will or won't either way.
I can only assume that the initial draw was the progression-like acquirement of basic knowledge that was continually built upon which then led to steady improvement of skills. The zombie starts as intelligent though ignorant, so it's a rather odd mismatch that leads to all sorts of misunderstandings. This results in an overall utilitarian approach to what it does. That is to say that it does whatever it believes to be efficient and effective without the slightest regard to morality or ethics. I don't know if it was intended to be an utility monster, but that's close enough to what it is in practice.
I've read a fair bit of zombie fiction, mostly short fiction, and quite a few about have been from the zombie's perspective. One in particular was about zombies that formed their own community and could communicate among themselves. I'd have to count this among the worst of zombie fiction I've finished. The reasons for that are the dismal quality of its prose, the choice of having every perspective be first person stream of consciousness, it was boring and repetitive, and nothing about it interested me.
I'm not usually one to say much about prose unless it's an outlier in quality to me. As long as it meets a certain subjective threshold I usually won't have any complaints. This doesn't get anywhere near that threshold. Usually I when I read something that doesn't reach the threshold it's because it's self-published and without an editor. This was originally published on RoyalRoad, a webnovel site that focuses on progression fiction. (Un?)fortunately I'm not one who can appreciate something when I believe it to be terribly written. I don't personally think my threshold is that high, but I could be wrong.
The problem with the perspective is mostly one of personal annoyance. When there are several perspectives that are all "I" it may not be immediately obvious who it's about, especially when it's a new character that has been just added in, so I would've liked to have seen a chapter heading with the viewpoint character's name. Most of the human perspectives weren't differentiated enough for my preference. I doubt this was a stylistic choice to show that the humans were all the same while the zombie was the one individual.
The entirety of the book is the zombie going from location to location killing all the prey (humans). Fortunately for the zombie, the humans have bows at most and mostly improvised melee weapons to fend for themselves. They're also usually incredibly dumb and irrational. As in how-can-you-possibly-be-this-idiotic horror movie levels. It's much more often that the zombie wins because of happenstance, incompetence, and disbelief than skill on their part. Yes, how this is all done changes over time to be more and more elaborate, which I have issues with as well on a practical basis, but it's all really the same.
This is a clearly meant to be a horror novel and there are some moments that would seem to be gross out scenes, but their matter-of-fact and straightforward presentation saps them of any impact. Maybe it's me, but when the characters are dispassionate about everything it's difficult to feel much about what they're doing. Nothing else that it was supposed to be about interested me either. Maybe it was meant to some have greater depth, but if it did, I didn't notice it. There are a few offhand comments that make statements, but that's all they were. I read what others have written and I still don't specifically understand what they enjoyed about it. Novelty? Not to me. An amoral utilitarian protagonist? Meh. Basic and limited progression as it were? Yawn. Wish fulfillment and power fantasy? Uh, was it though? I don't so. Honestly, I don't know what's meant to be interesting about it.
I didn't hate this, it didn't offend me, and I otherwise don't have any strong feelings about it, not even disappointment. Really, it's amazing how apathetic I feel about it. I've written a decent amount, though my feelings can be summed up as, "Huh." It wasn't even a waste of time because it was sufficiently informative in how and why I don't like certain types of books. The rating is because I would never personally recommend reading this and that it's just nothing to me. Maybe that's too harsh for its circumstances, but I don't believe in judging it differently than I would otherwise simply because it wasn't traditionally published. So, yeah, enjoy what you will or won't either way.
May 14, 2020
A Rational Zombie is one of those rare books that makes you root for a protagonist that is, by all objective standards, a truly horrible person. For one thing, the story starts of with our MC eating a man alive as he begs god to save him. The thing is, the does such an excellent job of portraying the MC's state of mind as they are fighting with the disease that is turning their own body against them that we can't help but sympathize with them. I mean, what would you do if you woke up one day to find yourself a slave to this hunger that you don't fully understand, with no memories of your past, but with the knowledge that if you don't eat you will LITERALLY become so dumb you will just lay down to die. The experience of reading this book was a delightful contrast, as it gave me a character that I loved to root for as they overcame every obstacle with sheer wit and ingenuity, but also horrible sense of guilt as I am in essence cheering for someone who is doing some downright TERRIBLE things. I loved it, and I hope this book gets a sequel.
