The 21 Best Zombie Books
Best Post Apocalyptic Books → The 21 Best Zombie Books
If you're looking for your next book about everyone's favourite flesh-eating, blood-curdling denizens of Armageddon, look no further. We've compiled an overview of the twenty best zombie apocalypse books ever written. Read on to discover your new favourite story.
1) Breathers — S.G. Browne
The main character of Breathers, Andy, is a zombie who has become self-aware. He's not sure how it happened, but he knows that he's different from the other zombies: he can think for himself, and he doesn't want to eat human flesh anymore.
However, the other zombies view him as a freak and an outsider. Andy decides to try to find other self-aware zombies like himself, in the hope of finding somewhere he belongs. Along the way, he meets some interesting characters, including a girl who can control zombies with her mind, and a zombie who is determined to become human again. Breathers is a funny, heartwarming and ultimately uplifting book about acceptance, friendship and finding your place in the world - even if you're a bit different from everyone else.
2) Cell — Stephen King
Cell is a horror novel by Stephen King that was first published in 2006. The book centers around a group of people who are trying to survive in a world where almost everyone has been turned into zombies. These "zombies" are controlled by a signal that is transmitted through cell phones, and the only way to stay safe is to stay away from all technology.
Although the technology feels - eh, a little dated - Cell is still a fast-paced and suspenseful read that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. If you're a fan of Stephen King or horror novels in general, then you'll definitely want to check out Cell.
3) Dead City — Joe McKinney
Dead City is the story of a small group of survivors caught in the middle of a zombie apocalypse. When a virus that transforms its victims into flesh-eating monsters begins to spread, the desperate few must do whatever it takes to stay alive. But as they fight to stay alive, it becomes clear that some humans may be even more dangerous than the zombies. Through gritty action and nail-biting suspense, Dead City tells the gripping story of one community's struggle against an unrelenting enemy.
The book is fast-paced and action-packed, with plenty of gore and suspense to keep readers engaged. It's also surprisingly funny at times, with dark humor providing some relief from the relentless horror. Dead City is an enjoyable and gruesome read that will leave zombie fans hungering for more.
4) Feed — Mira Grant
In a future where most diseases have been cured, a new epidemic arises that causes people to become rabid and feed on others. Two decades after the virus spreads, a brother and sister—amateur journalists, live streaming through armageddon—find themselves embroiled in the hidden story behind the release and spread of the world-ending virus.
The books are full of action, suspense, and horror, as the siblings fight their way through hordes of zombies in an attempt to survive. The series is unique in that it includes elements of science fiction and political thriller, making it a thrilling read for fans of all genres. If you're looking for a fast-paced, heart-pounding series to keep you entertained, then look no further than the Feed books by Mira Grant.
5) I Am Legend — Richard Matheson
I Am Legend is a novel by Richard Matheson that tells the story of a world overrun by zombie-like creatures. The novel's protagonist, Robert Neville, is the only human left alive in a world where monsters rule the night. Neville spends his days hunting the creatures and trying to find a way to reverse the infection that has turned most of humanity into bloodthirsty monsters.
Whilst the most recent film adaptation of I Am Legend suffers from a serious case of Hollywood-itus, Richard Matheson’s only foray into post apocalyptic fiction is as poignant and thought-provoking as they come. Telling of the aftermath of something between a zombie outbreak and a plague of vampirism, I Am Legend is both beautifully atmospheric and genuinely scary, entertaining and surprisingly philosophical.
6) Monster Island — David Wellington
The world has been taken over by zombies. The most developed nations in the West are now nothing more than a shuffling mess of flesh and bones. As two bands of survivors arrive in New York City—one searching for much-needed medicine, the other a lone survivor (and perhaps catalyst) to the disaster that unfolded—they discover that there's more waiting for them on this new monster island than they had bargained for.
While the novel is ultimately a story of hope and determination, it's also a lot of fun. The characters are colourful and quirky, and the action is non-stop. If you're looking for an enjoyable read that will keep you entertained from start to finish, then I highly recommend Monster Island by David Wellington.
7) My Life as a White Trash Zombie — Diana Rowland
Angel Crawford is a high school dropout who has been fired from more jobs than she can count. After overdosing on painkillers, she wakes up to find a mysterious job waiting for her at the county morgue. In short order, she finds herself addicted to something new and exciting: human brains.
8) Patient Zero— Johnathan Maberry
After killing a terrorist who promptly rises from the dead, detective Joe Ledger is recruited by the US government to lead a new ultrasecret rapid-response group called the Department of Military Sciences to help stop terrorists from releasing a dreadful bio-weapon—one that turns the living into the undead.
