After the end of the world, the zombies still aren't the scariest monsters. The Wolf hiding among the sheep is now leading the flock on a path to complete obliteration. Death and sacrifice go hand in hand for the survivors of The Nash. Whether fighting each other, their overlords, or the peevies, destruction seems to be around every corner. In Guntersville, Mike Brown and his wife, Lauren, continue to twist the very souls of the deluded congregation that would follow him to hell and back. Their dark secret is becoming an unholy gospel, bent on destroying everything good. Simultaneously, the Island's embattled government fights back against the unprovoked attacks by this messianic cult leader's crazed followers. Meanwhile, on the Viva Ancora, Mo, Smokes, and the remainder of the main protagonists continue their trip toward the sea in search of a possible cure. Finally, they discover the bounty of ammo at Columbus Air Force Base, along with something else that might spell the end for one or more of them. Can Mortimer find a way out of the living hell that was once Nashville? Will evil win control of paradise? Who can stop the sadistic hunger of The Wolf? Where the hell is a Hero when you need one? How dangerous is the peevie that was once warden Sledge? It's the end of the world as we know it. Join us, friend. In places where the zombies bite.... fish bite.... life always bites.... and some people get bit. Welcome to Zombie Crusade. Winner of the 2019 Independent Audiobook Awards (IAA) for Humor Books in the Still Alive Book Zombie Lake Book Zombie Island Book Zombies On A Plane Book Zombie Oasis Book Zombie River Run Book Zombie Paradise Lost Book Zombie Perdition Book Zombie Crusade
I love the Still Alive series because it usually has a perfect balance between gratuitous violence, dark humor, and entertaining storylines. However, Zombie Crusade tips in the scale and has a bit more gratuitous blood and gore than previous books; normally, such a thing isn’t an issue, but in this case, it tended to overtake plot development and most of the humor turned out to be more macabre than the usual dark slapstick. But all that violence and gore is still masterfully written and vividly detailed, so if that’s what you’ve come for, you won’t be disappointed. But for me, I enjoyed the great storylines and humor present in the series, so I was sad that about half the book is dedicated more to slasher-type gore and not so much to plot development.
There are two prominent storylines in Zombie Crusade that carry over from the previous books and while they only crawl forward (due to the superfluous descriptions of violence and gore), they were entertaining enough to keep my attention. Through both the Black Hand arc and the escapades of Brother Mike Brown, we meet a few new characters (both heroes and villains) and also continue to follow the frightening evolution of the naked, blue cannibals as their capabilities continue to develop. However, this book (and the last one as well) feel more like a spin-off series than true sequels to the first six books. Though they aren’t bad by any measure, I do patiently (ok, impatiently) await the return to Mo’s journals and the plot involving the group I see as the primary protagonists of Still Alive.
My favorite part of Zombie Crusade wasn’t a part of the actual book, but rather, the bonus short story included at the end. It’s a prequel story about Smokes and what transpired between the advent of the zombie plague and the first meeting between Smokes and Mo. It was fun and reminiscent of the earlier books, and definitely worth reading.
For the audiobook, Salzman continues to be an exceptional narrator for the Still Alive series, but much of Zombie Crusade’s third-person point of view doesn’t give him much of a chance to shine. I think his best work is in the unique voices of the primary group’s characters, so a significant amount of his talent goes unnoticed in this book. However, Salzman does get a chance to rock out some awesome narration in the short story at the end.
Nashville, or The Nash as it's called currently, is a real happening town! The slaves are out of work and getting restless. I'm sure Easy will straighten things out when he gets there. Back home on the island, the False Man of God, Brother Mike Brown has his flock eating out of his hand - figuratively and literally. They're lining up around the block for his Sheeple Stew! He's blaming the disappearance of their children on Mayor Randy Collins and the police. And they believe him! How can they be so stupid? Something about their upbringing, I reckon! My generation's alright. We had Lawn Darts and skateboards to thin out the stupid and the weak. We also have a healthy dose of skepticism, but I digress! The blunatics seem to be learning some new tricks, and it ain't great for humanity, what's left of it. All the characters I know and love are here, and a couple I would love to see slowly simmered in industrial grade vinegar for a couple days. The storyline is advancing, but the blood, guts and gore are ever present. As is the thirst for bloody parts ripped from the bone, etc. The storytelling is as great as usual and the read is great!
