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1668081210
| 9781668081211
| 1668081210
| 3.84
| 2,568
| Jul 15, 2025
| Jul 15, 2025
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really liked it
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3.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2025/07/04/... I have read a lot of zombie books, and many of them feature similar themes 3.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2025/07/04/... I have read a lot of zombie books, and many of them feature similar themes of chaos in the streets or a desperate fight for survival. Once in a rare while, however, I’ll come across one that’s far more intimate and slow-burning. In One Yellow Eye, author Leigh Radford delivers her introspective take on a zombie apocalypse that feels deeply personal. Set in a near-future London just months after the outbreak of a contagious virus that turns people into mindless, violent husks for their former selves, the city has mostly managed to contain the pandemic. With the infected purged, the government can finally now turn its attention to finding a cure. Dubbed Project Dawn, the new initiative is drawing some of the country’s best and brightest scientific minds, each determined to uncover the origins of the virus and ensure that something like this would never happen again. One of these research scientists is our protagonist Kesta Shelley. Like many others, she wants to be part of the effort to safeguard the future of the world, except Kesta is also hiding a terrible secret. While the government claims that the crisis is over and all infections have been eliminated for now, Kesta’s husband Tim, one of the last to be infected, is still alive. And he’s currently chained up in their apartment, where he exists in a state of constant sedation to prevent his violent urges from surfacing—and to buy Kesta more time. Unable to let Tim go, her only hope is to secure a position in Project Dawn and secretly use its resources for her own research before anyone discovers what she’s hiding at home. But as the clock ticks down and Tim gets increasingly harder to control, Kesta will have to face the question of how far she’s willing to go to save the man she loves. For the most part, I really enjoyed this book, especially the first half. From a conceptual standpoint, there’s a lot that makes One Yellow Eye special. While Radford is certainly not the first author to humanize her zombies, I appreciated the way she added a layer of tragedy here by letting them retain flickers of their identity and memories still trapped inside the prison of the virus. I also liked the emphasis on the science behind the outbreak. Much like The Last of Us, it features an origin for the zombie virus with roots in the natural world, and I always find those kinds of connections fascinating. Better yet, even if you’re someone who’s burned out on pandemic fiction, there’s just enough sci-fi here to keep it from feeling like yet another COVID-inspired novel. But arguably, the main selling point of One Yellow Eye is the heartbreaking nature of it. Kesta’s situation is awful, and her desperation is palpable. The story is most engaging when she is interacting with her husband, even in his zombified state. Though we only see him as a shell of the man he once was, Kesta’s memories help paint a fuller picture of who he used to be and what he meant to her, allowing readers to understand the depth of her devotion. Her love for Tim drives the entire plot, but over time, it becomes clear that the author is also inviting us to question when love crosses the line into unhealthy obsession. Because of this, Kesta’s motivations aren’t always easy to empathize with, but the idea of loving someone so much that you’d do anything to save them is undeniably relatable, even if her choices sometimes feel extreme. I also felt that, while the first half of the book built strong emotional and thematic foundations, the second half was a little messier by comparison. The plot began to feel a little scattered, with a few sub threads fizzling out here and there without resolution. The pacing also started to flag, weighed down by more than just Kesta’s questionable decisions at this point, as repetitive conflicts with the same people and problems started cropping up. Ultimately, I found myself wishing the ending had been more cohesive and impactful. That said, I didn’t regret my time with One Yellow Eye. Despite my issues with it, I still found it to be a smart and thoughtful debut that brings something new to the zombie horror genre. Leigh Radford’s writing was also compelling, hitting the right notes at the right parts to be both poignant and disturbing. If you want a “traditional” zombie novel, this isn’t it. But if you’re in the mood for something more personal and introspective, and the premise interests you, One Yellow Eye is well worth a look. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Jun 23, 2025
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Jun 27, 2025
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Dec 12, 2024
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Hardcover
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1538735245
| 9781538735244
| 1538735245
| 4.08
| 5,749
| Aug 24, 2021
| Aug 24, 2021
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it was amazing
