☣️ Apocalyptic

Smooth

✍️ Catt Dahman
Reader Score
4.5
(1 review)
$13.99
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A zombie tale questioning if a world without emotion is truly better.

The story follows Cold Springs as it undergoes a transformation into a state of absolute serenity. This change removes all strong emotions and aggressive behaviors from its residents. Zombies roam near still water, serving as both a threat and a symbol of the old world. Some inhabitants resist this new reality, fighting against the loss of their individuality. The narrative uses this conflict to explore deep questions about human nature. It asks if a life without love or hate is worth living. The author presents these ideas through a supernatural framework that forces characters to confront their own identities. The result is a chilling examination of what it means to be human when all passion is stripped away.

Key Themes
universal neutrality zombie genre emotional suppression
Literary Context

Published independently in 2021, this work sits within the contemporary horror fiction landscape. It reimagines traditional zombie tropes by focusing on psychological and philosophical implications rather than mere survival. The book challenges standard genre expectations by proposing a world devoid of both negative and positive human emotions.

Difficulty
●● Medium
Recommended For Fans Of
H.P. Lovecraft · Thomas Ligotti · Shirley Jackson
☣️
Apocalyptic
🏛 Independently Published 📅 2021 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9798504622057

📝 Description: Smooth

Catt Dahman’s Smooth presents a distinct variation on the zombie genre by exploring the consequences of universal neutrality. The narrative centers on the town of Cold Springs, which receives a gift of full serenity that eliminates violence, greed, hatred, love, and compassion. This shift creates a world where individuals become neutral and complacent in their personalities. The story examines whether such absolute peace improves existence or merely suppresses humanity. The plot involves characters who intend to fight this enforced calm as well as the roaming zombies beside still water. The text suggests that the path to this state is fraught with difficulty, noting that heads will roll literally during the conflict. Dahman structures the tale to challenge readers to consider the value of emotional extremes versus a flat, peaceful existence. The work draws on traditional horror tropes but subverts them by questioning the desirability of a world without passion. This book suits readers interested in philosophical horror and deconstructions of classic monster narratives. It may not appeal to those seeking fast-paced action or traditional redemption arcs. The narrative remains grounded in its specific setting and premise, offering a thought-provoking look at human nature through the lens of supernatural change.

💎 Our verdict on Smooth

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Dahman presents a distinct variation on the zombie tale by exploring universal neutrality in Cold Springs. The narrative effectively subverts traditional horror tropes to ask if a world without hatred or love is truly better. While it lacks fast-paced action, it succeeds as a chilling examination of human nature. The work is best suited for readers who appreciate philosophical depth and deconstructions of classic monster narratives. It offers a grounded, specific premise that forces characters to confront their identities. This approach provides a unique, thought-provoking look at the cost of absolute serenity.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers interested in philosophical horror and psychological deconstructions will find this book rewarding. It offers a unique perspective on the zombie genre by focusing on the loss of individuality rather than physical threat alone. Those who enjoy exploring deep questions about human nature through supernatural frameworks will appreciate the narrative's focus on enforced calm versus passionate existence. It is ideal for readers seeking thought-provoking content that challenges traditional redemption arcs and fast-paced action, preferring instead a chilling examination of identity stripped of passion.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

Dahman presents a distinct variation on the zombie tale by exploring universal neutrality in Cold Springs. The narrative effectively subverts traditional horror tropes to ask if a world without hatred or love is truly better. While it lacks fast-paced action, it succeeds as a chilling examination of human nature. The work is best suited for readers who appreciate philosophical depth and deconstructions of classic monster narratives. It offers a grounded, specific premise that forces characters to confront their identities. This approach provides a unique, thought-provoking look at the cost of absolute serenity.

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