Review - A Darkness Strange and Lovely by Susan Dennard

by Susan Dennard
publisher: HarperTeen
date of publication: July 23, 2013
format: ebook
pages: 406
source: library
series: Something Strange and Deadly #2
buy it: A Darkness Strange and Lovely

From Goodreads:

Following an all-out battle with the walking Dead, the Spirit Hunters have fled Philadelphia, leaving Eleanor alone to cope with the devastating aftermath. But there’s more trouble ahead—the evil necromancer Marcus has returned, and his diabolical advances have Eleanor escaping to Paris to seek the help of Joseph, Jie, and the infuriatingly handsome Daniel once again. When she arrives, however, she finds a whole new darkness lurking in this City of Light. As harrowing events unfold, Eleanor is forced to make a deadly decision that will mean life or death for everyone.

Oh, man.  That was my initial reaction upon finishing A Darkness Strange and Lovely.  I really didn't see this book coming.  After Something Strange and Deadly, I expected more of the same plucky Eleanor, only with missing things she would have to learn to do without.  While that was partly true, what I found was a new, dark side to Eleanor that made her a frustrating yet even more interesting character.

Eleanor was so infuriating throughout A Darkness Strange and Lovely, but you know what?  It worked.  Characters don't always have to be on their best behavior and Eleanor is proof of that.  She finds herself in a very dark situation with few options and she takes the path that, while difficult and against what she originally determined against, seems the best option in order to save her life.  What ensues is a harrowing ordeal with magical addiction that leaves her making decisions with a much less sound judgment than before.  It all made her a much more dynamic character with so many facets.  I still got mad at her but it was truly an interesting reading experience.

Paris always makes for such an amazing setting in books.  There is so much character in the ways the city can be depicted that it always seems to come alive in a way.  Eleanor's time in Paris is nothing short of intriguing.  The mysteries at play are eerie and menacing in such away that an element of horror is brought into the story.  There were some truly horrific moments throughout that made my hair stand on end.  It was tense.  It was alarming.  It was thrilling.  I couldn't get enough of it and wound up finishing the book when I had only planned on reading a few chapters.

A Darkness Strange and Lovely turned out to be an impressive story that has left me so excited for book 3 in the series.  You had best believe I will be reading it soon.  With an ever-changing main character, terrifying moments, and a lot of mystery, A Darkness Strange and Lovely brings a lot to the table.  If you enjoy flawed characters, check this out.  That coupled with the darkness at hand make this such an engaging, exciting read.  If you enjoyed Something Strange and Deadly, you'll should give A Darkness Strange and Lovely a chance.  It really kicks things into second gear and takes on an entirely new level of amazing.

Review: Alice in Zombieland

by Gena Showalter
publisher: Harlequin Teen
date of publication: September 25, 2012
format: ARC
pages: 404
source: Around the World ARC Tours
score: 4 out of 5

From Goodreads:

She won’t rest until she’s sent every walking corpse back to its grave. Forever.

Had anyone told Alice Bell that her entire life would change course between one heartbeat and the next, she would have laughed. From blissful to tragic, innocent to ruined? Please. But that’s all it took. One heartbeat. A blink, a breath, a second, and everything she knew and loved was gone.

Her father was right. The monsters are real….

To avenge her family, Ali must learn to fight the undead. To survive, she must learn to trust the baddest of the bad boys, Cole Holland. But Cole has secrets of his own, and if Ali isn’t careful, those secrets might just prove to be more dangerous than the zombies….


I wish I could go back and do a thousand things differently.
I'd tell my sister no.
I'd never beg my mother to talk to my dad.
I'd zip my lips and swallow those hateful words.
Or, barring all of that, I'd hug my sister, my mom and my dad one last time.
I'd tell them I love them.
I wish... Yeah, I wish.

When I first heard about Alice in Zombieland, I was expecting a tale mixing the peculiarities of Alice in Wonderland with the dessicated or oozing horror that is the usual zombie.  What I found, however, was something a bit different.  Rather than the usual flesh-eating zombies, Gena Showalter has created an unseen world in which zombies take on a different form and role.  The result is a story filled with danger, tragedy, friendship, and romance.  The trip from start to finish is a wild one, so get ready for some action.

