Synopsis:
Jeffrey Knight is a down on his luck self proclaimed loser. He can’t keep a job, forced into hours of work in the hell that is retail. His only stable thing in his life was his relationship with his longtime girlfriend…that is until he catches her cheating on him. Now with nothing left, he begrudgingly agrees to join his best friend on a night of fake zombie hunting paintball. The only solace he has in his pitiful life. That is, until he learns zombies are real…
Jennifer Mayer has spent her whole life hunting monsters. Working tirelessly for a secret organization of mercenaries to protect normal citizens from learning the truth. However, there are a growing number of undead, and her organization leaders refuse to believe her that something catastrophic is coming. She is in need of new recruits to prevent a coming “Day of the Dead” event.
After saving Jeff from near death Jennifer takes him on as a pupil. Jennifer must train Jeff in everything she knows while avoiding the growing feelings and memories he reignites in her — feelings she thought she buried long ago.
Jeff has never finished anything in his life, allowing his fears to stop him. If he chokes up now, there might not be a normal world to go back to.
Review:
Z.E.R.O. Zombie Elimination and Rescue Operatives is the first book in Jessica Ungeheuer’s Z.E.R.O. saga. Are you an avid reader of zombie-themed novels? Looking for a paranormal thriller that is going to bring you some horror, lots of zombies, a few vampires, and a storyline that goes deeper than meets the eye.
Z.E.R.O. starts things off in a rather “calm before the storm” manner. The first character you meet in this book is Jennifer as she’s doing some “gardening”…in a cemetery. Just some routine “weeding” to make sure nothing crops up that shouldn’t. While she’s out “gardening” with one of her fellows watching her back from afar she notices some strange things in the ground. Small holes don’t seem like much to get concerned about but keep it in your mind because these holes are more than meets the eye.
As the first chapter progresses along the story shifts from focusing on Jennifer to moving to the next character that will be the focus of Z.E.R.O. – Jeff. Jeff doesn’t come off as “main character” material, but that’s because he’s going through some stuff and it’s got him lower than the sewer systems. The relationship he was in fell apart, and now he’s moping about feeling sorry for himself. You really can’t blame him once you learn the details. At the end of the day, he’s better off without his ex.
But what’s this? Is a new opportunity about to present itself to him? Apparently, it is, and it’s going to be a multi-faceted opportunity at that! Jeff is about to have a whirlwind of opportunities present themselves – a spark of attraction, a modicum of respect for his fortitude in the face of danger, and a chance at doing something more than his retail job can afford him. He’ll just have to get stronger, faster, and more resilient to make sure that he doesn’t get his face eaten off.
Z.E.R.O. has a beginning that is slower in pace as it sets the stage and introduces readers to the two characters who will be the primary focus of the story. It’s a familiar storyline with zombies cropping up at odd intervals. Author Ungeheuer does keep readers on their toes though as you never really know when a zombie or two is going to pop up and start creating havoc and destruction.
You’re not just getting zombies in this book though. You’re getting some vampires, too. Demons, lycans, and other paranormal creatures get mentioned, but that’s all you’re going to get in this book with those. A mention and nothing more. Z.E.R.O. is said to handle all of these various paranormal spooks, but this book focuses primarily on the zombie threat that is looming over the people of Florida. It’s nice that we’re getting someplace other than “middle America” right? LOL!
As Z.E.R.O. (the story) goes deeper you get to learn a little more about Jennifer and Jeff a little at a time. While Jeff gets recruited to be a part of the Z.E.R.O. team he quickly finds that it’s not at all what he thought it would be. Author Ungeheuer gives readers a nice twist with the piece of information that this is a long-lived issue. It’s been going on for hundreds of years so the creation of Z.E.R.O. isn’t something new.
Readers are going to appreciate that there is even a “legacy” factor to those who typically get pulled into Z.E.R.O., but the time has come for change. The ranks are running low, and fresh blood (so to speak) is needed or else they are going to be in some serious trouble. With “D-day” coming it would seem like a good idea to make sure the ranks are flush with new bodies (the living, not the dead).
As Z.E.R.O. progresses a romance sparks up between Jeff and Jennifer. It’s a lot of the typical “guy takes a job because he’s hot for the girl.” There are a lot of elements in this book that follow the typical romance tropes. He’s the new guy on the team, so of course she has to come to his defense and be upset when he’s getting hazed. Odds are you’re going to struggle to not be annoyed with her for this. Did she get defensive for previous recruits or did she join in on the “fun”? Odds are…you know the answer to that question.
Honestly, it can be said that author Ungeheuer strives to make the characters as realistic as possible, and succeeds overall. Jeff and Jennifer especially read as realistic with a lot of their behavior. They are also written to be highly similar when it comes to having a “quick to fly” temper. It would have been nice if all of the characters had been written as realistic as possible, too. The rest of the team that makes up the cast of characters are each unique, but they are spread across the spectrum of – can be a jerk (Hammer) or could be the ideal perfect guy despite being a vampire (Demon).
It takes time for the “bad guy” of the story to make an appearance. The beauty of it is that you are given hints that he’s a piece of work, but you don’t know just how bad he is. Nope, author Ungeheuer keeps that under wraps until it’s time for the perfect moment of revelation. It’s really well done when you get down to it.
Z.E.R.O. has a lot of drama in it. There is some sexual content, but for readers who are hoping for a “clean” read more or less, this book fits the bill. The sex takes place off-page/fade to black. You get clued in that they get “down and dirty” but author Ungeheuer refrains from putting anything of note on the page. You get more details of these two screaming at each other. LOL!
Hate cliffhangers? Well, we don’t know what to tell you because you’re going to be heading for one with this book. You’re going to be looking around wondering when book two is coming. Can’t say that we have an answer for you to be honest. LOL! But we’ll be right there with you keeping an eye or two peeled for whenever book two should happen to drop. Things are definitely getting interesting and taking a direction that nobody would have seen coming.
Z.E.R.O. brings it with the zombies, but if you’re hoping for gorey details of mass zombie attacks and the deaths of their victims…you’re going to be disappointed. Z.E.R.O. is a paranormal horror novel, and the first in its series, but author Ungeheuer still keeps things relatively tame compared to what you might be looking for or expecting. If you are someone who likes zombie stories without a ton of gore, then this is the book for you.
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