Reviewed by Kana
Who it's for, and whether it holds up.
My Thoughts on Zombie King Opens a Restaurant in Her Last Days
This novel had a really interesting premise that drew me in. A zombie queen reborn just before the apocalypse, armed with her powers and a magical space for growing food? I was definitely intrigued! "Zombie King Opens a Restaurant in Her Last Days" promised a unique take on the genre, and while it delivered in some aspects, it also stumbled in others.
First Impressions
Initially, I was hooked by the pragmatic MC, Fu Cao. She's not your typical damsel in distress; she's strong from the start and determined to survive. I appreciated her decision to open a restaurant, providing food to humans in exchange for crystal cores, which she needs to power up. The early chapters really set the stage well, establishing the world and the MC's motivations.
What Works Well
I found the concept of a zombie running a restaurant in a post-apocalyptic world quite refreshing. It's a fun twist on the usual survival narrative. The MC's growth from a naive girl in her past life to a strong-willed zombie queen is also compelling. I particularly liked how she doesn't unconditionally help humans, adding a layer of realism to her character. Some of the side characters, like Brother Long and Skinny, are also quite likable and add a heartwarming touch to the story. The story also does well in showing how humans can be prejudiced against zombies, while the true evil lurks among the humans themselves.
Areas of Concern
Unfortunately, the plot seems to become a bit of a mess as the story progresses. There are several subplots that are introduced but then abruptly dropped, leaving plot holes and a sense of incompleteness. I also felt that the ending was rushed, with major character deaths and time skips crammed into the final chapters. This made the ending feel unsatisfying and abrupt. The romance also felt forced, with little development between the MC and the male lead until the very end.
⚠️ Spoiler Warning
Several readers pointed out issues with the latter half of the book, especially the ending. The rivalry between the Space-Time Administration and Anti-Space-Time Administration is brought up but never resolved. Also, the male lead is the zombie that killed the MC in her past life, and they end up together at the very end of the novel.
Final Verdict
"Zombie King Opens a Restaurant in Her Last Days" has an interesting premise and a strong female lead, but it suffers from a rushed plot and an unsatisfying ending. While the beginning is engaging, the story loses its way in the latter half, with several plot holes and underdeveloped subplots. Overall, it's an alright read, but not one I would highly recommend. I'd give it a 3 out of 5 stars.
