☣️ Apocalyptic

The Z Word

✍️ Lindsay King-Miller
Reader Score
4.6
(1 review)
$35.95
Temporarily out of stock

Currently unavailable

This book is sold out right now. Leave your email — we'll let you know if it comes back, and you'll get 10% off any book today.

In stock now — readers of this book also loved:

The Feeding ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Anthony Ryan
The Feeding
$18.99
86
Semianimus ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.4
1
C R J Smith
Semianimus
$11.00
78
The Dead Chronicles: Book 1 ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
1
Michael Hendricks
The Dead Chronicles: Book 1
$6.99
81
The Reckoning: Book Three: All The Devils Are Here ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
1
Jeffrey Pierce
The Reckoning: Book Three: All The Devils Are Here
$22.95
81
The Ultimate Undead
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Anne Rice
The Ultimate Undead
$37.95
86
The Sandman Cometh ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.4
1
Stuart G Yates
The Sandman Cometh
$27.49
78
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A queer zombie apocalypse story centered on found family and gay drama in Arizona.

King-Miller constructs a narrative where personal heartbreak meets supernatural catastrophe. Wendy’s struggle to define her identity within San Lazaro’s queer scene provides the emotional core. The arrival of the zombie outbreak serves as both a literal threat and a metaphor for societal pressures. The author uses humor and sexual tension to keep the tone engaging despite the grim subject matter. The group’s dynamic shifts from fractured to cohesive as they face external danger. Leah’s presence adds layers of unresolved history and immediate conflict. The story does not shy away from depicting the violence of the infection or the complexity of human relationships during crisis. It highlights how marginalized communities often support each other when institutions fail. The pacing ensures that character development remains central even during high-action sequences.

Key Themes
found family queer community corporate greed
Literary Context

The Z Word sits within the tradition of queer horror fiction, specifically drawing on the 'Zombieland' trope of ensemble survival narratives. It is set in San Lazaro, Arizona, reflecting contemporary American concerns about political corruption and corporate power while celebrating LGBTQ+ resilience and Pride culture.

Difficulty
● Easy
Recommended For Fans Of
Clive Barker · Anne Rice
☣️
Apocalyptic
🏛 Blackstone Publishing 📅 2024 🌐 English 📔 MP3 CD ISBN: 9798212885751

📝 Description: The Z Word

Lindsay King-Miller delivers a queer zombie narrative set in San Lazaro, Arizona. The story follows Wendy, a chaotic bisexual woman navigating life after a painful breakup. Her ex-girlfriend Leah is now involved with members of their social circle, complicating Wendy’s search for belonging within the local queer community. This personal turmoil intensifies when residents begin transforming into violent, mindless husks. The infection spreads rapidly, forcing Wendy to rely on an unlikely group of friends and frenemies. This ensemble includes drag queen Logan, silver fox Beau, sword lesbian Aurelia with her wife Sam, mysterious pizza delivery stoner Sunshine, and Leah herself. Together, they must survive the outbreak while confronting corporate greed, political corruption, and gay drama. The plot tracks their efforts to save Pride and uncover the shocking source of the zombie epidemic. King-Miller combines action, humor, and emotional depth to create a propulsive debut that examines found family dynamics under extreme pressure. The narrative balances supernatural horror with grounded interpersonal conflict. Readers seeking traditional gothic atmospheres or slow-burn psychological terror may find this pace too fast. However, those who enjoy character-driven stories with strong comedic elements and explicit romantic subplots will likely appreciate the blend of genres. The book offers a fresh take on the zombie apocalypse by centering queer experiences and community resilience against systemic threats.

💎 Our verdict on The Z Word

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Lindsay King-Miller delivers a vibrant queer zombie narrative centered on Wendy’s journey through heartbreak and catastrophe in Arizona. The author skillfully uses humor and sexual tension to maintain engagement despite the grim subject matter, ensuring character development remains central even during high-action sequences. The ensemble cast, including drag queen Logan and sword lesbian Aurelia, provides rich interpersonal dynamics that evolve from fractured to cohesive under pressure. While readers seeking traditional gothic atmospheres or slow-burn psychological terror may find the pace too fast, this book excels in examining found family dynamics. It effectively highlights how marginalized groups unite against corporate greed and political corruption, offering a compelling, emotionally resonant experience for fans of genre-blending horror.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who enjoy character-driven narratives with strong comedic elements and explicit romantic subplots will find this book highly appealing. It is ideal for those seeking a propulsive debut that balances supernatural horror with grounded interpersonal conflict. The story offers an engaging blend of action, humor, and emotional depth, making it suitable for audiences interested in how marginalized communities support each other when institutions fail. Those who appreciate gay drama intertwined with high-stakes survival scenarios will likely value the dynamic shifts within the ensemble cast as they confront both external threats and internal tensions.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.6
Based on 1 reviews
5
0
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
H
Horror Reads editorial team

Lindsay King-Miller delivers a vibrant queer zombie narrative centered on Wendy’s journey through heartbreak and catastrophe in Arizona. The author skillfully uses humor and sexual tension to maintain engagement despite the grim subject matter, ensuring character development remains central even during high-action sequences. The ensemble cast, including drag queen Logan and sword lesbian Aurelia, provides rich interpersonal dynamics that evolve from fractured to cohesive under pressure. While readers seeking traditional gothic atmospheres or slow-burn psychological terror may find the pace too fast, this book excels in examining found family dynamics. It effectively highlights how marginalized groups unite against corporate greed and political corruption, offering a compelling, emotionally resonant experience for fans of genre-blending horror.

✍️ More books by this author Lindsay King-Miller

This Is My Body
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Lindsay King-Miller
This Is My Body
$35.95
86
Read →
This Is My Body
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Lindsay King-Miller
This Is My Body
$45.95
81
Read →
This Is My Body
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Lindsay King-Miller
This Is My Body
$17.99
78
Read →
The Z Word
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Lindsay King-Miller
The Z Word
$16.99
78
Read →
The Z Word
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Lindsay King-Miller
The Z Word
$39.95
81
Read →

🏛 Books from this publisher Blackstone Publishing

Halloween Kills: The Official Movie Novelization
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Tim Waggoner
Halloween Kills: The Official Movie Novelization
$39.95
81
Read →
Out of Time
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Matthew Mather
Out of Time
$45.95
78
Read →
Midnight Mass
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
F Paul Wilson
Midnight Mass
$49.95
86
Read →
Secret Santa
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Andrew Shaffer
Secret Santa
$39.95
81
Read →
Bone Harvest
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
James Brogden
Bone Harvest
$55.95
81
Read →
56 Days
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Catherine Ryan Howard
56 Days
$45.95
78
Read →

You might also like

See more →
This Is My Body ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Lindsay King-Miller
This Is My Body
$35.95
86
Read →
The Z Word ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
1
Lindsay King-Miller
The Z Word
$39.95
81
Read →
The Haunting of Hill House ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.8
1
Shirley Jackson
The Haunting of Hill House
$35.95
92
Read →
Kolchak: The Night Stalker ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Jeff Rice
Kolchak: The Night Stalker
$35.95
86
Read →
Midnight Somewhere: A Short-Story Collection ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Johnny Compton
Midnight Somewhere: A Short-Story Collection
$35.95
86
Read →

Have a question about this item?

Ask about the edition, condition, delivery or anything else — we reply by email or phone, usually within a day.

Home Genres
Cart
Wishlist