Looking for a good zombie book to read? Look no further!
We’ve got you covered with some of the best books in the zombie genre that are sure to get your blood pumping. These books are full of action and adventure and keep you entertained from beginning to end.
So if you're ready for a thrill ride, read on! You won't regret it.
Check out my recommended list of amazing zombie fiction books!
How I Choose
With so many zombie fans out there looking for books to read, it's hard to know which ones are worth reading.
Most people just pick any book that looks good or that their friends have recommended. But with so many books to choose from, you're likely to waste your time on a book that's not even close to being the best in its genre.
I've done the hard work for you. By combing through thousands of reviews from readers, I've determined which books are worthy of consideration. I add only the top books mentioned twice or more in my list. Then I pick the top 5 based on certain criteria that are important to zombie fans like you.
From classic tales of the undead to modern takes on the genre, there's something for everyone. So what are you waiting for? Get reading!
Why I Love It!
The Girl with All the Gifts is a one-of-a-kind zombie apocalypse book I have ever read. The premise is incredibly in-depth and very well explained. I can believe that every word of this could happen.
The characterization is amazing. I love Melanie. You will love Melanie. Everyone will love Melanie. It's one of the more terrifying things about this novel. This book is a must-read for any fan of the genre. If you're looking for a gripping zombie thriller, then look no further than The Girl with All the Gifts.
I was absolutely gripped by this story and by what it tells us about human nature and its response to adversity. If you're a fan of this genre, then you'll love this book. If you're not a fan of the genre, then you'll still love this book. It's that good. So what are you waiting for? Go and read it!
What You Should Know
The Girl with All the Gifts is a heart-wrenching, gut-wrenching, soul-wrenching novel of love and loss in the face of utter horror, and the setting is a huge part of that. Set in post-apocalyptic England, the novel's protagonist, Melanie, is one of a group of children being raised in an underground military facility.
The facility is constantly under threat from the shambling zombie masses that roam the surface, and the children are being studied for a possible cure. But when the facility is overrun, Melanie finds herself on the run with her teacher, Ms. Justineau, and a soldier named Sergeant Parks.
The three of them must journey across a desolate landscape to find safety, and the danger posed by the zombies is only a few pockets matched by the danger posed by the hostile human survivors they encounter. The setting is so well-rendered that it feels like its own character, and it adds greatly to the novel's atmosphere of dread and despair.
Why I Love It!
Zombies have been done to death (walking dead). It seems like every other book, movie, or TV show features the flesh-eating undead. So when I picked up Feed, I wasn't expecting to be blown away by the originality of its premise. But I was pleasantly surprised.
The story is set 15 years after the initial outbreak of zombie-ism, which allows the author to explore the changes to American society that have occurred in the intervening years.
The result is an interesting and well-imagined world that was a joy to explore. If you're tired of the same old zombie stories, then I recommend giving Feed a try. You just might find yourself enjoying it as much as I did.
What You Should Know
I would definitely recommend this book to zombie lovers everywhere. It's a real page-turner, and I could hardly put it down! I will say, however, that is not typical of zombie novels. It's more like a post-apocalyptic political thriller, and to my mind, that's one of the things that makes it so readable.
Mira Grant does an excellent job of world-building, and I was really intrigued by all the details she included about how society has adapted to life after the Rising. Everything from how people share information to where they live to how they travel has changed, and Grant does a great job of exploring all of these topics.
I will warn you that she pulls no punches. She is brutal to us, the readers, and there were definitely some parts of the story that were difficult to read. But overall, I thought it was a great book and I would definitely recommend it to fans of zombie science fiction.
Why I Love It!
At first, I thought The Forest of Hands and Teeth was going to be a rip-off of The Village. I mean, it has the same kind of setting and feeling of isolation. But then I realized that the inhabitants of this village have no concept of a world beyond the village border. So, in a way, it's actually the opposite of The Village. Anyway, I found it to be a very interesting book and would recommend it to anyone who likes dystopian novels.
What You Should Know
Carrie Ryan's "The Forest of Hands and Teeth" is a post-apocalyptic horror novel with a twist: the zombies, or "unconsecrated," are not the only threat to Mary's life. In fact, the people she lives with in her village are just as dangerous, if not more so.
The Sisters, who control the village, have always told the villagers that there is nothing beyond the forest that is filled with the unconsecrated. But Mary's mother has always told her stories of the world before the infection, including stories of the ocean, which Mary has always wanted to see for herself. When the fence is breached by the unconsecrated, Mary has to choose whether to stay in the village or venture out into the unknown. Either way, she faces danger—from both the living and the walking dead.
Why I Love It!
It's not often that you come across a female protagonist who isn't trying to be strong and independent and who doesn't conform to the typical pageant-princess ideal of beauty. Temple was all of those things, and I loved her for it. She was practical and resourceful, and she knew how to take care of herself in a fight.
She was also intelligent and quick-witted, which made her even more fun to read about. And while she was growing up in a world that was falling apart, she managed to see the beauty in it, even in the rot and ruin. That made her even more refreshing because she wasn't just some idealized figure; she was real.
