Gladiator

Reach for this book if you have a teenager who is wrestling with the complexities of moral integrity in an unfair world or who enjoys high-stakes metaphors for social justice. This sixth installment in the Zom-B series follows B Smith, a revitalized zombie who has chosen to fight for humanity, only to be captured and forced into a gladiatorial arena by corrupt survivors. The story explores the grit required to maintain one's values when society has collapsed and others are profiting from cruelty. While it is a horror novel with significant gore, it serves as a powerful entry point for discussing systemic injustice, the corruption of power, and the refusal to become what one's oppressors want. It is best suited for older teens who can handle intense action and dark themes while reflecting on the heavy ethical choices the protagonist faces.