I am a bit conflicted about the characters found in Alice in Zombieland.  Alice, for example, has survived a horrible tragedy and sets out to make a difference so that it doesn't happen again.  However, her tendency to moon after Cole was a little too much for me at times, and his frequent attempts to push her away by being a grade A jerk got old really fast.  I really was not impressed with that aspect.  When she gets down to the business of zombie slaying, however, she begins to shine.  That and her interactions with her best friend, Kat, were my favorite aspects about her.  Cole, on the other hand, is your typical bad boy with a more intimidating effect upon the high school's students.  I wasn't entirely sold on him until he started to become a little bit less of a hard ass.  Even now, I'm feeling lukewarm about his character.  I do have to admit, though, that Alice and Cole have some interesting chemistry.  I'll just say that you can expect some steamy kissing scenes and leave it at that.

Some of the sites featured throughout the story have a definite feeling of foreboding.  They made for excellent backdrops for zombie attacks and creepy nocturnal jaunts.  The battles are fierce and the casualties gruesome.  That coupled with the warrior-like group dedicated to eradicating the zombies make for some really action-packed sequences that kept me riveted.  The writing was easy to keep up with, although I will say that the ARC had a slight issue with continuity.  To say exactly what might be a bit of a spoiler, but it was noticeable.  I don't know if it will remain in the finished copy or not, but it is something of note.  Otherwise, the pace of the story was great and it made for a pretty quick read.

Overall, I enjoyed Alice in Zombieland and would definitely like to keep up with the series.  Even though the zombies weren't what I expected, the novelty was enough to keep me interested.  It is my hope that a bit more about their origins and the founding of the slayers will be revealed as the series continues.  I would love to know more about the world Gena Showalter has created.  If you enjoy a little steam with your romance and zombie invasions, you should check out Alice in Zombieland.

Buy Alice in Zombieland at the Following Locations:

Amazon /  IndieBound  /  B&N  /  The Book Depository

Obligatory legal statement: This ARC was provided to me free of charge via Around the World ARC Tours. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.

Review - Something Strange and Deadly

by Susan Dennard
publisher: HarperTeen
date of publication: July 24, 2012
format: ARC
pages: 400
source: from the publisher for review
rating: 4.5 out of 5

From Goodreads:

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.

I'm starting to become quite fond of zombie-centered story lines set in the Victorian era.  When Something Strange and Deadly arrived, I was more than excited to dive right in.  I was ready for zombies, parasols, and bizarre machines.  Something Strange and Deadly has all of those (and more) in spades!  The horror, mystery, and romance were very well contrived and made for a fairly smooth read.  It definitely stood out during a week of marathon reading.

Eleanor puts up with a lot as the only child living at home.  Left to deal with her frivolous mother whilst her older brother studies abroad, Eleanor deals with a lot of frustration.  To add insult to injury, her brother goes missing during a time when zombie hordes run rampant through Philadelphia.  What's a girl to do?  Eleanor takes action.  She sets out to find answers as to her brother's whereabouts and well-being with a sisterly devotion that is admirable.  Sometimes, however, it seemed as though she was too complacent where Clarence, the young man her mother wanted her to marry, was concerned.  There were several points during which, though I felt sorry for him, I really wanted Eleanor to tell him to stuff it!  Maybe that's just me, though, since I'm not a fan of wishy-washiness, which Clarence seemed to be guilty of.  Daniel was much more appealing, even with his gruff manner.  He never underestimated Eleanor once he got to know her, which is just great.

The settings were so much fun to read about.  From Eleanor's house to Centennial Exposition, there's so much literary landscape to enjoy.  With an abundance of scenarios such as seances and zombie battles, there's a lot of intrigue and action, as well.  The cemetery gates proved to be the most foreboding site in the book.  You can really feel the tension and spookiness thanks to Susan Dennard's vivid descriptions.  All in all, I simply adored this particular aspect of the book.