October 2, 2020
I read this book because I liked the author's other novels. Sadly there is no magic or anything fantastical in this. Just a zombie novel, a smart zombie novel mind you, but still a zombie novel all the same.
I never watched zombie movies or TV shows, I didn't read books that marketed themselves as "a zombie novel". I don't find the walking dead all that appealing, I mean zombies are discount vampires that feed on meat, and can't be subtle about it to save their life.
I don't know if I could finish this book. The writing is okay and there is a story, but there is nothing fantastical. It's just people trying to survive, and something trying to survive on those people. If it was told in the author's comedic style I probably could have handled it, but it's serious. I mean there are slight jokes, but this wasn't written as comedy.
After reading half of this book I know for sure that zombies are not for me (unless it's a magical zombie). I will skim through the rest of this book to see how it ends.
I will give this two stars. Even though I didn't read every single word, what I read at 50% lets me know I would have given this a two (so I'm not recommended others like it in the future).
I "finished" it. I ended up reading a lot more than I intended. It was funny that a zombie wanted to find God, and had life questions.
Also
2/5 Stars
I never watched zombie movies or TV shows, I didn't read books that marketed themselves as "a zombie novel". I don't find the walking dead all that appealing, I mean zombies are discount vampires that feed on meat, and can't be subtle about it to save their life.
I don't know if I could finish this book. The writing is okay and there is a story, but there is nothing fantastical. It's just people trying to survive, and something trying to survive on those people. If it was told in the author's comedic style I probably could have handled it, but it's serious. I mean there are slight jokes, but this wasn't written as comedy.
After reading half of this book I know for sure that zombies are not for me (unless it's a magical zombie). I will skim through the rest of this book to see how it ends.
I will give this two stars. Even though I didn't read every single word, what I read at 50% lets me know I would have given this a two (so I'm not recommended others like it in the future).
I "finished" it. I ended up reading a lot more than I intended. It was funny that a zombie wanted to find God, and had life questions.
Also
2/5 Stars
August 15, 2020
Highly entertaining. Gripping, yet gruesome.
I agree with the other reviewer who mentioned they ended up somehow cheering for the main character, a totally amoral monster in virtually every definition of the word. Virlyce doesn't shy away from grisly description, though it never crossed the line into unnecessarily gory or trashy.
Actually that was a highlight for me, that the descriptions of violence and, yes, cannibalism were not trashy or cringe-ly tryhard, they were straightforward and I guess as tasteful as it can be. No sexual violence, especially not as an overused trope, which I appreciated.
If you have a somewhat dark sense of humor, some of the things the main character thinks can get pretty hilarious, if unintentionally -- the book itself is definitely not intended to be humor.
There are also points woven in that hint at what I assume are philosophical references that flew over my head, such as: .
This was a unique take on a genre I quite like, and thoroughly enjoyed the entire thing. If you enjoy rational!fic or other fiction where characters at least attempt to think things through, consider picking this hidden gem up.
Will be picking up Blue Mage by Virlyce next!
I agree with the other reviewer who mentioned they ended up somehow cheering for the main character, a totally amoral monster in virtually every definition of the word. Virlyce doesn't shy away from grisly description, though it never crossed the line into unnecessarily gory or trashy.
Actually that was a highlight for me, that the descriptions of violence and, yes, cannibalism were not trashy or cringe-ly tryhard, they were straightforward and I guess as tasteful as it can be. No sexual violence, especially not as an overused trope, which I appreciated.
If you have a somewhat dark sense of humor, some of the things the main character thinks can get pretty hilarious, if unintentionally -- the book itself is definitely not intended to be humor.
There are also points woven in that hint at what I assume are philosophical references that flew over my head, such as: .
This was a unique take on a genre I quite like, and thoroughly enjoyed the entire thing. If you enjoy rational!fic or other fiction where characters at least attempt to think things through, consider picking this hidden gem up.
Will be picking up Blue Mage by Virlyce next!
July 5, 2020
This was a lot of fun. I thoroughly enjoyed the analytical and amoral views of the zombie . Some of the humans that encountered the zombie died for being stupid, sometimes for being afraid, but a good chunk was luck or the intelligence of the zombie itself. So overall I yelled at the humans who were dying much less than in your typical zombie book.
And I do believe that it's due to Virlyce's skill as a writer that I would have been satisfied if the humans or the zombie had won at the end of the book. Victory really was up for grabs.
