Zombies for Zombies contest winners

First, I would like to thank Source Books and author, David Murphy, for sponsoring the contest!  Join me in congratulating our winners:

*  Denis M. of New York, NY
*  Nan of Purdy's, NY
*  Todd J. of Orem, UT

Zombies for Zombies: The Play & Werk Buk Review

David Brown

What do you get when you combine an advertising catalog, great games, challenging puzzles, rewarding stories, and elbow macaroni? Well, you get the Zombie For Zombies Play & Werk Buk. Written by David P. Murphy and illustrated by Daniel Heard, this book is the sequel to the original novel Zombies for Zombies. I have to say it right here, if you were a fan of the first, then by all means do not miss the chance to pick up a great sequel.

The first impressions you get once picking up the book are ones of insider jokes and zombie love. David Murphy yet again hits all the right points in his quest to create a book for the living dead.  The purpose of this book is to help the living dead maintain a high Q-Scale number, but as he puts it, this is a book that the living can enjoy as well.  We get to see an altered North America where the United States has been shrunk and states combined by a president wanting to have more room for containment zones and Scarlet Shores facilities. 

When you see this “inactivity” guide you will at first think that it is just games, but there are also four very funny stories, complete with moral lessons (if you would consider them that). Also included is a nice little arts and crafts project and many question and answer sections for humans and post-lifers alike.  The greatest part is that each section, even ones that are a bit more mature and serious in thematic material, is presented in the tongue-in-cheek style that David P. Murphy used to make the first book so enjoyable. 

The book itself weighs in at 98 pages, so there isn’t much more that can be said without totally taking the fun out of it and spoiling a lot. If you are a David P. Murphy fan pick up this book. If you love zombie literature or want to know how to make it once you have turned, pick up this book.  If you want to have a book for a rainy day or need something to cheer you up, pick up this book. I simply cannot say enough good stuff about this book.  Besides where else can you say that you read a book about zombies where a zombified unicorn gave you some of the best advice of your life.

ed note:  Check out David's review of Zombies for Zombies and don't forget to enter to win copies of both books!

Zombies for Zombies: Advice and Etiquette for the Living Dead Book Review

David Brown

Many books and movies exist that will show you how to survive a zombie attack and how to defeat the zombie hoards in general. With his great book Author/Songwriter David P. Murphy does the complete opposite.  Have you ever wondered how you will ever survive as a zombie in a proper way? Well Mr. Murphy and his fine contacts at QualiCorps are here to help you out every step of the phase, from first bite to your arrival and new after life at one of four great facilities.

Zombies for Zombies, abbreviated Z4Z in the book when it refers to itself, is a great resource book for anybody who likes to see how it would be to live as a zombie from a humorous, tongue in cheek standpoint.  There are a total of 12 chapters and 3 appendices bringing the page count on this book to a solid 237 pages.  As mentioned before the book starts at the point of initial infection, regardless of how it may have happened. One of the funnier parts of the book is the introduction, which includes a number of icons to show what is important, what is not, as well as spiders, hot topics, and pirates (yes I said pirates!). The intro then goes on to tell the reader why they need this book, it is all very funny and a great way to start any book. 

In the world of the book, it is not radiation, but the provo virus that infects people and turns them into zombies.  This book is comprehensive to say the least in that it covers everything from adjusting to your new eating habits, complete with a cookbook or great recipes utilizing brains, to enjoying yourself, and even dating and sex.  There is just so much going on in this book.  It is great to know that you are reading something that an author has put so much effort into writing. This book establishes a world where there are still hordes of zombies, with a hive mind mentality, and an eternal quest for brains.  However, in this world, there are also those who can contribute to society and still be somewhat civilized after infection. 

There is a lot of fun to be had, with this book, whether you are a fan of zombies or not. David Murphy does a great job of making you feel like you are truly in need of this information, as it is presented in a rapid-fire form, where everything is on a quick need to know basis.  You truly feel like you are infected as this book grabs you by the jugular and refuses to let go.  What David cannot say with his words, his illustrator, Daniel Heard, accomplishes to tell with his vivid illustrations. This is a must buy for anybody who is interested in what happens once you get bitten, and wants to look at the world through the eyes of the infected.  There is so much to learn and so little time, so go out and pick this up before it is too late and you lose your motor skills and ability to read.

If this book sounds like fun, we are giving you a chance to win a free copy along with the newly-released companion, The Play & Werk Buk.  Only one grand-prize winner will take home both books.  However, there will be several copies of The Play & Werk Buk given away!  For details on how to win, visit the contest page.

Zombies for Zombies: The Play & Werk Buk

We mentioned a while back a new book by David Murphy titled Zombies for Zombies.  The book was written as a type of handbook for the newly reanimated.  This funny and entertaining book now has a companion.

Zombies for Zombies: The Play & Werk Buk will help keep your brain active while you search for others' to eat.  The book is packed full of games, puzzles, stories, quizzes, and other fun ways to embrace and improve your new life as a zombie.

We will have a review of The Play & Werk Buk in the near future, but wanted to make ZT readers aware of its availability in time for our favorite spooky holiday.  Murphy and publisher Source Books have been kind enough to give some lucky readers the opportunity to win a copy!  To enter, email your name and address along with the answer to the pain in the ass werd jamble to werkbuk@zombiesandtoys.com.  The contest will conclude sometime in November.  We will announce more details at a later date along with a review.