An Absurdist's Guide to the Undead

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

Being a vampire has its perks, like immortality and superpowers. It’s a shame there’s no in-built manual on how to use any of them.‘An Absurdist’s Guide to the Undead’is a psychological/mystery following Zach Manchester, a vampire who failed at playing god. After finding his lover dead in his arms with no memories of what happened, he tries turning her to bring her back only for it to backfire horribly. Instead of the peaceful reunion he’d begged for, Victoria awoke screaming. Writhing in agony. Decaying.

Months of trying to fix the husk Victoria had become begin to drive Zach to the edge. It’s only right when he’s ready to give up that he runs into a stranger with an uncanny familiarity to her. Autumn Laurence remembers things she shouldn’t, knows secrets only Victoria would, and carries a simmering resentment towards Zach.

As he spirals deeper into grief-fueled obsession, Zach’s search for answers drags him down a rabbit hole of underground vampire networks, false loyalties, and the suffocating realisation that as absurd as everything may be, giving up feels like the far crazier option.

(Author's note: Hi, so this is my first time writing anything ever, really, so the story's not meant to be taken super seriously or professionally. If there's any slight errors or ways I could've written things differently, that's okay, because this is just for fun. I don't plan on publishing this fiction, it's just a way for me to get into the writing zone yknow? Anyways thank you for the continued support!!)

Information

Status: Completed
Year: 2025
Author: karsonhibbert

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.2/ 5.0
Followers: 253
Views: 26,193

Reviews

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Community Reviews(4)

BrustBizepsAnabolikaRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I cannot for the life of me express how much I like this story lol. The character writing is absolutely superb. Their psychological depth is just astounding. The concept is great, and it is executed flawlessly.
The characters behave realistically, like flawed teenagers would, and yet I never feel like anyone has been handed the idiot ball. This is an issue I often see in other stories when authors try to write "flawed" characters, but it is not present here at all. This kind of execution of pretty flawed and multi-layered characters is actually something that I have very rarely seen executed so well in my years of reading (fan) fiction online, so huge props to the author for that!
I also like the thriller / suspension aspect of piecewise finding out more and more about what happened to Tori. Also, the continuous reveal of how this specific iteration of vampirism works, learning alongside the characters, is just great. Especially compared to many other romantic vampire slop stories on this site lol. Just a hugely enjoyable story overall, and the best in its specific niche I have read so far!
Of course, the grammar and spelling is flawless as well, so no complaints there. It really is just an excellent story overall. Highly recommend!
RexjimmyRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Simple lovely. I like the characters, they are a going though something as I would imagine anyone going though what is happening to them not even has the some idea and opinion like they are just the same character with different name and kill sets. The plot has had quite good pacing with the flashback and the continuation of the main plot.
don't have much else to add then it's a good read
pinkglitchrabbitRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This story is written beautifully. From the first chapter it is captivating, setting a tone that is both haunting and deeply emotional. The pacing is executed well, not too fast and not too slow. Allowing the readers to fully absorb the emotions that the scenes are bringing out.
Seeing the main character, Zach's, struggles make this undead young man seem more human, more alive than some characters in other vampire novels. The guilt and consequences of his past choices linger and shadow over him quite literally. His journey isn't just a simple redemption arc, but rather a raw and painful exploration of consequence, responsibility, and burden of past mistakes.
The story doesn't shy away from real difficult emotions, it shows it plainly and I appreciate that. It makes sure that the audience feels the weight of the consequences that choice has brought, and that for me is beautiful.
What makes this stand out is that it refuses to sugarcoat the reality of pain, suffering, guilt, and consequences. It highlights those emotions and how it can affect not only the people involved but also those around them.
This is a masterpiece in the making. A story that deserves recognition.
I cannot wait to see where it goes next. If you haven't started reading yet, what are you waiting for? Don't sleep on this, you're going to miss out on something special!
EvilLittleThingRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
The title and blurb description are a bit misleading. The limited humor in this story is like bread in the Soviet Union - dark and not everyone gets it.
Karsonhinbert is skilled at pushing plot through character development, but oh boy all the characters are just so fucked up. I'd say they needed therapy, but their therapist would end up being a codependent, murderous cultists or something.
This story is immersive and captivating, and may give you loving nightmares. Half a star off because I woke up from a nightmare last night and spent a couple hours contemplating a previous abusive relationship while subjecting myself to more traumatizing chapters.
The vampires in this story apparently all have borderline personality disorder (which is actually pretty reasonable, considering), and they are so well-written I am concerned for karsonhibbert's mental health (and maybe physical safety).
This is not a feel-good story. It's a glorious punishment with just enough sunshine breaking through the clouds to keep each chapter a sprint towards the cliff from which we will inevitably hang.