Z

by Michael Thomas Ford Narrated by Edoardo Ballerini

Overview

The First Rule of Torching: Cleanse with fire.

Josh is by far the best zombie Torcher around-at least, he is in his virtual-reality zombie-hunting game. Josh has quickly risen through the player ranks, relying on the skill, cunning, and agility of a real Torcher.

The Second Rule of Torching: Save all humans.

But luckily for Josh, zombies exist only in the virtual world. The real zombie war is now more than fifteen years in the past, and the battle to defeat the deadly epidemic that devastated his family-and millions of others-is the stuff of history lessons.

The Third Rule of Torching: You can't bring them back.

Charlie is the top-ranked player in the game. Since all the players are shrouded in anonymity, Josh never expects Charlie to be a girl-and he never expects the offer she makes him: to join the underground gaming league that takes the virtual-reality game off the screen and into the streets. Josh is thrilled. But the more involved he gets, the more he realizes that not everything is what it seems. Real blood is spilling, members of the team are disappearing, and the zombies in the game are acting strange. And then there's the matter of a mysterious drug called Z. . . .

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Ford leaps in with flamethrowers blazing and burns through pages at a rapid pace.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Ford expertly builds the tension in this long, escalating thrill ride.” — Booklist

“A fast-paced, futuristic thriller. Ford artfully constructs a credible concept against the backdrop of a darkly atmospheric, post-apocalyptic world. Equal parts chilling and fun.” — Publishers Weekly

“The clever plot and characters will have readers hoping for more.” — School Library Journal

“A rollicking ride.” — Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

A rollicking ride.

Booklist

Ford expertly builds the tension in this long, escalating thrill ride.

Booklist

Ford expertly builds the tension in this long, escalating thrill ride.

Kirkus Reviews

Fifteen years after the zombie plague destroyed families and threatened the world, the ravenous creatures are once again confined to the video-game realm. Recruited by a shadowy live-action gaming group to battle against animatronic zombies, Josh is thrilled to show off his gaming prowess. But as his friends vanish and the gore increases, he realizes that the game may be more real than he knows. Ford leaps in with flamethrowers blazing and burns through pages at a rapid pace. There's very little character development, but readers who want zombies with personality have Daniel Waters's Generation Dead (2008) to turn to for that--the point here is nonstop movement. An ominous feeling shadows Josh's world, and its tension is nicely reflected in the blend of action and horror. The horrific revelation, the generic cast, the cliffhanger ending—these are all standard zombie fare, but the author manages to make the expected exciting again. For a quick escape, this is a sure-fire way to burn time. (Horror. 12 & up)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940170180585
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	09/07/2010
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

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