Joss' life sucks. She's
in the middle of university exams and student loan debt when she'd much
rather be watching the zombie movies she loves. So it's no surprise that
when she tells her roommates that she's been attacked by a swarm of
real-life, brain-hungering zombies--zombies!--they think the stress has
finally cracked her.
But Joss knows she's sane--and it's a good thing, too! Because the zombies are real,
and she's the only one who knows how to fight them. Armed with "The
Rules," truths about fighting the undead gleaned from zombie movies,
Joss, Sonnet and Robyn just might make it out of their dorm alive. -Plot summary borrowed from Goodreads
Anglophile protagonist. Close knit group of misfits. Zombies as metaphors for current life issues. Frequent pop-culture callbacks. Mutant Enemies that say "grr argh!" Yeah, it's safe to say that I am completely in love with this one. It's a quick read and you can kind of tell that this began as a webcomic, but you'll have too much fun to mind. If you're a fan of Shaun of the Dead or Scott Pilgrim (I'll give a cookie to anyone who leaves the connection between the two in the comments) I think you'll enjoy this one.
R is a young man with an
existential crisis--he is a zombie. He shuffles through an America
destroyed by war, social collapse, and the mindless hunger of his undead
comrades, but he craves something more than blood and brains. He can
speak just a few grunted syllables, but his inner life is deep, full of
wonder and longing. He has no memories, no identity, and no pulse. Just
dreams.
After experiencing a teenage boy's memories while
consuming his brain, R makes an unexpected choice that begins a tense,
awkward, and strangely sweet relationship with the victim's human
girlfriend. Julie is a burst of vibrant color in the otherwise dreary
and gray landscape that R lives in. His decision to protect her will
transform not only R, but his fellow Dead, and perhaps their whole
lifeless world.
Scary, funny, and surprisingly poignant, Warm Bodies is about being alive, being dead and the blurry line in between. -Plot summary borrowed from Goodreads
You know when you find a book at exactly the right time, and things just gel? I can't remember the last time I was so pulled into a book, not just for it's likable characters or snappy dialogue, but because I cared so deeply about what was happening in the world of the book, in our world, or when I felt like I completely agreed with and understood the author's point. I love how well Marion uses zombies as a metaphor without seeming pretentious or heavy-handed- partially that's because his zombies seem original while still being familiar and often terrifying. I loved the language in this book, too: “I want to change my punctuation. I long for exclamation marks, but I'm drowning in ellipses.”
“There is a chasm between me and the world outside of me. A gap so wide
my feelings can't cross it. By the time my screams reach the other side,
they have dwindled into groans.”
“Of course, if I don't eat all of him, if I spare his brain, he'll rise up and
follow me back to the airport, and that might make feel better. I'll
introduce him to everyone, and maybe we'll stand around and groan for a
while. It's hard to say what 'friends' are any more, but that might be
close.”
If you haven't already guessed, while there is plenty of humor, most of it is of the very dark variety. Don't be fooled though, this is no cynical snarkfest. There is genuine heart here, under the tasty brains that will make you relive that day you owned the discussion in English class because you "totally get what the author is saying, man."
Then again, I say all that but COMPLETELY missed the bones of a famous play that are shallowly buried here. (Hey guys, did you know The Lion King is "Hamlet"?!) I think I'm glad I did, actually, I loved it on its own and might have been distracted if I knew to look for more references.
I love R. I love Isaac Marion. I love that I get to use the phrase ZomRomCom again to describe the upcoming feature film adaptation. Who would have thought that phrase would be resurrected post-Shaun of the Dead? Speaking of the King of the Zombies, Simon Pegg contributed a blurb for this book which I think sums it up perfectly: “A mesmerizing evolution of a classic contemporary myth.”
The year is 1876, and there’s something strange and deadly loose in Philadelphia…
Eleanor
Fitt has a lot to worry about. Her brother has gone missing, her family
has fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off
to any rich young man who walks by. But this is nothing compared to
what she’s just read in the newspaper—
The Dead are rising in Philadelphia.
And then, in a frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor…from her brother.
Whoever
is controlling the Dead army has taken her brother as well. If Eleanor
is going to find him, she’ll have to venture into the lab of the
notorious Spirit-Hunters, who protect the city from supernatural forces.
But as Eleanor spends more time with the Spirit-Hunters, including
their maddeningly stubborn yet handsome inventor, Daniel, the situation
becomes dire. And now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her
very life may hang in the balance. -Plot summary borrowed from Goodreads Well, that pretty much sums it up. There's a lot to like here- steampunky devices, an increasingly plucky heroine, shuffling corpses, and some pretty Baritsu-tastic fight scenes (short of a cricket bat, a parasol might be my new favorite zombie weapon). There's also a lot of talk about electricity, especially in terms of battling the undead, which makes me long for a book with Tesla traveling the world fighting eldritch forces of supernatural dread.
The writing reminded me a bit of the fan-fiction flavor shared by another YA steampunk book: The Girl in the Steel Corset. However, where that was a bit of let-down, I enjoyed this one much more, and I liked it more as I got further into it. Speaking of readalikes, if you enjoyed Masque of the Red Death (the Bethany Griffin YA book, not the Poe novella) you would probably also enjoy Something Strange.
It's not a zombie book either- I've seen some reviews where readers were disappointed on that score. It's more alternate history with necromancy, voodoo and some new concepts for good measure. For those who enjoy well-researched period pieces with a twist, this is a great series opener.
Sam leads a pretty
normal life. He may not have the most exciting job in the world, but
he's doing all right—until a fast food prank brings him to the attention
of Douglas, a creepy guy with an intense violent streak.
