Pages

▼

Saturday, October 23, 2021

The Zombie Apocalypse Call Center by Taylor Ellwood

 

"Hello, this is Sam with Zombii Co. May I ask who I'm speaking with please?"  It's 7 a.m. and I've just started my shift at the Zombie Apocalypse Call Center, run by Zombii Co. ... We sell people on the idea of the Zombie Apocalypse, but as I've learned since I started working here, no one really believes it.
Zombii Co. sells Silver, Gold and Platinum plans to help their customers survive a zombie apocalypse. The plans include guns, ammo, Zombii Spray, and a support center to answer all their calls and questions. That's Sam's job. And even though he has a micro-managing boss who's always on his case, and he doesn't believe a zombie apocalypse will ever actually happen, he's pretty good at his job. Until people start calling in about being attacked by actual zombies. Sam doesn't know what to think. But it's soon apparent that Zombii Spray doesn't work like it's supposed to, guns aren't always enough, and people are dying. Sam just wants to go home to check in on his mom and sister, but it's written into his contract that he can't leave his job during an actual zombie apocalypse, although he might have to leave his computer to help defend the call center. Until then...
I take a few deep breaths and put myself back into ready. When you're call support you have to find a way to put aside the emotions of the moment and focus on the problem. And the problem today is a Zombie Apocalypse that needs to be stopped.

The beginning of this book, with all the calls Sam has to deal with, is hilarious! You can tell the author once worked at a call center himself. All those people calling and asking Sam for Zombie help totally made me laugh, as did the stupid rules he has to follow. The rest of the book isn't quite as good, and there are some slow parts in the middle, but overall I thought this was an entertaining read. And if you like lots of zombie fighting, this book has plenty of it. Sam is an ordinary guy who messes up and makes mistakes, but who tries to do the right thing even when the people around him make it really hard. I liked him. And I loved when he finally stood up to his boss, and how tough he got by the end. Go Sam! I'm not sure I'll read the sequel, but I did really enjoy this one. 

Happy Reading!


 
at

42 comments:

  1. JeaneOctober 23, 2021 at 5:28 AM

    I don't read zombie stories but this one does sound funny, and the call center slant of it too.

    ReplyDelete
  2. KamiOctober 23, 2021 at 7:42 AM

    Oh man! I love zombies, and this book looks like so much fun! The cover and title are hilarious.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lark October 23, 2021 at 12:10 PM

      Isn't it the best title? And the whole call center thing is so funny. It was my favorite part.

      Delete
  3. Mary KirklandOctober 23, 2021 at 10:42 AM

    Zombie apocalypse preparedness is probably good for when the zombies take over.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lark October 23, 2021 at 12:09 PM

      And you can buy a silver, gold or platinum plan! ;D

      Delete
  4. mudpuddleOctober 23, 2021 at 11:00 AM

    i don't quite know what to make out of the zombie fad... it seems somehow related to both the increased population density and the destruction of the environment, but i'd be at a loss to say exactly how... this sounds like a funny book nevertheless...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lark October 23, 2021 at 12:09 PM

      Just all the calls Sam has to deal with at the start made this zombie book a uniquely funny read.

      Delete
  5. reeseOctober 23, 2021 at 11:29 AM

    That cover is pretty great. That's exactly how a Sam should look at that moment!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lark October 23, 2021 at 12:07 PM

      It's not a super serious zombie book, so that cover is perfect for it!

      Delete
  6. (Diane) Bibliophile By the SeaOctober 23, 2021 at 12:04 PM

    I don't think this is a "me" book but the premise is quite fun.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lark October 23, 2021 at 12:07 PM

      Zombie books are not everyone's cup of tea.

      Delete
  7. Sam October 23, 2021 at 12:31 PM

    I"m burned out on the whole zombie thing, but I have to admit that this one sounds like fun in the same way that Jane Austen zombie mashup was fun.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lark October 24, 2021 at 10:16 AM

      Yes! Pride, Prejudice & Zombies was equally funny. :)

      Delete
  8. Lectrice VoraceOctober 23, 2021 at 12:52 PM

    I'm not really into zombies... but this book does seem pretty funny!

    ReplyDelete
  9. IlianaOctober 23, 2021 at 2:15 PM

    I'm not into zombies but I have to say this sounds hilarious! Glad you enjoyed this one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lark October 24, 2021 at 10:15 AM

      I couldn't resist the premise of this one, with the whole zombie apocalypse call center! :D

      Delete
  10. WendyW October 23, 2021 at 4:27 PM

    This does sound like a fun book.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Dorothy BordersOctober 23, 2021 at 8:03 PM

    That does sound like a fun read.

    ReplyDelete
  12. VerushkaOctober 24, 2021 at 3:57 AM

    Oh this premise is golllllld, even with the slowbits! This genuinely made me laugh out loud!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lark October 24, 2021 at 10:15 AM

      The call center bits in this book are hilarious! I loved all of those.

      Delete
  13. Ashley SappOctober 24, 2021 at 8:36 AM

    This sounds like such a fun read. I haven't read a zombie book in awhile but you've got me wanting to read one now. :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lark October 24, 2021 at 10:14 AM

      I haven't been reading many zombie books lately either, but I couldn't resist this one.

      Delete
  14. GregOctober 24, 2021 at 2:47 PM

    " Zombii Spray doesn't work like it's supposed to" hahahaha

    This sounds kind of fun :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lark October 25, 2021 at 1:00 PM

      It's a zombie book that'll make you laugh. :D

      Delete
  15. Rachel @Waves of FictionOctober 24, 2021 at 7:27 PM

    This does sound like a fun zombie story. Zombii Spray? Is that supposed to be like bear spray? Lol! I'm not sure that bear spray works that well either. I'd be interested to hear what you thought of the next book. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lark October 25, 2021 at 1:01 PM

      If I ever do read the second book, I'll be sure to post about it. :)

      Delete
  16. jenclairOctober 25, 2021 at 4:26 AM

    Sounds like fun, and I love the cover!

    ReplyDelete
  17. EthanOctober 25, 2021 at 1:39 PM

    This is such a creative take on a Zombie story! I don't know that I'll have time to get to it this year, but it is going on my list for next October.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lark October 31, 2021 at 11:44 AM

      I hope you get a chance to read it. The call center parts are so hilarious! :)

      Delete
  18. Suzanne @ The Bookish LibraOctober 25, 2021 at 7:08 PM

    Love the unique premise of this one. It's not often I associate the word funny with zombie stories but this definitely sounds fun.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lark October 31, 2021 at 11:45 AM

      Most zombie books are not funny, but this one was. :)

      Delete
  19. thecuecardOctober 25, 2021 at 7:46 PM

    It looks like a funny spoof. And Zombies never get old as a genre, right?

    ReplyDelete
  20. MelodyOctober 26, 2021 at 2:15 AM

    It's funny that I rarely read books about zombies but I do enjoy the movies or TV series. This one sounds like fun!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lark October 31, 2021 at 11:46 AM

      I loved all the calls Sam gets about zombie attacks. They're just so funny. :D

      Delete
  21. Lark @ The Bookwyrm's HoardOctober 31, 2021 at 7:36 AM

    I tend to avoid zombie books like the plague (pun intended), but this sounds so funny, I might make an exception. The premise is really intriguing. I'll bet it would make a good funny/scary movie!

    ReplyDelete