The Dark Times: A Zombie Novel

Name: The Dark Times: A Zombie Novel
Price: 12.95 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781925225457

✍️ P A Douglas

Reader Score

4.4

(1 review)

$12.95

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A gritty novel about a cop turned biker facing a second zombie wave.

Rico Cruz starts as a drinking cop but becomes a survivor after the first war ends. He rides his motorcycle to escape his past, only to face a new crisis. The seeds of the earlier conflict germinate into a fresh plague. Millions turn into flesh eating zombies again. Douglas structures the narrative around Rico's physical and mental transformation. The story emphasizes the speed of the collapse and the brutality of the undead. It draws on the tradition of sudden societal breakdown and personal redemption through action. The book is organized as a continuous sequence of events rather than a slow build. Readers find themselves in the middle of the chaos immediately. There are no long periods of safety or quiet reflection. The focus remains on the relentless pressure of the new outbreak.

Key Themes

zombie apocalypse personal redemption societal collapse

Literary Context

This 2014 release from Severed Press fits the American tradition of gritty zombie fiction. It reflects a period where the genre moved toward faster paced, more visceral narratives focusing on immediate survival rather than long term political commentary.

Difficulty

● Easy

Recommended For Fans Of

Max Brooks · John Langan · Ramsey Campbell · True Crime Narratives

☣️

Apocalyptic

🏛 Severed Press 📅 2014 📖 272 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781925225457

📝 Description: The Dark Times: A Zombie Novel

P A Douglas writes The Dark Times, a zombie novel published by Severed Press in 2014. The story follows Rico Cruz, an overweight police officer who begins drinking whisky at a local pub when the initial zombie outbreak occurs. The living win this first war quickly, but one third of the population contracts a mysterious illness. Rico decides to change his life, losing weight and riding his Harley for adventure. His journey is cut short when seeds from the previous conflict produce new zombies that turn millions into flesh eaters. Douglas presents a gritty and edgy narrative that moves with speed. The plot forces characters into gut wrenching dilemmas and difficult decisions. This book suits readers who want fast paced action and harrowing scenarios during a zompocalypse. It may not appeal to those seeking slow character studies or hopeful endings. The text focuses on survival and the immediate consequences of the undead threat without slowing down for exposition.

💎 Our verdict on The Dark Times: A Zombie Novel

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🩸

Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

P A Douglas delivers a visceral experience in this zombie novel, prioritizing speed and brutality over character introspection. The narrative structure forces readers into the middle of the chaos immediately, creating an immersive sense of urgency. Douglas excels at depicting the sudden collapse of society and the physical toll on survivors like Rico Cruz. While it lacks slow character studies or hopeful endings, it succeeds in its goal of relentless tension. The book is best suited for readers who prefer immediate action and harrowing scenarios over traditional horror pacing. It effectively captures the edgy tone of a second wave outbreak.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking fast-paced action and harrowing scenarios during a zompocalypse will find this book rewarding. It offers a gritty narrative that moves with speed, forcing characters into gut-wrenching dilemmas and difficult decisions without slowing down for exposition. This title is ideal for those who want to be thrust immediately into chaos rather than enduring long periods of safety or quiet reflection. The focus remains on the relentless pressure of the new outbreak and the physical transformation of the protagonist. It appeals to fans of psychological horror and dark fantasy who appreciate brutal honesty in survival stories.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

P A Douglas delivers a visceral experience in this zombie novel, prioritizing speed and brutality over character introspection. The narrative structure forces readers into the middle of the chaos immediately, creating an immersive sense of urgency. Douglas excels at depicting the sudden collapse of society and the physical toll on survivors like Rico Cruz. While it lacks slow character studies or hopeful endings, it succeeds in its goal of relentless tension. The book is best suited for readers who prefer immediate action and harrowing scenarios over traditional horror pacing. It effectively captures the edgy tone of a second wave outbreak.