High Water

Name: High Water
Price: 5.40 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781502565921

✍️ R W Tucker

Reader Score

4.4

(1 review)

$5.40

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A microbiology student fights zombies at a New Jersey waterpark while high on cannabis.

This work examines the intersection of academic pressure and supernatural horror through the lens of Peter Sharpe. As a microbiology grad student, Peter possesses scientific knowledge that might typically aid in understanding an outbreak. However, his life is dominated by cannabis consumption and kung fu training with Walter. The story unfolds at a local waterpark where a creepy cat lady introduces a freakish disease. This event triggers a zombie outbreak that threatens the lives of Peter, his girlfriend Liz, and Walter. The narrative explores whether these characters can overcome their impaired states to survive. It questions the efficacy of traditional survival skills when the mind is clouded by THC haze. The plot relies on the tension between Peter's scientific background and his altered perception.

Key Themes

zombie outbreak cannabis culture waterpark horror

Literary Context

Set in New Jersey, this 2014 publication reflects contemporary American youth culture. It merges academic life with recreational drug use and martial arts. The story utilizes the waterpark setting to create a unique backdrop for supernatural terror.

Difficulty

● Easy

Recommended For Fans Of

Max Brooks · Joe Hill · Thomas Ligotti

☣️

Apocalyptic

🏛 Createspace Independent Publishing Platform 📅 2014 📖 106 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781502565921

📝 Description: High Water

R W Tucker presents a horror narrative centered on Peter Sharpe, a microbiology graduate student in New Jersey. The story follows his daily routine of kung fu practice with his best friend Walter and his preparation for a new job. This ordinary existence shifts when a woman with a strange illness arrives at a local waterpark. The resulting outbreak transforms the setting into a waterlogged zone of zombie terror. Peter must rely on his girlfriend Liz and Walter to survive the chaos. The characters face these threats while operating under the influence of THC, which complicates their ability to function effectively in such a dangerous environment. The novel draws upon the zombie apocalypse tradition, blending supernatural horror with contemporary subcultures. It examines how individuals cope with sudden catastrophe when their usual coping mechanisms are impaired. The narrative focuses on survival within a specific geographic and social context, highlighting the intersection of academic life, martial arts discipline, and recreational drug use. Tucker structures the plot around the escalating threat posed by the infected cat lady and the subsequent spread of disease. This approach grounds the supernatural elements in a recognizable, albeit altered, reality for the protagonist.

💎 Our verdict on High Water

“

🩸

Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

R.W. Tucker delivers a distinct entry in zombie fiction by focusing on the internal chaos of its protagonist rather than just external gore. The book excels at highlighting the irony of having scientific expertise while being chemically incapacitated, creating a unique tension that drives the plot forward. It suits readers who prefer horror with a touch of absurdity and character-driven stakes over pure action. While the setting is familiar, the specific combination of microbiology, martial arts, and cannabis culture provides a novel lens through which to view survival horror, making it an intriguing choice for genre enthusiasts seeking variety.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who enjoy unconventional takes on the zombie genre will find this narrative compelling due to its unique premise of impaired survival. Those interested in the psychological effects of substance use during catastrophic events will appreciate the tension between Peter's scientific knowledge and his altered state. Fans of dark comedy blended with genuine horror may also engage with the juxtaposition of kung fu discipline against a THC-induced haze. It offers a fresh perspective on classic tropes by grounding them in specific, relatable contemporary anxieties about academic pressure and social subcultures.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

R.W. Tucker delivers a distinct entry in zombie fiction by focusing on the internal chaos of its protagonist rather than just external gore. The book excels at highlighting the irony of having scientific expertise while being chemically incapacitated, creating a unique tension that drives the plot forward. It suits readers who prefer horror with a touch of absurdity and character-driven stakes over pure action. While the setting is familiar, the specific combination of microbiology, martial arts, and cannabis culture provides a novel lens through which to view survival horror, making it an intriguing choice for genre enthusiasts seeking variety.