Z.E.O. A Zombie's Guide to Getting A(Head) in Business

R.I.P VI Challenge  (R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril VI Challenge) Is hosted by Carl over at Stainless Steel Droppings

Peril The First

Read four books, any length, that you feel fit (my very broad definitions) of R.I.P. literature. It could be Stephen King or Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Ian Fleming or Edgar Allan Poe…or anyone in between.

Written By: Scott Kenemore

Copyright: 2009

Publisher: Fall River Press

Hard Cover Pages: 254

Illustrated By: Adam Bozarth

Z.E.O. is a personal guide to getting a(head) in business...Zombie style ;) Upon seeing the cover at my favorite bookseller, I instantly thought it would R.I.P appropriate. The price was right, the time was right, so I picked it up. 

It's divided into two sections...Business Tactics of Zombies, and Your Quarterly Guide to Becoming a Z.E.O. in One Year, along with an introduction and the authors final thoughts. 

Chapters range in topic from Zombie Time Management, to Crisis Control, to Self Motivation and I must say...everything in between. Comprehensive, would be the word I'm looking for...and It's loaded with kick a$$ Zombie illustrations!!! ;)

Believe it or not, this book is also loaded with sound business advise. If you've ever read a "Getting Ahead in Business" book before, you'll certainly get a familiar vibe from Z.E.O., but presenting those ideas in a way that compares business tactics to a Zombie's technique for acquiring brains puts a whole new twist on it, don't you think?

The way I see it: Z.E.O. is a quintessential spoof on so many duuuuull, boooooring business books. It offers a feast for the brain (valuable information) aaaaand a feast for the eyes (lots of bloody zombie illustrations), who could ask for more?

The bad, the bad, and the ugly: Unfortunately, (if you posses a sense of humor like mine) this is NOT a book to read in public places. My laughing out loud caused many a stare in the waiting room at the doctors office...be warned :o

Favorite Bits: 

"A zombie is a successful leader because it never looses sight of it's ultimate goal, and it never compromises (like by eating just part of a brain, or a monkeys brain if no humans are handy)"

Number 35 of the 48 "Laws of Power" Master the Art of Timing- "Knowing when to strike is key to being powerful and getting ahead. Zombies provide copious examples of exactly when and where to strike. You can sneak up and eat the brain of the dedicated cop anytime during his beat, but if it's on the night he just proposed to his girlfriend and found out he got into law school, then trust me, his brain is going to taste even sweeter." 

Sun Tzu's The Art of War, "Attack him where he is unprepared--appear where you are not expected." "Zombies are masters of popping up where people don't expect them and (more importantly) aren't equipped to deal with them. Zombies climb through holes in masonry and shuffle into houses where defenseless humans are waiting. They walk underwater (occasionally fighting sharks), and decimate weaponless tourists on tropical islands. Zombies take "business" to people, even if people aren't expecting it."

Love it or Leave it: I may not be quite right in the head, but I Looooved this book. It was delightful and incredibly funny. Be aware that I am partial to off color humor, but I have to say, I highly recommend this book :)

Ga-Rei -Zero- Anime Series Review

R.I.P VI Challenge  (R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril VI Challenge) Is hosted by Carl over at Stainless Steel Droppings

Peril on the Screen:

This Peril was added last year and proved to be popular, and so it returns. This is for those of us that like to watch suitably scary, eerie, mysterious gothic fare during this time of year. It may be something on the small screen or large. It might be a television show, like Dark Shadows, or your favorite film. If you are so inclined, please post links to any R.I.P.-related viewing you do on to the book review site as well.

Will you kill someone you love, because of love?

Ga-Rei-Zero

Studio: Funimation Prod Inc

Creator: Hajime Segawa

This anime series serves as a Prequel to the manga, Ga-Rei by Hajime Segawa. It depicts the life of Yomi before....well lets just say, before she had been attacked....and her strong sisterly bond to Kagura.

After the death of Kagura Tsuchimiyas' mother, she's sent to live, and train with Yomi and her adopted father. Kagura is destined to be a guardian protector, and will be part of an organization that  exists to protect Japan from the demons that wish to terrorize, posses, and destroy it's people. She most grow strong enough to inherit and control the most powerful of spirit beasts. 

Yomi Isayama, also a guardian, is a bit of a prodigy. Her adopted father has decided that she will one day be head of the family, and has prearranged an advantageous marriage for her, as well as bequeathed to her his most valued spirit beast. 

As they train, she and Kagura become like sisters who would do anything for one another.....that is.....until things go terribly wrong. 

The way I see it: This series gives me the same vibe as The Black Chalice (previous review). It has that very dark, twisted feel about it. Having not previously read Ga Rei, I was totally taken off guard by how the events unfurled.

The bad, the bad, and the ugly: Just a tiny bit of cheesiness...but certainly not enough to have a negative effect on the series.

Love it or Leave it: Oh so loved it. The characters were full of inner turmoil, It was visually feast worthy, and there's action to spare :) Ya just can't go wrong with that.

Malory's Knights of Albion-The Black Challice

R.I.P VI Challenge  (R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril VI Challenge) Is hosted by Carl over at Stainless Steel Droppings

Peril The First

Read four books, any length, that you feel fit (my very broad definitions) of R.I.P. literature. It could be Stephen King or Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Ian Fleming or Edgar Allan Poe…or anyone in between.

Written By: Steven Savile

Copyright: 2011

Publisher:  Abaddon Books

Paperback Pages:  293

Malory’s Knights of Albion appears to be a series of stories found in an old church as it had been cleared for renovation. It is claimed to be the Second Book of King Arthur and His Noble Knights, with a different author translating each separate story. It comes complete with appendixes illustrating the story of how the second book was found, and also more about the adult life of the main character. It's very believable, and intended to honor Sir Thomas Malory.

This is the story of Alymere, a young boy on his way to Camelot to become a knight, and pledge his loyalty to King Arthur. Alymere is a beautiful innocent boy, but he is also very hurt...and very angry with his uncle whom he believes has usurped his fathers title and taken all that should have belonged to him. Alymere becomes a pawn in a game much greater than he comprehends, and the players are the very dark and scary kind. In the end he must decide between great evil, or ultimately... redemption.

The way I see it: This story revolves around choices, and the aftermath of those choices. When my daughter recommended it, I pictured cookie-cutter King Arthur and the Knights of the round table. I couldn't have been more mistaken. It's dark and manipulative, yet keeps you clinging to the chance there may still be hope....just a little bit of light still lingering. 

The bad, the bad, and the ugly: If I told you my idea of the BBU (bad bad ugly) It would be a terrible spoiler...so alas...I will not. Let's just say that the ending was not what I wanted to happen, but it' what had to happen.

Love it or Leave it: Despite myself I loved this story. I loved Alymere and all of his flaws. He was tragically beautiful. As far as the book goes, I have to say this is a very fast read...even for one so literarily challenged as I...lol Plus, the chapters are on the short side and many of them end in mini cliffhangers! But keep in mind...Alymere's story is very RIP appropriate ;) 

Oh, and I also learned a new term...pastiche, An artistic work in a style that imitates that of another work, artist, or period.

Love it when that happens :D