Something Strange and Deadly is an imaginative take on a zombie infestation (dare I say a zombie apocalypse?).  With a plot that grips you and an ending that will leave you in shock, there is so much to enjoy in this book.  It wasn't anywhere near what I was expecting as I read it, which, in my book, is beyond awesome.  If you enjoy zombie stories and Victorian fashion, as well as a steampunk flair, you should definitely check out Something Strange and Deadly.  With pointers such as "Go for the knees," how could you miss?

Buy Something Strange and Deadly at the Following Locations:

Amazon / IndieBound  /  B&N  /  The Book Depository

Obligatory legal statement: This review copy was provided to me free of charge by the publisher. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review. 

Review - This is Not a Test

by Courtney Summers
publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
date of publication: June 19, 2012
format: ARC
pages: 320
source: LibraryThing Early Reviewers

From Goodreads:

It’s the end of the world. Six students have taken cover in Cortege High but shelter is little comfort when the dead outside won’t stop pounding on the doors. One bite is all it takes to kill a person and bring them back as a monstrous version of their former self.

To Sloane Price, that doesn’t sound so bad. Six months ago, her world collapsed and since then, she’s failed to find a reason to keep going. Now seems like the perfect time to give up. As Sloane eagerly waits for the barricades to fall, she’s forced to witness the apocalypse through the eyes of five people who actually want to live.

But as the days crawl by, the motivations for survival change in startling ways and soon the group’s fate is determined less and less by what’s happening outside and more and more by the unpredictable and violent bids for life—and death—inside.

When everything is gone, what do you hold on to?

This is Not a Test is an emotionally wrought twist on zombie novels. Though they are present within the story, the emphasis lies not on the zombies, themselves, but on the effects a cataclysmic event like a zombie apocalypse has on different people. The six teens we meet in This is Not a Test are a study in loss, grief, terror, and bravery. Each kid's reaction brought something different to the story, which made This is Not a Test such an engrossing read.

Sloane, the main character and narrator, is such a heartbreaking character. As the layers of who she is and what she has been through are peeled back, a complicated and truly damaged girl is revealed. I will admit that I found her motivation a bit difficult to understand, at first. While I don't agree with her rationalizations for wanting to give up, I can see how what she has been through causes death make sense to her. Her interactions with the other people in her group are actually somewhat heartening. Though she doesn't hold much value for her own life, she does respect the lives of her companions and seeks to make sure she doesn't put them at risk. Considering the behavior of a character such as Trace, it's even more surprising. While she isn't necessarily a character you can fully understand and like, she is definitely a fascinating one to get to know.

The setting for This is Not a Test couldn't have been more perfect. The outside world is a bleak, dangerous place and the inside world that the six teens inhabit has a level of safety that is tenuous, at best. I definitely appreciated that while the high school provided several of the things that the group needed, it wasn't safe enough to lull them all into complacency. However, the fact that so much of the story takes place in the high school definitely makes for some slow pacing, at times. While the group deals with its dramas and interpersonal struggles, the plot lagged at some points throughout the book. This was usually remedied rather quickly, however, so it didn't become too much of a problem.

This is Not a Test turned out to be so much more than I expected. I went in expecting nonstop attempts to fight off the zombie horde. What I found was a moving look at the human experience and what it means to different people. I think the question posed in the plot description lays it all out best: “When everything is gone, what do you hold onto?” The answer to that question is different for each character and different for each reader, as well. It brought a level of personal feeling into the story that came as a big surprise. This is Not a Test is truly an engrossing, though-provoking take on the zombie apocalypse theme.

Buy This is Not a Test at the Following Locations:

Amazon /  IndieBound  /  B&N  /  The Book Depository

Obligatory legal statement: This ARC was provided to me free of charge via the publisher through Library Thing Early Reviewers. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.

Waiting on Wednesday - December 7, 2011

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event from Jill at Breaking the Spine. To participate, simply share that book(s) you are eagerly awaiting the release of and report back to Breaking the Spine with the link to your post. Clicking the image above will take you straight to her post and widget.

