First published back in October of 2016, Scott McGlasson’s novella ‘Nock’ formed the tenth instalment within the ‘Year Of The Zombie’ series which saw a zombie story published (in ebook format) each month of 2016 from a variety of different horror authors. All twelve stories were later collected together and published within the ‘Year Of The Zombie’ (2018) anthology (which was also published in paperback format).
DLS Synopsis:
DLS Review:
DLS Synopsis:
As a sixteen-year-old, Stace Tomlison was young for considering the Ranger field trials. However, of the fifty Rangers that patrolled the entire Shawnee Forest for ferals and signs of ‘Rauder camps, her father was Shawnee Lodge’s most well-known Ranger and undisputably their best archer by a long stretch. As such, Stace was in the fortunate position of having Rob Tomlison to provide her training.
Since the world changed, and the dead became the feral undead, pockets of survivors had been trying to eke out a living, fortify their communities, and protect their loved ones from the threat of ferals as well as attack from Rauders. Located in what had once been Southern Ohio, Shawnee Lodge had become a fortified stronghold that has stood the test of time. Nevertheless, the stronghold was still at risk, no matter how prepared they were.
In many ways, over the last decade, life had reverted to a simpler way of existing. Although for Stace, the idea of a life assigned to crops and crafts instead of running through forests outside the security wall, was not one she would relish. For her, becoming a Ranger was everything. Walking in her father’s shoes. Living up to her father’s name.
However, the pressure of her father’s expectations was taking its toll on Stace. She was desperate to prove her worth, to show that she could kill the ferals just as well as the next Ranger. That Shawnee Lodge needed her.
With the field trials coming up the following week, it’s now or never. That is, until all hell breaks loose. And it was a threat like nothing they’ve seen for over a decade. A swarm is on its way…
Oh, here’s a solid slice of post-apocalyptic zombie action, if ever there was on! Somewhat akin to ‘28 Years Later’ (2025) in many ways, only with a sort of reversion to the middle ages within it. Indeed, instead of horses and carts we have docile zombies pulling the wagons, ploughing the fields, and turning the wheels that drive Shawnee Lodge’s various industries.
Honestly, considering its condensed page count, McGlasson has managed to cram an absolute fuck tonne into this novella. He’s established a whole new era of man, a community, and a way of life. Although this is essentially the backdrop to the plot regarding the zombie swarm, and indeed Stace’s short coming-of-age story thread, it’s nevertheless one of the principal driving factors to the plot as a whole.
At the forefront of all of this we have Stace and her father Rob Tomlinson – Ranger extraordinaire. With Rob we have the action, the fight, the hero of the piece. Or at least for some time, until Stace comes into her own. With Stace herself we have a sort of Katniss Everdeen type of character – i.e. the lass from ‘The Hunger Games’ (2008). And even with such a short page count, we still see these two characters fleshed out and brought to life.
So yeah, the survivors fight with bow and arrow as well as axes and blades. It’s all very middle ages in that respect. The fortifications are also of middle age type of construct. Huge walls protective made from timber. Spear and archers defending the stronghold. Goddamn is it good stuff!
The pacing is spot on. The investment we have in the characters is second to none. The twin plots – Stace’s coming-of-age, along with the approaching zombie swarm – work perfectly in unison together. It’s quite simply a fucking good post-apocalyptic read!
The novella runs for a total of 61 pages.
© DLS Reviews