What You Should Know
Temple is a fifteen-year-old girl who has had to do some pretty grown-up things in her short life. To say that she has seen some things would be a bit of an understatement. In a post-apocalyptic world that is overrun by Reapers, Temple has had to learn how to fight and defend herself at a young age. And she has never backed down from a fight.
The Reapers Are The Angels is a deeply moving and thought-provoking look at humanity and what remains of the world through the eyes of an unforgettable fifteen-year-old warrior girl. Temple is funny, fierce, and loyal, and she will stick by your side no matter what. So if you're looking for someone to help you survive the end of the world, Temple is your girl.
Why I Love It!
The author made sure to develop characters and give them depth in this book. I felt like we got acquainted with Sloane, Rhys, as well as the other members of their group very quickly without feeling overwhelmed or rushed through any part at all; there was always something happening but it never seemed like things were flying off into outer space because suddenly they weren’t relevant anymore – you could still follow what happened before while reading this novel if anything else existed besides these kids' lives (which luckily enough has been written so beautifully by someone who knows how to make words
What You Should Know
The humans were just too much of an obstacle in this story. They had plenty to eat and drink, so it wasn't like anything was going hungry or thirsty among them, but still, arguments broke out sometimes over something stupid (I'm looking at you Rodger)! If only there would've been more zombies trying to breach through into their safe little world, then maybe things could have worked differently.
Honorable Mentions
What's better than the five top zombie novels? More! I'm happy to say that there are even more great reads in this genre for you. But don't worry; if the top 5 didn’t quite suit your taste or preferences, here is a small sampling of other titles worth checking into:
World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War
This book offers an alternative perspective on what happened after the outbreak. The interviews are conducted by people who were involved with this "war," giving us insight into how they dealt with it and its repercussions for society as a whole, rather than just focusing our attention on one group or person experiencing these events firsthand, as most other books of its genre do.
Cell
Stephen King's Cell is a fast-paced novel that will have you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. Not only does he paint a vivid picture with his words, but King also keeps us guessing as to what exactly these 'phoners' are-whether they're humans who've gone clinically insane due to their exposure (or lack thereof)to cell phone signals; or maybe even more disturbingly... zombies?
Whether it's human instinctual violence within ourselves—our species’ survival mechanism at work again—or if there exists another explanation for these people's actions, this book will make you think long after you've turned the last page.
Patient Zero
Take a walk with me through the infected zones. A land where zombies roam and grasp at your throat, trying to take what's rightfully yours--your humanity...
The Patient Zero Zone is very far from being just action-packed zombie apocalypse storytelling; it has some decent character development for its genre (the terror/action hybrids) plus an intriguing, albeit complicated plotline that makes sense within this worldbuilding framework—something few books can boast these days! There are also moments where you'll feel relieved knowing they're safe—and then horror anew when things go from bad to worse in what seems like the blink of an eye.
Zone One
Zone One is a book about what would happen if zombies were to take over the world. The characters are realistic, with believable reactions and emotions that make you feel like they could be your friends or family members in this dark time of crisis.
It has an exciting beginning as well because it drops us right into the action where there are many different types of battles going on at once all around Manhattan, even though we're only focusing partially upon one main character who has been through quite some trauma since becoming a survivor.
"ZoneOne provides just enough descriptive detail so readers can see these incredible scenes play out before them without feeling lost."
Rot 'n' Ruin
So many emotions are evoked in this book. There's the tension between two brothers, their loyalty to one another despite having very little understanding of who they really are or want to be; there is regret over decisions made by those closest to them with ties around them that cause pain, but also hope as we see how much can change within just one generation.
The best part, however, is the slow build-up of suspense that crescendos into an epic showdown against a common enemy. This book had me on the edge of my seat and biting my nails the entire time!
Monster Island
When the zombies of Monster Island start rising, it doesn't take long before you realize that this is not like typical zombie novels. The monsters are cannibals, and there is more than one way for them to come alive-some may even say they're "supernatural."
The author of Monster Island does an excellent job of creating original characters, like the main character, Dekalb, who is a United Nations weapons inspector. in addition to keeping readers on their toes by integrating various genres into one cohesive storyline, including political corruption within international organizations.
Monster Island is sure to please. And perhaps the evil genius behind this book will make you think about dark conspiracy theories in real life and what could possibly go terribly wrong.
Warm Bodies
Warm Bodies is one of the most unique stories I have ever read. The writing flows smoothly, and there are no dull spots in this book! It's R portrayed in the first person, and the best part is that you slowly start to realize that R is changing.
But what starts as just an average day turns into something much more than he could've bargained for when she becomes wholly fascinating to him-not only does she spark some memories from before death, claiming their spot at last among those left alive today (but also giving rise), but she touches off feelings inside so powerful they can't be denied; love.
R is a zombie with a heart, and I think that's what makes this book so special. It shows that even in the darkest of times, there can be light. And love will always find a way to shine through. If you're looking for an unconventional love story with a bit of everything else thrown in, then I would highly recommend Warm Bodies!
The Rising
"The Rising", tells a story about the outbreak and subsequent chaos that befalls those who are left alive. This novel has little time spent on expository dialogue, instead preferring to keep its readers engaged with fast-paced action sequences from the beginning until the end. Perfect for lovers or horror genre buffs!