I've got another double edition of WoW to share this week.  I'm kind of liking sharing two books rather than one.  I think this may become a regular thing for me, so long as I have two to share from week to week.  Anyway, I have two picks that I am very excited about this week, both from imprints of Harper Collins Publishers.  Let's get started, shall we?

My first pick is another zombie-steampunk novel, this time set in Philadelphia during the 19th century.  I had a lot of fun reading Dearly, Departed, so to see another combination of the two traits, only this time set in the actual Victorian era, had me very excited to read this book.  What is it?  The book is Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard, set for release on July 24, 2012 from Harper Teen.

From Goodreads:

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.

My next pick is the beginning of an upcoming urban fantasy trilogy that focuses on werewolves.  Part murder mystery, part romance, Hemlock by Cathleen Peacock sounds like just the ticket for an awesome, action-packed read.  Hemlock hits shelves on May 8, 2012 and comes from Katherine Tegen Books.

From Goodreads:  

Mackenzie and Amy were best friends. Until Amy was brutally murdered.

Since then, Mac’s life has been turned upside down. She is being haunted by Amy in her dreams, and an extremist group called the Trackers has come to Mac’s hometown of Hemlock to hunt down Amy’s killer: A white werewolf.

Lupine syndrome—also known as the werewolf virus—is on the rise across the country. Many of the infected try to hide their symptoms, but bloodlust is not easy to control.

Wanting desperately to put an end to her nightmares, Mac decides to investigate Amy’s murder herself. She discovers secrets lurking in the shadows of Hemlock, secrets about Amy’s boyfriend, Jason, her good pal Kyle, and especially her late best friend. Mac is thrown into a maelstrom of violence and betrayal that puts her life at risk.

Kathleen Peacock’s thrilling novel is the first in the Hemlock trilogy, a spellbinding urban fantasy series filled with provocative questions about prejudice, trust, lies, and love.

Review: Dearly, Departed

by Lia Habel
publisher: Del Rey
date of publication: October 18, 2011
format: hardcover
pages: 470
source: purchased
Amazon / Goodreads / B&N

From Goodreads:

Love can never die.

Love conquers all, so they say. But can Cupid’s arrow pierce the hearts of the living and the dead—or rather, the undead? Can a proper young Victorian lady find true love in the arms of a dashing zombie?

The year is 2195. The place is New Victoria—a high-tech nation modeled on the manners, mores, and fashions of an antique era. A teenager in high society, Nora Dearly is far more interested in military history and her country’s political unrest than in tea parties and debutante balls. But after her beloved parents die, Nora is left at the mercy of her domineering aunt, a social-climbing spendthrift who has squandered the family fortune and now plans to marry her niece off for money. For Nora, no fate could be more horrible—until she’s nearly kidnapped by an army of walking corpses.

But fate is just getting started with Nora. Catapulted from her world of drawing-room civility, she’s suddenly gunning down ravenous zombies alongside mysterious black-clad commandos and confronting “The Laz,” a fatal virus that raises the dead—and hell along with them. Hardly ideal circumstances. Then Nora meets Bram Griswold, a young soldier who is brave, handsome, noble . . . and dead. But as is the case with the rest of his special undead unit, luck and modern science have enabled Bram to hold on to his mind, his manners, and his body parts. And when his bond of trust with Nora turns to tenderness, there’s no turning back. Eventually, they know, the disease will win, separating the star-crossed lovers forever. But until then, beating or not, their hearts will have what they desire.

In Dearly, Departed, romance meets walking-dead thriller, spawning a madly imaginative novel of rip-roaring adventure, spine-tingling suspense, and macabre comedy that forever redefines the concept of undying love.

What I Thought 

From the moment I first read the description of Dearly, Departed, I was taken over by an immense feeling of curiosity.  There are so many elements that I enjoy bound all together in one book, which made me wonder exactly how Lia Habel was going to make it all work together.  Lo and behold, not only does she make it work, but she does so with much humor and finesse.  Not only that, Ms. Habel has taken the narrative style above and beyond the typical two or three narrators one usually sees and has provided us with the perspectives of five different characters, which gives the book so many dimensions and allows the reader more of a glimpse into this strange new world.  Dearly, Departed lived up to my expectations and took me by surprise all at once, which is no small feat for one book.  It isn't every day that one comes across steampunk-zombie-historical-yet-futuristic romance.  Put simply, I am astounded, intrigued, and very, very happy.