Along the way, they must contend with mind-controlled zombies, exploding helicopters, and a whole lot of bullets. If you're looking for a heart-pounding, page-turning zombie book, then Patient Zero is definitely for you.
9) Pride and Prejudice and Zombies — Seth Grahame-Smith
Who could have imagined that the classic tale of Pride and Prejudice could be given a whole new twist? In Seth Grahame-Smith's Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, the much-loved story is set in an alternate reality where the British aristocracy must contend with a zombie plague. The result is a heart-pounding mashup of romance, comedy, and horror that is sure to please fans of all genres.
Elizabeth Bennet is now a skilled warrior who is determined to rid her home of the Zombie menace. However, she soon finds herself at odds with the arrogant Mr. Darcy, who seems more interested in quarreling with her than joining forces against the undead. As the two clash, they begin to realize that they may have more in common than they thought. Can their newfound understanding help them save England from utter destruction?
Whether you're a fan of zombies, Jane Austen, or both, you're sure to enjoy this unique and thrilling novel.
10) The Forest of Hands and Teeth — Carrie Ryan
The Forest of Hands and Teeth is a zombie book with a difference. Rather than taking place in a bleak, post-apocalyptic world, the story is set in a remote village which is surrounded by a forest full of zombies. Life in the village is hard, and the people are constantly living in fear of being attacked by the zombies. However, they are also aware that beyond the forest there is a world which is safe from the zombies.
The first in Ryan’s three-volume series, The Forest of Hands and Teeth follows the lives and struggles of a small isolated town, and the conflict between the resident Sisterhood, and the ever-present threat of zombies from the forest beyond. Bearing an obvious resemblance to The Passage (#36, below), Carrie Ryan’s first novel is regarded by many as a best YA novels in recent years.
11) The Girl with All the Gifts — M.R. Carey
The Girl with All the Gifts is a heart-pounding thriller about a world overrun by zombies. But this isn't just any zombie story – it's also a moving tale of love and loss, hope and despair.
The Girl with All the Gifts follows the journey of Melanie, a young girl who is infected with the zombie virus but has somehow retained her human consciousness. Along with a group of other infected children, Melanie is being held captive in an army base, where she is subjected to cruel experiments. But when the base comes under attack, Melanie must make a break for freedom – even though it means risking her own life. With its fast-paced action and emotional punch, The Girl with All the Gifts is sure to keep you entertained from beginning to end.
12) The Living Dead — John Joseph Adams
The Living Dead is an anthology of zombie stories edited by John Joseph Adams. The book includes stories by some of horror's most celebrated authors, including Stephen King, George A. Romero, and Ramsey Campbell. With a foreword by Max Brooks, The Living Dead is a must-read for any fan of the undead. The stories in the anthology range from the hilarious to the downright chilling, and provide a fresh take on the classic zombie story. Whether you're a die-hard fan of the genre or someone who's just looking for a good scare, The Living Dead is sure to please.
13) The Passage — Justin Cronin
The Passage is a 2010 novel by Justin Cronin, and it is the first book of a trilogy. The Passage is a zombie book like no other. It tells the story of a group of survivors in a world that has been overrun by vampires. The novel follows the journey of a young girl named Amy, who is one of the few people who seem to be immune to the vampire virus. Along with a small group of others, she must find a way to survive in a world that is filled with bloodthirsty creatures.
Part vampire novel, part zombie apocalypse, Justin Cronin’s The Passage is a modern post apocalyptic epic. Telling the story of a viral outbreak, and the subsequent collapse of society, it’s an enthralling and engrossing read, with more than a passing resemblance to King’s classic The Stand (and I mean that in the best way possible).
14) The Reapers are the Angels — Alden Bell
"The Reapers Are the Angels" by Alden Bell is a post-apocalyptic novel set in a world where the dead don't stay dead. The protagonist, Temple, is a young girl who has been on her own for years, surviving by fighting off the "zombies" with her wits and her blades. When she meets a group of survivors who are headed west to find a safe haven, she joins them on their journey. Along the way, Temple has to face not only the dangers of the zombie-infested world, but also the demons of her own past.
"The Reapers Are the Angels" is an intense and harrowing novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.
15) The Twelve – Justin Cronin
The Twelve continues the story started by The Passage, albeit several hundred years in the future. Introducing a new selection of characters, in addition to a handful from the original pantheon, The Twelve picks up a story that’s nothing short of addictive. Better still, the third book of the series, The City of Mirrors, is set for release this year – with a series of Ridley Scott film adaptations set to follow.