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5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2021/08/31/... Soooooooo good! Feral Creatures by Kira Jane Buxton was one of my most antic 5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2021/08/31/... Soooooooo good! Feral Creatures by Kira Jane Buxton was one of my most anticipate releases of 2021 and what can I say but it did not disappoint. I make it no secret that I absolutely adored its predecessor Hollow Kingdom and fell immediately in love with its protagonist, a cheeky crass-talking American crow named S.T. which is short for Shit Turd—I kid you not. If you’re sitting there thinking, hey, this sounds a little different…well, you’ve got that right. But obviously, if you’re read the first book, you already know all this. If you haven’t, then I highly recommend picking up Hollow Kingdom before tackling this one. The author does make some attempt to remind readers of prior events or to rehash a few concepts here or there, but for the most part, Feral Creatures is meant to be experienced as a direct sequel. In it, we catch up with S.T. approximately a decade after the previous book ended. Mother nature and her animals have begun reclaiming the planet, now that all the world’s humans have succumbed to a catastrophic disease turning them into ravenous, bloodthirsty beasts (read: zombies). All except one. Dee is perfect. For whatever reason, this beautiful tiny infant had evaded the viral pandemic which turned the rest of her species into the mindless, hollow shells of what they once were. And S.T., who had found her, immediately fell in love as a mother bird would their nestling. Raised by a human, S.T. still feels a desperate longing for the life he once shared with his owner Big Jim, back when they were still surrounded by the comforts and luxuries of civilization—among them Cheetos and TV. In Dee, he sees a glimmer of hope for humans (or MoFos, as that was the word Big Jim had used all the time to refer to other people) and perhaps an opportunity to one day bring back humanity’s past glory. So, armed with his fond memories of Big Jim and an idealistic view of the future, S.T. resolves to raise Dee “proper.” Unfortunately, this plan is immediately met with opposition and numerous challenges. First of all, not all of S.T.’s fellow animals are as pleased with the news that a baby MoFo had survived. Many of their kind had experienced cruelty and death at the hands of humankind, unlike S.T., who is a domesticated crow. And second, there’s Dee herself. As the years go by, the girl can’t seem to help growing up more animal than MoFo, no matter how hard S.T. tries to impress upon her the incredible history and achievements of her species. But who could blame her? She is, after all, being raised in the Alaskan wilds by a cussy crow, a parliament of owls, and a clumsy yet lovable young muskox. When I say Feral Creatures is even better than the first book, I’m not saying that lightly. Hollow Kingdom was a monument to originality and humor, combining the outrageous with the philosophical, and the fact that this sequel was able to carry through and improve upon those trends is nothing short of an amazing feat. This book was gut-bustingly whacky and hilarious, thanks once more to S.T.’s delightfully obscene narrative and larger-than life personality. Everything he knows, he learned from Big Jim. And while we never once get to see Big Jim on the page, his spirit lives on in S.T.’s memories, and from those flashbacks, readers can glean a relationship that goes beyond the simple dynamics of owner and pet. Big Jim’s influence can also be seen in the way S.T. attempts to raise Dee, and here the novel explores the themes of parenthood in addition to the independence-seeking behaviors of children as they grow older—a touchingly heart-warming and sometimes wrenching commentary on when to let go and allow your little fledglings to fly on their own. Despite our protagonist being a crow, his motivations are surprisingly human and familiar. His fierce love and protective instincts for his child, for instance, not to mention his hopes and dreams for the future as well as his powerful, wistful longing for the happy times of the past are all too easy to relate to. At its heart though, the point of the Hollow Kingdom series is to put the focus on the animals, and I was thrilled that Feral Creatures continued a tradition that I loved from the first book, featuring brief interludes from the perspective of creatures from all over the world. Some have had a better time adapting to this drastically changed reality than others, and the presence of these chapters also reminds us that what’s happening is a global phenomenon. Obviously, if you enjoyed the first book, then you will probably love this one as well. If you’re contemplating this series though, there are a few caveats. Humor being so subjective, these books won’t be for everyone, and you really have to be okay with the over-the-top premise and the style of S.T.’s narration, namely his coarseness and a potty mouth that just keeps on overflowing. I wouldn’t say it’s too extreme though, and more often than not it was done in a clever and quippy way that made me admire the author’s way with words instead of turning me off. All I know is, I will never regret the day I decided to take a chance on something a little different and ended up snagging myself a copy of Hollow Kingdom as a result. I was rewarded with mind-blowing creativity, memorable animal characters, and an astoundingly witty yet thoughtful story, and I’m pleased to say that Feral Creatures followed in its predecessor’s footsteps and left even bigger prints besides! What an awesome sequel, and much like her stouthearted corvid protagonist, Kira Jane Buxton is one in a million. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Aug 24, 2021