The society and setting in which Dearly, Departed takes place is a novel take on Victorian, steampunk, and futuristic elements.  The New Victorians confused me, at first, as I didn't see the steampunk elements within their society.  While they dress and behave in the manner of Victorians, they are very much reliant upon modern technology, meaning everything is digital and computerized.  It wasn't until I started learning more about their sworn enemies, the Punks, that I understood.  "Punks" is short for "steampunks," which is apparent based on their use of steam power and clockwork.  Once this was understood, the world encompassed in this book made much more sense and I was able to appreciate the ways in which the characters behave all the more.  

Nora Dearly, the heroine of our story, at first appears to be the epitome of a well-bred Victorian young lady.  However, there is more to her than that.  Underneath it all, she is a free spirit who wishes for more independence and adventure than she sees in her straight-laced life.  Her friend, Pamela, is closer to what is expected of Nora, though she, too, has dreams and a desire for more, though she doesn't know exactly what that more is.  These two girls made for fantastic narrators and left me unsure as to who I preferred more when it came to taking matters into their own hands.  Both are enjoyable to read about and are lent great narrative voices.  They each have their own distinctive tone and way of thinking, making telling the two apart very easy.  As for Bram, our zombie captain, I was very much surprised.  I wasn't exactly sure what I should expect from him, but he turned out to be a wonderfully engaging character.  While he is the most well-preserved of the zombie troop, it is apparent that he is dead.  There is no escaping that fact due to the descriptions of his skin, eyes, and gait.  I was a little unsure of what I thought of his relationship with Nora, at first, but he presents himself so well that it's very hard not to root for him in the end.  This is all due to the superb writing of Lia Habel, who turned a normally menacing being into a more humanized version that evokes sympathy and warmth.

If you are looking for a new approach to zombie novels, you will be hard-pressed finding something better than Dearly, Departed.  The writing that can be found in this book is descriptive, evocative, and, overall, a breath of fresh air.  There is a certain tongue-in-cheek level of quirkiness mixed with an intriguing sweetness that I couldn't help but fall for.  I think you will, too.

 

Trick or Treat! It's An Ambush Bump in the Night Spooktacular Giveaway!

Now that day 2 of my little Halloween event is coming to a close, it's time to shake things up a little bit.  There are a few surprises in store.  You won't know when they'll pop up or what they'll be until I tell you.  Just know that the main giveaway isn't the only chance to grab some goodies!

Since it is still Undead Tuesday, it's only right that the first surprise giveaway should be a zombie book.  I have up for grabs a copy of Zombie Queen of Newbury High by Amanda Ashby.  I just might also throw a couple of other goodies in there for the lucky winner.

From Goodreads:

Quiet, unpopular, non-cheerleading Mia is blissfully happy. She is dating super hot football god Rob, and he actually likes her and asked her to prom! Enter Samantha - cheerleading goddess and miss popularity - who starts making a move for Rob. With prom in a few days, Mia needs to act fast. So she turns to her best friend, Candice, and decides to do a love spell on Rob. Unfortunately, she ends up inflicting a zombie virus onto her whole class, making herself their leader! At first she is flattered that everyone is treating her like a queen. But then zombie hunter hottie Chase explains they are actually fattening her up, because in a few days, Mia will be the first course in their new diet. She's sure she and Chase can figure something out, but she suggests that no one wear white to prom, because things could get very messy.

  

Bump in the Night Brawl #2: Zombies

It's day 2 of Starting the Next Chapter's Bump in the Night Brawl and it is Undead Tuesday, which means that a post about zombies is in order. Today, Kyla from Kyla Novelista has been gracious enough to educate us about zombies. She has some interesting and useful information, so I hope you all will join me in welcoming her to Starting the Next Chapter!

