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xterminal's review
3.0
Gerald Rice, 30 Minute Plan (Gerald Rice, 2011)
30 Minute Plan has one of the more interesting, not to mention pragmatic, premises in military zombie fiction—if you get infected, you have a half-hour to off yourself, or one of your squadmates will do it for you. (Thus, the 30-minute plan.) That is just one facet of the originality to be found here, which is both a surprise and a pleasure to read; Rice has managed to cook up something that you haven't actually seen before in the horribly oversaturated world of zombie lit, and that is praiseworthy indeed. He's not a great writer, but given time and practice he could get there; the story has some pacing and plotting problems, but nothing that wouldn't be straightened out by some workshops, writing classes, etc., and he's obviously got a headfull of excellent ideas. Gerald Rice has a good deal of potential. Will be looking forward to seeing what he produces down the road. ** ½
30 Minute Plan has one of the more interesting, not to mention pragmatic, premises in military zombie fiction—if you get infected, you have a half-hour to off yourself, or one of your squadmates will do it for you. (Thus, the 30-minute plan.) That is just one facet of the originality to be found here, which is both a surprise and a pleasure to read; Rice has managed to cook up something that you haven't actually seen before in the horribly oversaturated world of zombie lit, and that is praiseworthy indeed. He's not a great writer, but given time and practice he could get there; the story has some pacing and plotting problems, but nothing that wouldn't be straightened out by some workshops, writing classes, etc., and he's obviously got a headfull of excellent ideas. Gerald Rice has a good deal of potential. Will be looking forward to seeing what he produces down the road. ** ½
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