Everyone is back and there are a bunch of new characters and bunch of characters are now gone. But Mo and his buddies are still cruising on the boat looking for a cure to this problem. While his Cuz, Benji, and the rest are fighting on many fronts, the ones trying to take their island and the crazy church people. Not to mention everyone is fighting against the peeves.
If you think this will be just like his other books same story different day, that is not how Javan works. His books are action packed with twist and turn that will make you feel like your on a roller coaster, not to mention his way with all the blood and gore scenes that will leave your mind blown. The narrator S W Salzman does all the voices for the audio and is so good at it that you will lose yourself in the story and it will feel as though you are really there with everyone. This book moves fast so don't get left behind, but it will still be here if you need to catch up from the beginning. Oh, I also hear he is working hard on book nine, and I can't wait.
One thing I can say for sure: When I start reading a book in the Still Alive series, I know there is going to be plenty of blood, death and gore! Javan Bonds has created a set of characters that I have come to know and love and I hope he doesn't kill them all off anytime soon!
There is plenty of gratuitous violence and death, both of the zombie and human variety. The book follows several ongoing story arcs and the pace moves along quickly. This book focuses more on the secondary stories and not so much on Mo, Smokes and the gang. But, my favorite characters do show up along the way and I know that subsequent books will have more of their story.
The book still has Mr. Bonds' trademark humor and descriptive details of blood and gore. Nobody can write a zombie death scene like he does! I look forward to continuing this series, knowing that there will be plenty of blunatics and death in store!
Another book full of action that won't disappoint! I stumbled upon this series and decided to listen to the first book because I was in a reading slump. I had never read any zombie books, and I figured it'd be terrible and I'd get right back to my psychological thrillers...boy was I wrong! Javan Bonds mixes zombies with the right amount of gore and comedy, and I was instantly hooked on Mo and the gang. Zombie Crusade was no different, I enjoyed reading and then listening to every bit of it, and now I'm going to impatiently wait for book 9. If you like zombies, and even if you don't, pick up this series...it's great!
I've come to expect a certain level of action, death, blood, guts and gore in the apocalypse books I read and with such and awesome writer book 8 does not disappoint. The hits keep coming literally and figuratively in this hilarious and fast paced look at the zombie apocalypse. Due to the amazing writing I love the characters, they've come to life for me and I've grow to love some and hate others lol. Can't wait for the next in this roller coaster ride of hilarity through the end of the world, buy it you'll love it
So the best thing about this one is that the character named after me gets to die….. I mean she had it coming. Second best part is the bonus material about Smokes at the end! Not as much plot and story line for Mo and the rest of the crew as this one is more of a tribute to all of Javans fans who wanted to die in one of his books. So lots of detailed death descriptions! Salzman does and amazing job narrating. He is these characters!
Another great book in this comedic zompoc series! Although I enjoyed it, it was missing the comedy that I love so much in this series. Some reviews I saw complained about the excessive violence. It's a zombie apocalypse! What did you expect? LOL I'm looking forward to the next book. I just hope the comedy comes back into the series.
Javan Bonds has such a warped and wonderful imagination! From one splattingly city scene to the next, he has turned me off if Oreos for the foreseeable future. You have to read the series to understand... Lol. His creation is funny and horrific at the same time...can't wait for the next book.
I love the narrator for these books he really brings the characters to life. Javan's descriptive writing is so good that if it was a movie you would be turning away from the screen in places! the story continues to build around cannibals and power struggles but I have a feeling this book is setting the scene for what is to come next! I can't wait.
No nobody writes them like Javan! From chapter to chapter, he can make you laugh, cringe, and maybe throw up in your mouth as you read. He is every bit as good in his storytelling here in book 8, as he was in book 1. Can't wait for book 9!
Javan has such a unique way of writing. Very intense- wrapped in his entertaining sense of humour. His books are descriptive so not for everyone. For the rest of us, he has quite the following. He is very personable and interacts with his readers. Waiting for the next book with anticipation.
This one certainly didn’t me down! This story is flowing right along…I can’t wait to find out what’s going on with the group, what’s going down with Brother Mike. Keep the story coming Javan!