I have been asked to represent my people during this visit to Starting the Next Chapter. And I should warn you, not all zombies are as pretty as me. There are different types. Stages, if you will. I was never buried and therefore technically, not raised. Those are the really butt-ugly ones, but don't tell them I said that. There's a little inequality among us in that regard. Touchy subject. Anyhow, I really don't look that different from you. Well, I mean I'm prettier, but that's a given. Just a few minor disagreements with a knife that are visible on me. No worries. They've come out with a cream for that.

Now a lot of you mundanes have speculated about us zombies, and, quite frankly, I'm a little disappointed about the rep we've gained. Mindless machines? Please. We're way worse than that. Sure we've been reanimated, but as long as no one nibbles on my brain…I have full say over what I do. And to whom I do it. *wink wink*

Why is this worse? It's not obvious? Good goddess you're slow. If someone were controlling all the zombies and directing them…like a puppeteer, then you'd have to come under scrutiny of that particular person. However, with all zombies controlling themselves? You've got to be much more careful. Piss me off and I'm likely to chomp on your neck. What? I like the neck.

So, as I was saying. Zombies? Totally the worst thing out there. I mean, sure it's freaky to have a vamp clamped to your neck, but damn, ever had an arm just clawing it's way to you? Minus the body? When we're reanimated, we get certain gifts from our Voodoo queen. For instance, the ability to control our body. All of it. Even if it's not all attached. Add to that the fact that it could be your dear Auntie Em's arm and total traumatizing will commence. For reals.

You can hit us, run us over, insult us, yell profanity…none of that will matter. We have only one way we can actually be dead. I mean dead-dead, not like walking-around-eating-people-dead. You can't kill us from fifty feet away. Nope. You can shoot silver bullets at werewolves from a safe distance away, lob stakes at vamps from the safety of your hidey hole, but you've gotta get up close and personal to kill one of us. Plus, you'll really need a strong stomach, because you're gonna have to separate the zombie's head from his/her body. And, depending on the stage of decay the zombie is in…it can be quite difficult to accomplish. I'm like a zombie ninja, well, zombie ninja cheerleader, and rate of decay over here is slow goin's. I'd definitely not recommend trying that out on me!

Now, there are all kids of crazy things that thrive on mundane ignorance. But alas, you're all just a little too ignorant for me. So, allow me to help you prepare against the fiercest, scariest of those bumps in the night.

When zombies attack your town:

Step 1: Be sure to surround yourself with people, preferably people that you don't like. Keep in mind that this is only the first line of defense. You don't want to be the only option on the menu, do you? No, of course not. These are not sensual vamps we're talking about.

Reminder: Zombie bite =/= orgasmic

Step 2: Slather yourself with butter and encourage all those around you to do the same. This is in no way related to our desire to…uh, nibble on you.

Step 3: Now, you wait. Wait. Wait. You wait until we find you. You should, under no circumstances attempt to track us down. We don't like our dinner delivered. That is, we are not easy to track. Yes, not easy to track.

Step 4: When we find you, scream “Run!” at the top of your voice. As you and your comrades flee for your life, trip the closest person to you. This is where you'll be glad you kept company with people you don't like. This should, in no way, be seen as an act of vengeance, but rather as the best line of defense. Strategic planning, if you will.

Now, if you happen to be caught in the grips of a zombie we'll, uh, you'll be glad you slathered yourself with butter. Because….well, because then you can just wiggle a little. Yeah. Wiggle and you'll slip right out of our grip. Sure.

You should also avoid the following:

1. Do not attempt to shoot at us.

Not recommended

Bullets will do nothing to us except mar our body and make us look more gruesome. I'm gonna be mighty ticked off if you shoot up my face before the big Friday night football game. Which brings me to number 2.

2. Do not tick off a zombie…especially a zombabe, like me.

3. Do not try to light us on fire. I mean seriously, we're DEAD. Like fire is really going to do much. Can't feel it people. Be more creative. Besides…that's just gonna add some seriously stinky fumes to your already polluted planet.

4. Do not attempt to flee in your vehicle. During zombie attacks or, for crying out loud, the zombie apocalypse, you'll never get anywhere! No…fleeing on foot, in crowds, that's the most practical way.

