My normal opinion of reality TV is that all those involved in a reality show should be shot out of cannons or set on fire. Or at least attacked by brain-eating zombies. But in the reality show 'Zombie Death Extreme' the contestants at least are attacked by zombies as a normal thing, it's part of the show. Here's the show's promo.
And here's the web site: Zombie Death Extreme Official Site
The only problem with this great show is that it's fictional. I mean, even more than other reality TV shows. It's a plot device in the novel Neeta Lyffe, Zombie Exterminator by Karina Fabian. Neeta Lyffe, a licensed zombie exterminator, gets sued when a zombie she sets on fire stumbles on to a lawyer's porch. Although Neeta saved the lawyer's life the fire does some property damage and Neeta's forced to go to the extreme of hosting a reality TV show about zombie extermination to pay the bills.
The novel, which I read in its very reasonably priced Kindle edition, was not only amusing and entertaining, but one that is worth re-reading. And there is a sequel in the works-- there is an interview with Karina Fabian at 'Under the Hat', where you can learn more.
For those concerned about the content of their fiction, Neeta Lyffe lacks explicit sex, bad language other than a couple of stray f-bombs, and anti-Christian/anti-Catholic rants. All these things may have a bit to do with the fact that the author is a Christian (Catholic variety) who lives her faith enough to have written a book on it. Neeta Lyffe is not overtly 'Christian fiction', there are no appeals to accept Christ or Bible prophecy sermons which foreshadow the next action in the story. (That's too bad, I kind of like it, it pisses all the right people off. Or should that be 'all the LEFT people'?)
My enjoyment of Neeta Lyffe, Zombie Exterminator has lead me to one of my worst book purchases ever--- 'Battle of the Network Zombies' by Mark Henry. I thought it would be OK--- there was a quote from Patricia Briggs on the cover. But 'Network Zombies' features a main character who is enough of a KKK-like hater to be musing about her hate-objects when it is not relevant to the scene at hand. Since her hate-objects are not black people or Jews, but Catholics, the book managed to get published anyway. But if scene of anti-Catholic hate isn't enough to carry a whole book for you, avoid this one. The smut scenes--- excuse me, sex scenes--- are just plain vile and nasty, as compared with the more high-minded smut scenes in the Southern Vampire series by Charlaine Harris.
The plot, to the extent 'Battle of the Network Zombies' has one, is as tired as an ageing zombie, and it was actually a relief when the anti-Catholic hate musings popped into the mind of the nasty narrator so I had an excuse to quit reading this puppy. All things considered, I wish I hadn't spend the time and money on this book. I should have re-read 'Neeta Lyffe, Zombie Exterminator' instead.
Karina Fabian: Neeta Lyffe, Zombie Exterminator (Amazon.com)
Mark Henry: Battle of the Network Zombies (Amazon.bom)
So: what do you think of Zombie Death Extreme and other elements of Neeta Lyffe, Zombie Exterminator? Have you read Battle of the Network Zombies? If so, what was your opinion? And are there any other zombie lit books that ought to be on my must-read list (since I'm considering writing a zombie-war book/novella called Zekwars)?
0 comments:
Post a Comment