Thanks very much to the publisher and Gavin Smith for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this. I was very excited to download this!

As far as apocalyptic zombie novels go, this is one of the best I’ve read. The group of protagonists are a squad of Soviet soldiers who are used to being sent on irregular missions. No average citizen who suddenly is aces at using guns and fighting but combat operatives who actually stand a chance when it comes to surviving zombies.
I liked that the book didn’t launch immediately into man vs zombies as many novels do and that it is set in 1987 not current times. There is no despair at the loss of Facebook, Instagram, instant hand held smart communication or the ability to track events elsewhere in the world in real time the way just anyone can do so now. Already they’re prepared to function with very little information.

The squad has seen its share of combat, has done ‘bad things’, lived a hard life and are functioning well as a team after the loss of their commanding officer. Captain Vadim Scorlenski has taken over and is respected by his soldiers. They’re dispatched to New York to carry out a covert mission, the details of which they don’t know until they arrive and even afterwards find that they were not fully briefed. As a result a lot of humans in New York and around the world turn into zombies. There’s no mention of animal zombies but if a sequel is written I suspect that could then feature. The initial epicentres of infection were begun with aerosolisation and after that Infection is passed on by the traditional bite and is strong enough to keep the infected carrying on beyond death. So head shots are still the only way to stop a zombie. Its mechanism and development is not covered but the progressive effects on the body after death are described realistically. The squad is not happy with how they’ve been used and want payback.

The squad escapes the US and sails to the U.K. where we find that zombies are there too but pockets of survivors do exist. Some are even found in the traditional place of British refuge - the pub! (Did the author like Shaun of the Dead I wonder?)

Although they are a team that has worked together for a long time, there are problems on top of the strain of dealing with a world that has aggressive undead in it. A new member has joined so he has to fit in whilst an established member is being disruptive.

It’s not explained in detail but the US government at least ordered the detonation of nuclear bombs so survivors have radiation to worry about as well as the chomping undead. One is apocalyptic enough but both combined will make the survival of the human race difficult.

Spec Ops Z by Gavin Smith
Pub date 02 Feb 2021

Zombies, check. Military zombies, check. Spetsnaz speaking zombies, check. In case you did not know, Spetsnaz is a Russian language umbrella term for special forces which is used in numerous Russian-speaking post-Soviet states. So, to find them as zombies and have the ability to think and speak makes for a great book!

No spoilers here but the action is fast-paced, very well written, and an excellent read. A combination of military fiction plus zombies is very well told here.

#SpecOpsZ

I just loved this story! I've been waiting awhile now for a new zombie book. This worked. I didn't put too much thought into it, because that may have messed this whole world up! I want more! I found that I became easily attached to these dead soldier's.
When an author can overcome and make me feel for "the big bad," then that's a sign of decent writing!

An outstanding book. Great story and character development. The book kept you wanting more and I could not put it down. I hope this is only the first of the books with this storyline and characters. A must read.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Suspend your beliefs and just enjoy this great book.
Fast paced, yet created with care which really translates when read. The characterisations are strong as is the story, you just need to not question the science or realism and just come along for the ride. I just couldn't read this book quickly enough.