More than a few zombie novels have hit the shelves lately, but Walter Greatshell still has the most original take in my humble opinion. XOMBIES: APOCALYPTICON takes up where Xombies: Apocalypse Blues, the first in the series, leaves off. Well, sort of. In the first book, a number of military personnel and their kids escaped and stayed safe from Agent X, the xombie virus, on a submarine. Many are still on the submarine, but they're running out of food. There's a lot of strife on the boat as well with squabbles over who should lead and who shouldn't. A group of kids and a group of "tame" xombies are sent out to find food and explore, but there are still a lot of xombies loose out there and a "new world order" has formed that doesn't want intruders.

Members of the "new world order" have found some interesting ways to stay alive as well, but these I will leave to those who read the book as I don't want to give any of the wonderful details away. Greatshell also takes the story back, giving the viewpoint of a prison and its reaction as the virus first takes effect on the women. And why women first? And how did it start? These questions are also addressed.

Greatshell continues a terrific series with XOMBIES: APOCALYPTICON, a combination of science fiction and horror that will appeal to fans of both genres. While it has action and adventure aplenty, the author delves into broader issues as well such as what men do when no women are around, what to do when you have too many people and not enough food, and is everyone out for him or herself or does the greater good still exist.

Greatshell gives depth to his characters, especially the ones who appeared in the first book, but with such a large cast of characters, it's hard for all of them to be fully developed. this book has a conclusion of sorts, there's definitely room for a lot more story. Greatshell has created another thoroughly engaging tale, and while it can stand on its own, I recommend reading this series in order for best enjoyment. I'm looking forward to reading book 3, Xombies Apocalypso soon.

Book Summary

XOMBIES: APOCALYPTICON is the continuing saga of the USS No-Name, an Ohio-Class submarine converted to a refugee vessel during the worldwide plague of "Agent X"--a disease that changes women into raving, homicidal Typhoid Marys.

Leading the fight to survive are Dr. Alice Langhorne, whose research helped spawn the plague; Commander Harvey Coombs, Navy captain minus a navy; Sal DeLuca, BMX champ facing the ultimate Xtreme sport; and troubled teenager Lulu Pangloss, who died and was born again.

Facing off against them are mutinous shipmates, yoga-crazed prison convicts, hostile mercenaries...and the all-encompassing threat of the Xombies themselves.

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