5. Do not attempt to track down the Voodoo queen who raised us. Dude, she raised ZOMBIES for crying out loud! You think your teeny mundane self can do anything to her? Good zombie goddess you're not going to last five minutes!

Come to think of it…the only sure way to survive when zombies are around is to place a sign in the window of your house. Or have a T-shirt made. Tattoo? I make it a policy not to snack on my Twitter followers, but outside of Twitterland it's hard to tell who is zombie friendly.

Do yourself a favor: vote Zombies on October 30^th and proudly display this sign and avoid the fallout from zombies all together.

I would like to thank Marla @ Starting the Next Chapter for having me here today to educate you wonderful people on the realities of zombies. Apologies to you who may have felt a nibble or two while you were here…she did say the event was catered and, well, I took that literally. Please, do yourself one last favor…follow me on twitter to avoid becoming a full on dinner entre @kyla_holt.

psst…if you vote zombies, wear an I Voted For Zombies sticker and I will avoid you during dinner.

Thanks, Kyla! It was great having you on Starting the Next Chapter today. So, folks, what do you think? Did you learn anything new? If not, Kyla has provided a handy flyer to aid you in remembering what to do in the event of a zombie uprising.

Click for full size

Creature Feature Review: Rot & Ruin

It's Undead Tuesday here on Starting the Next Chapter, so it's time for a zombified book review! I have selected Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry for today's Creature Feature Review. Later today, Kyla from Kyla Novelista will be stopping by to share some important information with you all, so I hope you'll heed what she has to say!

Rot & Ruin

by Jonathan Maberry
publisher: Simon & Schuster
date of publication: October 5, 2010
format: hardcover
pages: 458
source: purchased
Amazon / Goodreads / B&N

From Goodreads:

In the zombie-infested, post-apocalyptic America where Benny Imura lives, every teenager must find a job by the time they turn fifteen or get their rations cut in half. Benny doesn't want to apprentice as a zombie hunter with his boring older brother Tom, but he has no choice. He expects a tedious job whacking zoms for cash, but what he gets is a vocation that will teach him what it means to be human.

What I Thought

Rot & Ruin turned out to be a much different zombie novel than I had originally anticipated. Don't get me wrong, there are scads of horrifying zombies in this book, as well as a lot of dangerous situations for Benny to get through. However, there is also a distinct lesson to be learned. This message was pleasantly surprising and gave me a lot to think about as I read this eerily intriguing book.

The plot that runs throughout Rot & Ruin is one filled with several elements, including survival, forgiveness, and the question of just what it is that makes us human. While some truly horrifying things happen in this novel, there is also an element of hope that can be garnered if one pays close enough attention. I found that I appreciated this added touch and the way it was orchestrated. It made for such a thought-provoking zombie story that I was taken very much by surprise.

At first, I was put off by Benny as a character. He is such an angry character at first, and I sensed that his anger was misplaced. However, as the story progressed, he began to take on a great deal of depth that transformed him from an angry, oblivious teenager to a compassionate, loyal young man. His older brother, Tom, is definitely one of my favorite characters in this story. He is amazingly patient with Benny and holds a great deal of sympathy for both zombies and their living families. I was very surprised at that particular character trait and became more intrigued the more I learned. As for the villains, I was very surprised and appalled. They are not who you might think and their heinous actions are completely despicable. You will find yourself becoming very invested in justice when it comes to these characters, which definitely aids in drawing a reader into the story.

The setting in which Rot & Ruin takes place is perfection. The world post-apocalypse is a bleak one and the remaining people are left trying to survive it. The landscape is both ominous and eerie. Never has a forest seemed so frightening. Each time Benny and Tom made their way into the Rot & Ruin, I felt very concerned about what was going to happen. The descriptions of the land made for a definite sense of foreboding and spine-tingling fright.

I was very much impressed with Rot & Ruin and immediately picked up the second novel, Dust & Decay. I had to work a little harder to get into it, at first, but I soon found myself immersed in Benny's story and became invested in what happened to the characters. If you're looking for a zombie-centered story with something to think about, you will likely enjoy Rot & Ruin. I know I did.