My Life As A White Trash Zombie
I loved this book! It is about a girl who believes she's nothing but trash and then slowly begins to change. I really felt for her character as she tried so hard in life, but never got the recognition or appreciation from anyone around her.
We know how much our own worth can be appreciated by just one person seeing what makes us valuable—ourselves. You might expect the book to be filled with romance and zombies. But this story is so much more than that! It has mystery, real-life struggles – even some humor thrown in for good measure.
Zombie Apocalypse Fun Facts
Maybe it's because people are fascinated by so much death, or maybe just the idea of how the dead began to terrorize the living. Zombie horror fiction has definitely taken pop culture by storm. With so many horror movies, shows, and books out now, it's hard to know which books will be good.
Luckily, I've compiled this list of frequently asked questions about zombie novels and their science fiction counterparts, so you can be informed!
Are zombie books sci-fi?
There's no universally accepted answer to this question, as different people tend to categorize things differently. However, I would say that yes, books with zombies generally fall under the sci-fi umbrella.
The reason for this is that zombies are usually created through some kind of scientific experiment gone wrong, or they're the result of a disease or zombie virus. Either way, they don't occur naturally in our world, so they have a definite sci-fi element to them.
Of course, not all zombie novels are pure sci-fi—there are plenty of stories that mix in elements of horror, suspense, and even romance. But at their core, most zombie tales have a strong science-fiction element. So if you're a fan of science-fiction, chances are you'll enjoy zombie horror fiction as well.
What is the best zombie novel?
There are so many great zombie novels out there that it's hard to choose just one. But if I had to recommend one, I would suggest Max Brooks Z. It's a fascinating look at the zombie apocalypse from a global perspective, and it's definitely not your average zombie novel. I also love The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman.
If you're looking for something a little more classic, I would recommend The Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks. It's full of practical advice on how to survive a zombie outbreak, and it's essential reading for any zombie fan.
Has Stephen King written a zombie book?
Yes, he has written one. It's called "Cell" and it was published in 2006. In the book, a mysterious signal turns most of the world's population into mindless, flesh-eating zombies. A small group of survivors tries to make their way to safety.
"Cell" is definitely one of Stephen King's best. If you're a fan of his work, then you'll definitely enjoy this book.
What should I read if I like World War Z?
If you're looking for more books like WWZ, you should check some of the other great books with zombies out there. Here are a few that come to mind:
The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman: This is an amazing graphic novel series that tells the story of the zombie apocalypse from the perspective of a group of survivors. It's incredibly suspenseful and harrowing, and it'll definitely keep you on the edge of your seat.
Dawn of the Dead by George Romero: This is one of the classic zombie movies, and it is extremely influential in the genre. The book is also really good, and it gives a unique spin on the genre by focusing on a group of people.
What is the number one zombie movie?
That debate could go on forever, but in our opinion, the number one zombie movie has to be George Romero's "Night of the Living Dead." Not only did it establish many of the tropes and rules that would come to define the genre, but it's also a legitimately scary and intense film. Plus, who can forget those iconic scenes of zombies feasting on human flesh? Yuck!
Is The Dark Tower post-apocalyptic?
That's a great question! I'm not sure if The Dark Tower is technically post-apocalyptic, but it certainly feels like it. The novel is set in a world that has been ravaged by war and disaster, and the characters are all struggling to survive in a hostile environment. So, while The Dark Tower may not be strictly post-apocalyptic, it definitely has elements of that genre.
Is there a sequel to Cell by Stephen King?
Yes, there is a sequel to Cell by Stephen King. It is called Cell 2: The New Order. In this sequel, the protagonist, Clay Riddell, must once again face the unstoppable power of the cellphone signal as it threatens to take over the world.
Just like in the first book, King keeps the suspense high and the reader totally engaged as they watch helplessly as civilization crumbles around them. So if you loved Cell, then you'll definitely want to check out its sequel!
What was the first zombie novel?
The first OFFICIAL zombie novel is I Am Legend by Richard Matheson. It was published in 1954 and has been credited as one of the main inspirations for George A. Romero's 1968 film, Night of the Living Dead.
However, there are those who believe that Mary Shelley's Frankenstein could be considered the first zombie novel. In her novel, Victor Frankenstein creates a creature that is made from rotting flesh and then brings it to life using electricity. While this creature is not technically a zombie, it does have many similarities to zombies as we know them today.
So, depending on how you define "zombie," you could make the argument for either I Am Legend or Frankenstein's being the first zombie.
What genre are zombie books?
Well, that's a tough question to answer. There are a ton of different types of books out there, and they all fall into different genres. Some are horror, some are science fiction, and some are even romance. It honestly depends on the book in question.
However, if we're talking about the classic zombie novel, then it would probably fall into the horror genre.
Have you found the right zombie genre for you?
Ready for a thrill ride? Check out my recommended list of amazing zombie science fiction books! These books are full of action and adventure and keep you entertained from beginning to end. So if you're looking for a good zombie plague book to read, look no further! You won't regret it. There are tons of great books out there, so don't limit yourself to just this list.