The Undead Situation by Eloise Knapp introduces us to a somewhat different take on survivors during a zombie apocalypse. We’re introduced to Cyrus V. Sinclair a sociopathic survivor with a shitload of firepower, a sweet tooth to die for and a penchant for not giving a shit about other, even his so called friends.
Well, okay maybe he gives a shit about a few friends. Pickle his ferret and Francis his best and only true friend.
Sinclair is content to sit out the apocalypse in his fortified apartment while he decides whether to stay or go. That decision is moderately taken out of his hands when Frank calls him and gives him the latest news on the world in general. Apparently, Frank has been in the same state for about a year working on some remote cabin that his parents left him. Of course, Frank is a survivor like Cyrus is. And maybe he’s not as sociopathic but only time will tell.
Cyrus ventures out of his apartment to see how the rest of the occupants of the building have fared given that dead are now walking. This is done on his way to the corner market to forage for more sugar laden goodness that will satisfy his sweet tooth.
Seattle is a town of the reanimated dead as he soon finds out.
Even with all the weaponry at his disposal, he elects to use stealth and brute force to take out any of the zombies that get in his way, a crowbar. This is a nice relief from all the other novels where the primary character usually takes several paragraphs and sometimes chapters to realize that noise attracts more zombies.
Safely back at his apartment, he secures the main door of the building then retreats to his living space and savors the tasty treats he risked life and limb to gather. It’s during that time that he realizes that neighbors have books therefore reading material that he could use. To use up all that free-time now at his disposal, he reads and reads and reads then just to break things up some more, he reads.
Interrupting all this prime reading time is another survivor, Gabriella. First impressions usually set the tone of the relationship and Cyrus makes a nice impression on his new guest. Besides the open animosity between the two, he ties her up and dangles her over the end of the balcony as zombie bait.
Remember, Cyrus is a sociopath with psychotic tendencies and zero conscience.
During the course of the story, Cyrus deals with people who want Gabriella back, finally meets up with Frank, leaves Seattle, ends up at a detention center and meets a woman who has almost the same moral makeup as himself.
Eloise Knapp paints a stark picture of the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse striking the Emerald City. Her character development of Cyrus V. Sinclair would make any sane person shudder to meet him and many a psychotherapist drool in anticipation of such a meeting.
The Undead Situation reads like it’s a mild inconvenience for Cyrus whereas it’s a major disaster for everyone else involved except maybe Frank. This is a well written, well thought out novel that has very developed layered characters. There is great detail in the background and surroundings, primarily Seattle and the environs around it. This is not the average zombie survivor story and that’s what makes this such an enjoyable read. No predictable character actions, no cliché and no stereotypical supporting characters.
I recommend this novel for anyone looking for a somewhat darker side of being a survivor during a zombie apocalypse.
Available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
