Zero Lives Remaining Review

Zero Lives Remaining: A Haunted Arcade Story by Adam Cesare

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


As a kid, I have memories of a place called DG’s arcade. I was born in the late 80’s, so I didn’t have much time with the arcade scene before the bells tolled upon it; Zero Lives remaining is a horrifying homage to those wonderful establishments.

I picked up Zero Lives Remaining in hopes of a nostalgia filled experience, and thankfully, that’s exactly what Adam Cesare delivered. ZLR differs from Cesare’s previous nostalgia fest in that it’s not set in the past, rather it’s set in a modern place designed to feel like a blast from the past.

ZLR starts off quick, following the untimely demise of Funcave employee Robby Asaro. Asaro never moves on from his death, remaining ever watchful of The Funcave. Fast forward to present times, where the well intentioned ghost of Asaro sets forth a series of events which turn him from a friendly ghost to a power hungry, mean spirited entity of death.

What’s written here is an incredibly fun play on the haunted house sub-genre. None of the characters were especially memorable, however they serve their purpose of being cattle for the slaughter well. The deaths come quick, are imaginative, and fun to read. They are gory, but they fit the tone of the book well. Cesare is an expert at mingling nostalgia, pop culture references from multiple time periods, and horror. He proved it with Video Night, and it’s on display here again, although on a smaller scale. The story ends on a high note, wrapping up before it becomes drawn out.

With Zero Lives Remaining, Adam Cesare has written another nostalgia fueled horror romp. The story within is a lean, blood-soaked affair meant for fans of the arcade scene. I don’t think it’s necessary to have been on the ground floor of the arcade scene to enjoy this book, but i do believe it will enhance your experience

4/5 stars