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Get Your Favorite Science Fiction and Fantasy Books

Out of the Dark Fantasy Book

Get Your Favorite Science and Fantasy Books from my reviews. I’ve been busy reading and I try to review every book I read. Here are the very best books I’ve read this month.

If you want free audiobooks, you can get them here, through my newsletter by clicking here. If you want a free ebook (and laughter!), just contact me here and I’ll send you one, Zombie Turkeys, my first novel.

Science Fiction and Fantasy Books – You Begin Here

Out of the Dark - SciFi/Fantasy Book
David Weber’s book

David Weber once again creates a page-turning series. This one focuses on an invasion of the Earth by an alien species sent from a galactic empire.

The Earth is devastated. Half the population is killed from kinetic bombardments. Will the Earth surrender?

With vastly superior technology, the alien species is confident of conquest. Too bad humanity doesn’t know how to surrender.

The plot proceeds somewhat predictably but ends with a surprise twist. Some reviewers hated the twist. I liked it. Maybe I’m twisted?

If you like David Weber’s Honor Harrington series or John Ringo’s Posleen series, you’ll probably like this one

Andy Zach’s review on Goodreads and Amazon

Here Comes Your Fantasy Book Review

Song for the Basilisk - Fantasy Book
Song for the Basilisk by Patricia McKillip

This was my second reading of ‘Song for the Basilisk’, the last one was over 20 years ago.

It’s even better the second time. I read it more slowly and understood the political machinations and the mysteries the author presented the reader. Patricia McKillip definitely has the ‘mystery’ + ‘fantasy’ combination to herself.

The premise is simple. There are four factions contending for rulership of the kingdom. The Basilisk slaughters one that has ruled for hundreds of years. One child escapes to a school for the bards.

The bards are musicians, storytellers, and magicians. But they only come to power by going to the hinterlands, where the magic is.

Meanwhile, the Basilisk rules in peace for 37 years. He has several daughters, one of which grows up learning all his magic.

Ms. McKillip brings all the elements together in a dramatic and surprising novel. It’s one of her best and that says a lot.

Review by Andy Zach on Goodreads and Amazon

Your Last Chance to Get My Free AudioBooks

New review for Zombie Turkeys on Audible! Overall 5 out of 5 stars Performance 5 out of 5 stars Story 4 out of…

Posted by Zombie Turkeys on Saturday, March 20, 2021

New review for Zombie Turkeys on Audible!

Overall 5 out of 5 stars

Performance 5 out of 5 stars

Story 4 out of 5 stars

Dumb…silly…juvenile…couldn’t put it down. Comfort food for that juvenile part of you that never quite outgrew your comic books. Just forget that it’s preposterous (after all, you were already warned by the title; what did you expect?), and go with the flow…

Andy 03-20-21 on Audible

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Zombie Apocalypse Recommendations v. Zombie Turkeys

Zombie Apocalypse Recommendations

The CDC has issued Zombie Apocalypse Recommendations. Zombie apocalypse is a common fictional and video game trope. Read their recommendations right here:

Andy Zach told me he'll evaulate this guide against the zombie turkey apocalypse.

Posted by Zombie Turkeys on Friday, March 12, 2021

Naturally, as the author of Zombie Turkeys, I wondered how well their recommendations would with my zombie turkey apocalypse. Let’s take a look.

Zombie Turkeys versus the CDC Zombie Apocalypse Recommendations

For those who aren’t familiar with Zombie Turkeys, here’s the blurb:

Sam Melvin, an underachieving e-reporter from a small town, changes forever when he meets turkeys that won’t stay dead. You can shoot ’em, chop ’em, burn ’em—they come back stronger. The undead plague of poultry spreads uncontrollably, rocking the whole country.

Zombie Turkeys Blurb

So these zombies are a lot worse than regular zombies. They regenerate, they don’t decay. Good luck trying to kill them. Let’s see what the CDC says.

Here is the CDC's Zombie Apocalypse guide. I'll be publishing a commentary on it soon.

Posted by Zombie Turkeys on Sunday, March 14, 2021

Their first recommendation? Be prepared. Have these supplies:

CDC Emergency page.

Water (1 gallon per person per day)

Food (stock up on non-perishable items that you eat regularly)

Medications (this includes prescription and non-prescription meds)

Tools and Supplies (utility knife, duct tape, battery powered radio, etc.)

Sanitation and Hygiene (household bleach, soap, towels, etc.)

Clothing and Bedding (a change of clothes for each family member and blankets)

Important documents (copies of your driver’s license, passport, and birth certificate to name a few)

First Aid supplies (although you’re a goner if a zombie bites you, you can use these supplies to treat basic cuts and lacerations that you might get during a tornado or hurricane)

CDC’s Recommendations

So, how does this stack up to zombie turkeys? Pretty well. One of the recommendations is to stay inside your house or bomb shelter until they go away. All these supplies will help as you hunker down.

Let me know if you have any further ideas. I’ll give you a free Zombie Turkeys book!

Your Next Zombie Apocalypse Recommendation

After your emergency kit you need to have an evacuation plan.

Picture of Family by mailbox
Family members meeting by their mailbox. You should pick two meeting places, one close to your home and farther away
  1. Identify the types of emergencies that are possible in your area. Besides a zombie apocalypse, this may include floods, tornadoes, or earthquakes. If you are unsure contact your local Red Cross chapter for more information.
  2. Pick a meeting place for your family to regroup in case zombies invade your home…or your town evacuates because of a hurricane. Pick one place right outside your home for sudden emergencies and one place outside of your neighborhood in case you are unable to return home right away.
  3. Identify your emergency contacts. Make a list of local contacts like the police, fire department, and your local zombie response team. Also identify an out-of-state contact that you can call during an emergency to let the rest of your family know you are ok.
  4. Plan your evacuation route. When zombies are hungry they won’t stop until they get food (i.e., brains), which means you need to get out of town fast! Plan where you would go and multiple routes you would take ahead of time so that the flesh eaters don’t have a chance! This is also helpful when natural disasters strike and you have to take shelter fast.

How well does this plan handle zombie turkeys? Pretty well, but you need a secure building or location where zombie turkeys can’t reach you. Remember, they can fly and peck through glass. Cinder blocks and bunkers are your friends!

Plan evacuation by car, since they only fly about twenty miles per hour. Try to avoid driving into large flocks, since they can stall your car. That would be very bad.

Your Third Step to Surviving Zombie Turkeys

The CDC’s final recommendation?

If zombies did start roaming the streets, CDC would conduct an investigation much like any other disease outbreak. CDC would provide technical assistance to cities, states, or international partners dealing with a zombie infestation. This assistance might include consultation, lab testing and analysis, patient management and care, tracking of contacts, and infection control (including isolation and quarantine).

It’s likely that an investigation of this scenario would seek to accomplish several goals: determine the cause of the illness, the source of the infection/virus/toxin, learn how it is transmitted and how readily it is spread, how to break the cycle of transmission and thus prevent further cases, and how patients can best be treated. Not only would scientists be working to identify the cause and cure of the zombie outbreak, but CDC and other federal agencies would send medical teams and first responders to help those in affected areas (I will be volunteering the young nameless disease detectives for the field work).

Zombie Apocalypse Recommendations

Get The Final Authority On Zombie Turkeys Here

Getting more information is always good. Read all about it in my book Zombie Turkeys, now on sale for .99.

Finally, don’t miss further zombie apocalypse advice. Subscribe now to my newsletter and get five free audiobooks!

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Science Fiction, Fantasy, or Science? You Decide and Win

Best Science Stories or Science Fiction More Good Things Best Book Reviews

Science Fiction or Science? You Decide and Win – What do you win? Free books! Yes, author Andy Zach is giving free books for right answers.

Author Andy Zach? That’s me.

Science Fiction
Andy Zach in color.

So let’s start with a bang!

Now here is technology that is truly user-friendly!

Posted by Andy Zach on Monday, March 8, 2021

I know, you can’t believe there’s actual info tech that doesn’t require a password to access. You simply manipulate it physically and you can read all the information. Furthermore, it has no power or internet requirements!

Okay, tell me: science fiction, fantasy, or science?

Answering this one will get you this ebook:

Summertime Science Fiction
Click to get the book. Reply to get a free ebook.

But wait! I’ve got more for you!

Science Fiction, Fantasy, or Science?

What’s coming up next for you? This cutting edge technology from the 1950s.

1950s cutting edge tech updated to 2020s leads to hypersonic transport?

Posted by Andy Zach on Thursday, March 11, 2021

Will this get us hypersonic? Or is it more science fiction than science? You tell me and you’ll get a free ebook.

But that’s not all that’s coming your way this month. I’ve also got this for you:

Military scifi–now.

Posted by Andy Zach on Wednesday, March 10, 2021

This has GOT to be science fiction. Aren’t jetpacks a failed technology from the Jetsons? But is it?

Jet packs are natural for the Jetsons

But what do you think of this?

What is this? Science or Science fiction?

Here is something you truly don’t see every day. Tell me your thoughts and I’ll send you Zombie Turkeys.

What’s Next for You?

Punday!

Posted by Andy Zach on Tuesday, March 9, 2021

Okay, I can’t resist puns. But then, what the heck is this next sign?

Posted by Andy Zach on Tuesday, March 9, 2021

Just when you think you’ve got a bead on what I’m sending you, there’s this:

Posted by Andy Zach on Monday, March 8, 2021

The Final Item: Not Science Fiction

I must share one of my favorite fantasy books with you.

My review comes next

This was my second reading of ‘Song for the Basilisk’, the last one was over 20 years ago.

It’s even better the second time. I read it more slowly and understood the political machinations and the mysteries the author presented to the reader. Patricia McKillip definitely has the ‘mystery’ + ‘fantasy’ combination to herself.

The premise is simple. There are four factions contending for rulership of the kingdom. The Basilisk, a magical ruler, slaughters one that has ruled for hundreds of years. One child escapes to a school for the bards.

The bards are musicians, storytellers, and magicians. But they only come to power by going to the hinterlands, where the magic is.

Meanwhile, the Basilisk rules in peace for 37 years. He has several daughters, one of which grows up learning all his magic.

Ms. McKillip brings all the elements together in a dramatic and surprising novel. It’s one of her best and that says a lot.

Andy Zach’s Review

One More Gift For You

Here you go. Five free audiobooks, just for joining my newsletter. Enjoy!

Life After Life Chronicles - Science Fiction
Enjoy all four novels in audiobook, paperback, or Kindle format!