I am rereading Zed by Stephen Herfst in order to refresh my memory before I do my review. I feel that if I am going to do this story justice, I need to pick Zed’s brain for thoughts.
Written from Zed’s point of view, he tells his own story about survival, which I find very unique and fun. Ever wonder what a zombie thinks? This book will definitely make you wonder some more.
Prologue
The gun barrel points at me; no mention of surrender accompanies it.
Well that is just dandy.
He does not intend on taking me prisoner and who can blame him? I have given them many for mercy to be an afterthought. It seems only fitting that I would be shown the same level of empathy.
I attempt to find peace as the barrel stares me down. I feel like I have every right to exist, even if my existence contradicts their traditional view of life. It is funny that the gun also contradicts: from its meticulous clinical creation to its final purpose to mindlessly destroy. The gun involuntarily triggers flashbacks of earlier days.
I remember the first time I was almost killed:
The buckshot pierces my shoulder, although the brunt of the shot hits my brother. He flies backwards with most of his face missing. I am unfazed by the loss – I have many brothers left to fill the void. I shrug off the shot and turn back to the bloods that look tired and vulnerable although their guns still have bite.
“Ya cotton-pickin’ zees. We ain’t gonna let -“
We silence their noises and then we all fight for a share of the prize – it feels good to be back with my own kind. I remember the horrible food and tests they subjected me to. It is sheer luck that I am free, although my mind is now infected by demons that agitate to be unleashed. I attempt to quell their restlessness by claiming my share of the spoils.
My brain quivers.
A wave of nausea overcomes me as I lose control of my world. I am a captive to these proceedings – the demons rule my mind now.
They scheme together as they massage new thoughts into being. I cannot help thinking why, as I look over the drama that unfolds. I wonder why just a few moments earlier I would have given anything to be among my own kind. Why was I so fixated on blood and brains just moments earlier?
Why do I think?
The demons whisper and now I hunger for something else.
Here is a synopsis borrowed from Goodreads
The story revolves around a teenage girl’s promise to save Zed from the human hordes.
Zed is not your typical zombie. He is cursed with the affliction of thought … although he tries to make the best of a bad situation. The goals for his unrest are simple: to improve his stride, to taste a lightly-seared pork loin once again and avoid Activists at all costs.
His life was predictable, controlled and good until chaos crashed the party. In just one day his world is destroyed and his ability to survive is tested. Would he be able to get through this in one piece? And would he somehow be able to survive the unstoppable force that goes by the name of Chase?
Now I am off to finish reading about Zed. You are not going to believe what happens!