16) The Zombie Survival Guide — Max Brooks
Max Brooks' has a thing for unconventional zombie books: rather than focusing on the gore and horror of a zombie apocalypse, The Zombie Survival Guide takes a more practical approach, providing readers with a step-by-step guide to surviving an outbreak.
Brooks covers everything from identifying different types of zombies to forming a survival team to stockpiling supplies. (And, in case you were wondering, he also includes instructions for dealing with the inevitable zombie bites.) Although it's not the most gruesome or suspenseful book in the genre, The Zombie Survival Guide is certainly one of the most useful. After all, as the book says, "You don't rise to the occasion--you fall to the level of your training." So if you're looking for a zombie book that will actually teach you something, this is the one for you.
Though lacking the plot elements of the other post apocalyptic books on the list, The Zombie Survival Guide is worthy of inclusion through sheer enjoyment-factor alone. Reading like a real-world ‘how to’ guide for surviving the end of days, Max Brooks has simultaneously appealed to both the literary fan and wannabe survivalist inside of me. Come the end of days, give me this book, and a decent machete.
17) The Walking Dead — Robert Kirkman
Rick Grimes awakes from a coma and discovers that his small town has been ravaged by a mysterious disease that has turned its residents into bloodthirsty monsters. With the odds stacked against them, Rick and his companions must fight tooth and nail for every inch of ground, constantly strategizing and adapting in order to outlast their undead foes. But as they struggle to stay alive, it soon becomes clear that there are even more sinister forces at work, and the heroes will have to do whatever it takes in order to ensure that they don't become the next victims on the menu.
You'll probably recognise The Walking Dead: the series has been adapted into an Emmy Award-winning television series, which Kirkman also executive produces. The Walking Dead is a Zombie book for the modern age, and it is sure to appeal to fans of the genre.
18) Undead Girl Gang — Lily Anderson
Undead Girl Gang is the story of Mila Flores, a teenage girl who is dealing with the loss of her best friend, Frankie. To cope with her grief, Mila turns to witchcraft and tries to raise Frankie from the dead. When the spell goes wrong, Mila inadvertently raises a whole group of zombies.
The novel follows Mila as she tries to keep the zombies under control while also navigating the challenges of high school. Along the way, she learns important lessons about friendship, loss, and love. Undead Girl Gang is a fast-paced, action-packed novel that will keep you entertained from beginning to end.
19) Warm Bodies — Isaac Marion
In Isaac Marion's Warm Bodies, the world has - surprise surprise - been overrun by zombies. R is a zombie who starts to feel something stirring inside him after he meets and falls in love with a human girl named Julie. As R begins to experience more human emotions, he starts to remember his past life. He begins to wonder if there is more to life than just eating human brains.
Will R be able to save Julie from the other zombies? Will Julie be able to help R remember what it means to be human? Warm Bodies is a heartwarming (and sometimes heartbreaking) story about love, loss, and what it means to be alive.
20) World War Z — Max Brooks
Few post apocalyptic books have achieved the same level of success as Max Brook’s ‘oral history of the zombie war‘. World War Z recounts the events of a zombie apocalypse, through the eyes of a scientist trying to understand and explain the events that lead to the outbreak. Collating stories retold by dozens of survivors, the book is a fantastic read, and a unique take on the post apocalyptic genre – regardless of your views on the Hollywood blockbuster of the same name.
It's a fascinating look at how different people react to and cope with such a horrific event, with the story is told from the perspective of multiple characters who witness and survive the outbreak of a zombie plague that devastates the world. As you'd expect from a documentary-style account of the global conflict between humanity and the zombies, and it offers a unique and harrowing look at the nature of war, human behavior, and what it means to be truly alive.
21) Zone One — Colson Whitehead
From the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Underground Railroad comes a tale of a man stuck in New York City during a zombie plague.
In the vanishing days of civilization's collapse, a US government quarantine zone called "Zone One" has been established in Manhattan to protect and defend the living from the zombie hordes outside its walls. But when a highly virulent strain of zombies threatens to breach the perimeter, the job falls to Mark Spitz, a "cleaner" charged with clearing out the remaining infected.
As he navigates his way through a landscape of human wreckage - strewn with corpses, abandoned cars, and decomposing animals - Spitz is haunted by memories of his past life and by the people he loved and lost. And he soon realizes that the greatest danger he faces is not from the zombies but from the survivors themselves.
An unforgettable work of imagination, Zone One is an audacious reimagining of postwar America that confirms Colson Whitehead as one our most important living writers.
Whew! We made it to the end. If you're still looking for more zombie books to add to your reading list, then be sure to check out these titles. Whether you're looking for a fast-paced thriller or a novel with a twist, there's something on this list for everyone. So what are you waiting for? Start reading! :)