Turns
out Douglas is a necromancer who raises the dead for cash and sees
potential in Sam. Then Sam discovers he’s a necromancer too, but with
strangely latent powers. And his worst nightmare wants to join forces . .
. or else.
With only a week to figure things out, Sam needs all
the help he can get. Luckily he lives in Seattle, which has nearly as
many paranormal types as it does coffee places. But even with newfound
friends, will Sam be able to save his skin? -Plot summary borrowed from Goodreads Hurray, more irreverent supernatural happenings/paranormal investigation/ensemble fun! This book is filled to bursting with music references, laugh out loud moments, bizarre dialogue ("So, you're telling me the zoo commissioned you to make a zombie panda in order to avoid a potential international incident."), supernatural beings, setting-specific Seattle details, and waffles.
I really enjoyed this book, especially believable drop-out Sam and tough as nails were-pack-leader-to-be Brid, but there were a few first book bumps (POV characters narrated some chapters I wasn't especially interested in which sometimes slowed Sam's more interesting plot, etc). Happily, from peeking at a few reviews of the sequel, Necromancing the Stone, McBride's second offering is a bit more polished.
If you liked some of the other books I've reviewed like The Raven Boys, Paranormalcy, or Anna Dressed in Blood, or if your idea of TV goodness includes True Blood and Dead Like Me, give this snarky series-opener a shot.
"In a future world,
vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for
the key to save humanity."Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the
outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge
for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.
Some days,
all that drives Allie is her hatred of "them." The vampires who keep
humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked--and
given the ultimate choice. Die...or become one of the monsters.
Faced
with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To
survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most
important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.
Then
Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There
she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend--a possible
cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the
rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.
But
it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might
see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what--and
who--is worth dying for." -Plot summary borrowed from Goodreads Hmmm.... Ok, I'm still not sure about this book. There are plenty of things to love: a tough as nails Japanese-American vampire heroine (with a katana, no less), a well-developed and intriguing post-apocalyptic setting, vampires that are depicted as monstrous (yes, even the "good" ones), and a set of vampire rules/logistics that make a good amount of sense and haven't been seen in this combination before. Oh! And a human/vampire relationship where the vampire is female. It makes for a very nice change of pace. But on the other side of the coin, there's the bland and Too Good Male Lead, the fact that Allie is basically Supergirl, especially when compared to the Lesser Females in this book, a sometimes dragging pace, and the length. 500 pages. Oof. Is this one worth your time? Well, that depends. If you like vampire stories more along the lines of Vampire Hunter D, Blood the Last Vampire, I Am Legend, and Daybreakers than Twilight or The Vampire Diaries, and don't have a "to read" pile one hundred books deep, then, sure, go for it. It's a pretty solid adventure and hits a lot of popular notes (dystopian, post-apocalyptic survival, vampires, etc). Speaking of which, I wouldn't be surprised to hear about a film/tv adaptation of it sometime in the Not Too Distant Future. If, like me, you've just got too many things to read already, you can safely give this series opener a pass.
Zombies Vs. Unicorns, Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier (Editors)
It's a question as old as time itself: which is better, the zombie or the unicorn? In this anthology, edited by Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier (unicorn and zombie, respectively), strong arguments are made for both sides in the form of short stories. Half of the stories portray the strengths--for good and evil--of unicorns and half show the good (and really, really bad-ass) side of zombies. Contributors include many bestselling teen authors, including Cassandra Clare, Libba Bray, Maureen Johnson, Meg Cabot, Scott Westerfeld, and Margo Lanagan. This anthology will have everyone asking: Team Zombie or Team Unicorn -Plot summary borrowed from Goodreads
Great Googly Moogly was this a fun read! Even before you get to the excellent stories written by some perfectly chosen authors, you get a lot of fun banter between the editors. You can tell that everyone involved had a blast compiling this anthology which makes reading and choosing a side (if you haven't already) all the better. Before each chapter, which alternate between Team Unicorn and Team Zombie, the editors sing the praises of their own chosen Being, sling snark at the other side, and generally add to the fun.
When I picked this up I figured I was a staunch member of Team Unicorn. Unicorns are powerful, mysterious, magical, and well, pretty. Zombies are dangerous, shuffling, rabid, bitey, and constantly dropping their bits. Eww.
BUT. As much as I enjoyed the unicorn stories, it was the zombie ones that got under my skin, made me think, and are kind of unforgettable. So I'm left undecided as to which team I am on, which is kind of great.
In Mary's world there are simple truths. The Sisterhood always knows best. The Guardians will protect and serve. The Unconsecrated will never relent. And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village; the fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth. But, slowly, Mary’s truths are failing her. She’s learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power, and about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness. When the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, she must choose between her village and her future—between the one she loves and the one who loves her. And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded in so much death? -Plot summary borrowed from Good Reads
I started this book at around 11 pm, thinking I would read a few pages before falling asleep. Two hours later my eyes were glued to the page and my heart was pounding. Not only was I really pulled into the story, but I'm not too proud to admit that I was pretty sure the zombie apocalypse was about to begin, and I wasn't about to be caught napping. This is one tense and scary read, especially if you're a bit of a zombie wimp like your's truly.
Ryan's world-building is also exceptional and I loved the thought of a post-apocalyptic puritanesque village trying to survive in a zombie-ridden landscape. Also, the zombie scenes? Chills. This one is a great choice if you're looking for something with more bite (sorry!) than the fluffy paranormal romance stuff.
If you enjoy this one, you're in luck! There are two more in the series: The Dead-Tossed Waves and The Dark and Hollow Places.
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