And I do believe that it's due to Virlyce's skill as a writer that I would have been satisfied if the humans or the zombie had won at the end of the book. Victory really was up for grabs.
December 4, 2020
Morbid but crazy
Have to say spent my day reading this and have to say it was a Rollercoaster, gorey yes, morbid yes but it was a interesting take on the other side of the fence if you will. For what it was the ending was good if the author wasn't planning a next book.if there were thoughts of having a trilogy before then there were options the story could have taken but again. I enjoyed the ride and if there is a new book following this one ill be sure to pick it up.
Have to say spent my day reading this and have to say it was a Rollercoaster, gorey yes, morbid yes but it was a interesting take on the other side of the fence if you will. For what it was the ending was good if the author wasn't planning a next book.if there were thoughts of having a trilogy before then there were options the story could have taken but again. I enjoyed the ride and if there is a new book following this one ill be sure to pick it up.
January 15, 2021
I have listened to the audiobooks, and have loved the combination of Virlyce, and Mare Trevathan - this combination does not hit my loves for Lucia (God king) or have whimsy's like Blue Mage, but the rare gore humor is there. It's a nice for a diy standing on it's own, and for myself has change the idea of zombies.
June 12, 2024
A good zombie book
It supriesde me alot. Not your typical zombie themed book. I do t want to spoil it for anyone but the ending will surprise you. And I love a logical zombie! Lol. I hope there is a sequel, I would love to know what ends up happening to.... you'll have to read it to find out 😉
It supriesde me alot. Not your typical zombie themed book. I do t want to spoil it for anyone but the ending will surprise you. And I love a logical zombie! Lol. I hope there is a sequel, I would love to know what ends up happening to.... you'll have to read it to find out 😉
July 14, 2020
Unique and disturbing.
This book was fairly well written and very unique. It is quite grotesque and brutal. If you are looking for something different and you enjoy zombie stories, read this!
This book was fairly well written and very unique. It is quite grotesque and brutal. If you are looking for something different and you enjoy zombie stories, read this!
May 13, 2020
4.25☆
Read
July 7, 2020Dnf
August 4, 2020
Awesome I want more books!!
August 19, 2020
I want that sequel really bad.
I genuinely enjoyed the characters in this. I would really like to see where this goes. It is worth the time and money to read without a doubt.
I genuinely enjoyed the characters in this. I would really like to see where this goes. It is worth the time and money to read without a doubt.
October 23, 2020
3.5 Stars
March 25, 2021
An interesting story with a bittersweet/sad open ending. It's about a zombie who is essentially a logic driven person who lost her memories and is forced to eats people to maintain reason.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2021
4.5 Stars.
August 26, 2022
There's some pretty egregious run-ins with the gambler's and sunk cost fallacies
June 22, 2023
I agree with those who say the ending seemed rushed. That being said, this was the most original Zombie book I've read in a long time. Big thumbs up.
May 6, 2021
Best new zombie book I've read in years, especially impressive considering it is self-published. Not quite on the level of masterpieces like The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead and The Return Man but close enough. Also great cover which got me hooked to begin with.
The protagonist is more or less a zombie superhero (or supervillain, depends on the point of view) that takes a strictly rational approach to any given situation and I enjoyed its ruthlessly logical adventures quite a bit. Its quest to find God (and consume their brains if possible) is a really refreshing take on the whole undead world situation so if you (like me) got tired of zombie fiction's tropes some time ago this book might be the one to breathe new life into your erstwhile passion. Yes, it's this good.
I'll grab a sequel right away if it's ever released. Zombie fiction got really stale in recent years and books of this quality are rare treats and shouldn't be missed by any aficionado of shambling corpses.
The protagonist is more or less a zombie superhero (or supervillain, depends on the point of view) that takes a strictly rational approach to any given situation and I enjoyed its ruthlessly logical adventures quite a bit. Its quest to find God (and consume their brains if possible) is a really refreshing take on the whole undead world situation so if you (like me) got tired of zombie fiction's tropes some time ago this book might be the one to breathe new life into your erstwhile passion. Yes, it's this good.
I'll grab a sequel right away if it's ever released. Zombie fiction got really stale in recent years and books of this quality are rare treats and shouldn't be missed by any aficionado of shambling corpses.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews