The Zombie-Driven Life: What in the Apocalypse Am I Here For?

By: David Wood

Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer

Length: 2 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

High school nobody Kenan is doing just fine in the midst of the zombie apocalypse, thank you very much, but when his dream girl Katy comes stumbling around the corner, she turns his world upside-down. David Wood's first foray into young adult fiction is an action-packed horror tale laced with dark humor and even darker thrills.

©2011 David Wood (P)2012 Gryphonwood Press

Critic reviews

"Wood paints a horrific scenario of a world in ruin and a few survivors struggling to find safe havens and a reason to carry on. Powerful and disturbing by turns, with plenty of black humor along the way. The Zombie-Driven Life is a great read." (Alan Baxter, author of RealmShift)

" The Zombie-Driven Life is a fast-paced, zombie story that manages to be thoughtful, humorous, and surprising while giving zombie fans everything they love about the genre-gore, desperate situations and a big body count. The perfect book to devour in a single day." (Jeremy Bishop, author of Torment)

short zombie story

Its a fun read if you like HS Zombies, End of the WORLD AND ALL. Would have liked a little longer read but its a fun one just stay alive

Short but Sweet

Although not very long, this short story had me chuckling quite often. I thought the narration was well done too. I think this is definitely better as an audiobook :-) I like that diary reading format!

Zombies!

This quick little novella in the zombie apocalypse subgenre could easily get lost in the crowd, but it’s worth a read. Kenan was a high school student who never fit in, who has become a survival expert during the apocalypse. He escapes to the countryside and accidentally stumbles upon both the cause of the apocalypse and a hope for salvation. Wood doesn’t offer many new ideas in this book, but the climatic scene is full of tension and quite moving.

I received this book from Free Audio Books in exchange for an honest review.

Surprisingly uplifting!

This is the story of Kenan, a high school "nobody" who is trying to discover his purpose in life after a zombie apocalypse ends the world as he knows it. Loosely modeled after The Purpose Driven Life, Kenan struggles to redefine his world and answer life's toughest questions, all while battling to stay alive. Along the way he encounters danger, friendship, love, sacrifice, death and, of course, a lot of zombies!

Despite its dark theme, this story is humorous and surprisingly uplifting. You will find yourself rooting for Kenan as he comes of age in a very troubled world. The only reason I rated the story four stars instead of five is because the plot feels a little hurried and would benefit from more development. The narration is very well done, bringing Kenan in all of his youthful self-doubt to life.

If you are a fan of young adult novels and zombie tales in the vein of The Walking Dead, you will enjoy this story. At just under three hours, it is a short, action-packed, enjoyable listen.

Not A Bad Zombie Novella

I didn't mind The Zombie-Driven Life. A simple novella that doesn't require much attention. Perfect for putting on in the backgroud while tidying up etc. Pretty straight forward, but still a good story with a good ending. 3.75/5 score.

A good short story

This was an enjoyable short story, obviously the title lets you know that it is set in the zombie apocalypse. It has a touch of everything you want from a short story, details, action, romance, drama and an explanation. Jeffrey Kafer does a good job, this is the first YA book I've heard him narrate and he didn't disappoint.

Life's purpose/dark humor in a Zombie Apocalypse

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the perspective of Kenan. Cynical and and fatalistic while searching for the point of it all. He wasn't some super dude. Just a guy trying to survive and find his way.

Which character – as performed by Jeffrey Kafer – was your favorite?

Chap was the character he (Kafer) did best. His voice for Kenan was decent but he did better with Chap.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There are both funny and sad parts, and as a listener I felt for Kenan in his struggles, triumphs and losses.

Any additional comments?

Originally I read the novel and really enjoyed it (as did my daughter). Decided to get an audiobook version and definately wasn't disappointed.

Enjoyable listen

Decent story, seemed rushed in some areas, would have liked it a bit longer to give the character development a chance.

Love it!

Short and sweet, but I loved it! I'd love to see the author do more with this story! Possibly a prequel to this book. Great narration by Jeffrey Kafer.

Oof not for me

~Disclaimer: I received a free audiobook copy of this book.~


This book was a lot more juvenile than I expected it to be. I understand it is a YA novella, but YA doesn’t have to be juvenile.

The religious talk doesn’t have the depth I think it was aiming for. And is pretty heavy handed.

The book also came off as wish fulfillment as far as how things go for our MC. He isn’t very likable and his view of women is rather....misognistic? “The girls I knew almost all played too many head games for my liking.” He doesn’t really grow in this regard.