Book Review: Elegy for the Undead

Published by Sue Cook at August 1, 2021

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Elegy for the Undead is about a virus that turns people into Zombies. It follows the lives of the two main characters, Jude and Lyle, from their points of view. They are married when the virus hits, but you do move back and forth in time. It is a Zombie story, with a bit of a COVID-19-like twist.

This book is freakin’ awesome! I am a Zombie fan. I even played one on a YouTube series, so Zombies have a special place in my heart. I began reading this book with a bit of uncertainty as to whether it would be the same old Zombie story. Bite, infect, repeat, die. Yes, biting occurs which leads to infection, but the infection can be transmitted in different ways.

It isn’t because the main characters are gay, that this story is unique, it’s the beautiful, descriptive writing that will make any fan of the Zombie genre, sit up and give a little fist pump. I had a hard time putting it down. I would have finished it in one sitting, but life stepped in, and I finished it in two. I can’t praise the grip-you-by-the-throat factor enough. (Okay, Zombie pun, sorry!)

Lyle and Jude fall in love, marry and have a beautiful home together. Then the virus hits. To say any more would spoil the ending. I will say that I was engaged with this book from the first page. I loved the way the author moved between the characters, allowing us to see their life from their eyes, and hearts.

The timeline shift does take a bit of getting used too, but not much. The parallels between the ANA virus, and COVID are strong. Considering this book was copyrighted in 2020, it is easy to see why these parallels can be drawn. It hits very close to home and allows you to not only fear the ANA Zombie virus, but the horror of COVID as well.

The gore factor is enough to garner my very first squeamish alert. Keeping in mind that this is a zombies book, there is bound to be blood and stuff. This book delivers in spades. Or should I say buckets? I can’t tell you how many times my husband heard me say a few words in surprise as I read Elegy. I am so excited that I had the opportunity to review this book.

Elegy will haunt me for a while, and I love that it has that kind of powerful writing. Zombie fans, this is a must read.

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The Night Library at Sternedach – Vampire opera
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The Descent – Halloween novel
Mrs. Morris and the Vampire – Halloween novel
Zero Day Ghost – Techno-thriller
Where the Dead Sleep – Dark mystery, crime thriller

Sue Cook

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Sue Cook lives in Freeport, Illinois with her husband Randy and two dogs. Her passions include assistance dogs, rescue dogs, music, acting, theater, poetry, and Doctor Who. She’s been in both film and theater and is a regular cast member of the podcast Doctor Who’s Line is it….Anyway? Sue is an advocate for the use of Service Dogs to assist their disabled handlers to maintain their independence. Quigley’s Quest, her first children’s book, addresses how a dog becomes a Service Dog.