Zombies vs. Nazis: A Lost History of the Walking Undead by Scott Kenemore (Zen of Zombie: Book 1)

Zombies vs. Nazis: A Lost History of the Walking Undead (Zen of Zombie) by Scott Kenemore with Illustrations by Adam Wallenta

I must confess that when I was first asked to review this book I was not that keen as it is not something that I would readily pick up. I had no idea what to expect so when the email arrived (I had a PDF version) I opened it and promptly began to read.

This is by no means a long book, or even a novel in the normal sense. What we do have is a story told through a series of letters sent between the members of a secret Nazi team and its superior officer, a bit like The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis.

A lot of work has gone into the presentation of the book to make it look as though you are reading a collection of blood and sweat stained missives that have captured by U.S. Intelligence. There are a number of high quality illustrations throughout the book which add to overall appeal.

The story itself keeps its tongue firmly in its cheek often raising smile or two. Scott Kenemore writes well and clearly enjoys what he writes. I did, personally, enjoy the book very much and would place it between a graphic novel and a novella. I say this because without the art direction and the quality illustrations the story itself is scant, but then it should be. Were the story to be any longer it would rapidly grate upon the reader and so become a bore – which it never does.

The action all takes place, fittingly, on Haiti amidst a dark Voodoo backdrop. There’s is mystery and magic, a poke at religion and many digs in the ribs of the Third Reich via our witless, bumbling Nazis as they set out to learn the secrets of raising the dead to conquer the world.

So in summing up: if you like zombie stories with a bit of Voodoo culture thrown in then this a fun way to while away a couple of hours. If however you are looking for a war-time zombie-blood-fest you had best look elsewhere. One last though – I do wish that I had the full print version as it would add so much more to finished product. Some things will never be as good electronically and this is one of them.