REVIEW: My Rotten Life Nathan Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie Book 1, by: David Lubar
In the Nathan Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie series David Lubar has been able to tap the “intelligent zombie” idea and bring it to a young adult audience in a completely new way that, while it will be annoying to many zombie fans, works. I do use the term young adult a little loosely as it could also be aimed at Children or really anyone who is light hearted.
In the first novel we are introduced to the three main characters of, at least the first couple of books, that you’ll need to kniw: Nathan Abercrombie, Mookie, and Abigail. Nathan is our main character, his best friend is Mookie, and Abigail is a virtual unknown to the two at the outset. The trio set at the “losers table” at his Junior High School and as we all know popularity at a younger age is almost everything and these three, and those they sit with, are clearly those who are the backend of jokes being made.
So what happens when Nathan has a really bad day? Humiliated in public by the girl he has a crush on? Chosen last during gym? Made fun of by the school bully? All in all just having one of the worst days of his life? Well up comes Abigail who says she may just have a way he can stop feeling so bad about life. Abigail takes Nathan to see her uncle (think mad scientist) who has a ‘cure’ for feeling bad. Oh and what a cure it is, not only does he start feeling better really nothing is hurting him! No bad feelings from being made fun of, no pain from running, no asthema, no hunger from needing to eat. No needing to eat. Wait. Who doesn’t need to eat? Throughout the entire novel Mookie plays both the comic relief, distraction, and on occasion person with just enough common sense to help solve a few very strange problems!
That’s right this “cure” has made Nathan a “zombie” in the fact that he is the living dead, just not of the brain eating variety.
We follow Nathan on his adventure for not only seeing redemption in his own eyes but at the same time seeking a cure for the undead issues that ail him, such as body parts falling off and trying to find a way to function in a society that he doesn’t need to eat or sleep through and have that not stick out. When you read it it’s clearly meant for a younger audience but it’s written so well if you can appreciate light humor even adults will be a fan. When I eventually have kidlets of my own I guarentee you this is one that will be included in their reading when they are of age to still be read too right before they are too old to rage against having attention bestowed upon them.
It’s the start to what I hope ends up being a long running and entertaining series.
Available on Amazon.
