I forget how I stumbled across this book, but I’m pretty sure I came across it about six or seven years ago.
Since then I’ve watched it in various places and hoped for a price drop so I could pounce and give it a chance.
Often times, those books that I chase for a long time can be a bit of a let down.
Is this one?
Is it far better than I could have hoped and dreamed?
Let’s dive in together and find out!
This is your blood soaked and totally official ***SPOILER ALERT***
Jim Pike, an Army Veteran, was a huge Star Trek fan until he lost his faith in humanity after of two tours of duty in Afghanistan.
Now, stuck at his job as a glorified bellboy in the Botany Bay hotel in Houston, his sister is coming to town for one of the biggest Trek conventions in the country.
But as the convention kicks off, people start getting all bitey and TV and cell signals start going all haywire.
Can Jim survive a weekend filled with zombies and nerds?
I think my love of Zombies has long been established, gang, as has my love of Trekage.
But do these particular strains of chocolate and peanut butter mix?
Even though Enterprise tackled that question for us like 20 years ago in the Season 3 episode Impulse, this book reanswers if from a new angle, and in both cases it turns out the definitive answer is fuck yes!
In fact, they blend together far better than I would think they should.
The love of Trek/Sci-Fi is deep seeded and obvious throughout, particularly in the chapter titles.
And the horror is pretty spot on as well, with a great explanation that also veers into Sci-Fi and kind of makes the meeting of the two even smoother.
But maybe more importantly, not once did I get the feeling that this was mocking either subject.
There are a lot of cosplayers dedicated to their characters, but I never got the feeling that the authors were taking a “look at these fuckin’ losers playing their baby space games. Hahaha, what dorks.” stance.
The writing feels like it’s coming from the perspective of life-long observers/partakers of the dweebitude.
The characters feel appropriately grounded, not like “well, ack-shull-uhlley” caricatures.
To start wrapping up, what this reminds me of the most is a more serious and “real world” version of the Dan Shamble story, Role Model, that we covered in Series 5 of The Nerd Blitz Book Club or a less piss taking version of Fanboys.
I enjoyed the references and respect show to Trek and, surprisely, to Star Wars as well.
The story is well thoughtout and written.
I’ve been stalking this book online for years and I’m glad to find that it’s such a fun read that honors it’s inspirations well.
After years of reading so many shitty zombie/horror novels and short stories, I don’t think it could have turned out much better than this.
If you dig Zombies and Trek, you are sure to love this book, gang.
And it is perfectly fitting for B-Movie March!
Let us know what you think of this review in the comments below, share this post around the net with the Hashtag #TNBBookReview, or hit up our LinkTree to find where else to connect with us.
Check out books, with our original short story collection, The Camping Trip And Other Stories, or our non-fiction book, Doomed: The Collected Essays And Reviews Volume 1!
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And finally, given the state of the world, do what you can to leave it a little bit better than you found it.
As difficult as that may be currently, it can have an impact far greater than you know.
Until next time, stay safe out there, gang.
