"Z14: Zombie Rules" by David Achord is much improved from the 1st book in the series. There is a lot more action taking place - mostly interaction with living survivors vs.battles with zombies. The book takes on more of a survivalist format and concentrates too much on preparing for the future and rebuilding society. It seems like every group Zach comes in contact with wants to rule the world. Zach also discovers something very special about these zombies in the last few months - his hypothesis is not proven within this story and will, perhaps, be one of the topics in the next installment.

I do understand that this is a story within the dystopian genre and slanted more toward a younger audience, but the sex - visual descriptions and the many suggestive thoughts was a little too much - even for me!. At the end, I thought the author painted Zach as more ruthless and cold blooded compared to the 1st installment...he's still a know it all who has suddenly evolved into a highly skilled planner, strategist and killer within a year. Thank goodness he understood a few Swahili phrases or he and Terry would have been easily killed by one of the groups they confronted! Wow!

What happened to just living for the day...battling zombies and trying to outrun and survive the enemy's relentless pursuit? How is it that the area where Zach's farm is located is zombie-free without somebody standing watch 24 hours a day? Not here!

Readers also get an opportunity to learn more about how the apocalypse has affected other parts of the U.S., particularly, the feedback from soldiers at Ft. Campbell, KY and via Fred's journey to L.A. "Z14: Zombie Rules" is still a real page turner, engaging, emotional and takes readers on a roller coaster ride through the apocalypse. All the open-ending questions I had after completing the first book were answered here, the ending is also cut and dry and doesn't leave readers hanging from the edge of a cliff to see what happens next. I have started the 3rd book in the series and see it as a continuation - I wonder if I'll learn more about Ft. Campbell, Major Sarah and Capt. Steen?

I do recommend this book, but suggest you read book 1 first and then immediately follow with this one. There is food for thought, times for laughter, and times for sorrow. I'm hoping that book 3 is as good as this one.

John Podlaski, author
Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel ( )