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Aug 28, 2021
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Dec 24, 2020
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Hardcover
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1250305128
| 9781250305121
| 1250305128
| 3.78
| 3,533
| Aug 04, 2020
| Aug 04, 2020
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really liked it
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4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2020/08/13/... In 2017, the man known as the father of the zombie film George A. Romero pas 4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2020/08/13/... In 2017, the man known as the father of the zombie film George A. Romero passed away from lung cancer, leaving his novel unfinished. But thanks to the efforts of his estate and co-author Daniel Kraus, this final project, the 700-page opus that is The Living Dead was able to find its way into readers’ hands. Like so many big things, this book’s story started out small: with a single death. On the night of October 23, like any other night, medical examiner Dr. Luis Accocola and his assistant Charlene “Charlie” Rutkowski headed in to work at the morgue to see to a John Doe who was brought in earlier in the evening. But as it turns out, there is something wrong with this particular body—namely, the fact that it isn’t exactly…well, dead. Soon, this crisis of the dead coming back to life begins spreading across the globe, with the reanimated corpses relentlessly targeted the living, adding to their numbers. In Washington DC, a statistician and researcher named Etta Hoffman receives news of patient zero and, recognizing it as the spark that creates a wildfire, begins to put together a detailed timeline documenting what is the beginning of the end of the world. Meanwhile, in a trailer park in Missouri, teenager Greer Morgan steps out her door on the way to school, only to find a scene of nightmare unfolding on her front steps. As her neighbors tear each other apart, she barely manages to escape. Elsewhere, in a newsroom in Atlanta, anchorman Chuck Corso is barely holding it together as he watches the complete destruction of the country happening right in front his eyes, but undead hordes be damned, he resolves to continue broadcasting the news as it comes in, even if doesn’t know whether his reports will reach anyone. And finally, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, US Navy officer Karl Nishimura also watches in horror as he and his crew aboard the aircraft carrier Olympia become overrun by zombies, leading to a complete breakdown of the chain of command. Although there are many more viewpoints scattered here and there to flesh out the narrative, most of the novel’s sprawling scope is provided by this handful of main characters. From the way you are made to care about them, to the way we’re allowed to witness the undead apocalypse from its beginning to its aftermath, I was somewhat reminded of Stephen King’s The Stand in terms of the story’s sheer scale and complexity. And the more I thought about it, the fact that this book was written by two authors, with Kraus completing what Romero started, became more and more impressive. For the most part, things flowed well with far fewer hiccups than you would expect from a project published posthumously after the main creator’s death. While Kraus is no stranger to collaborations, this one must have presented unique challenges, the least of them being to decide what Romero might have intended for the direction of his novel. Because of this, the author’s note at the end was a fascinating read into the process. As for my thoughts on The Living Dead, I am one of course to enjoy a good zombie story every now and then, but what I loved most about this one was the way it felt so personal. Sure, with regards to the amount of blood and gore we have our share of both and more, but what I also delighted in was the intimate treatment of the individual characters and moments spent with them in their quieter, more introspective moments. This is a story about how our society might react to a horrible crisis, but it also explores actions and motivations of the individual. The result is a fuller experience with a book that’s as much about people as it is the zombie apocalypse, and if you’ve ever watched a zombie film wishing there had been more of that balance, then this is most certainly for you. In terms of criticisms, well, there’s no getting around the fact that this is a long book, and as with most veritable tomes following an ensemble cast, you inevitably run into issues with pacing and maybe a few time jumps that don’t go so swimmingly. To be fair, many of these issues also stem from the novel’s structure, which is both a strength and a weakness. Comprised of multiple parts, it reads like a retrospective chronicling of events long past, allowing for the level of attention to detail I enjoyed, though it also robs the storytelling of a sense of urgency. While some of these problems can’t be helped, a few sections didn’t even feel like they had much of a plot, floating around like lost little islands in a great narrative sea (though I did wonder if this might just be an unavoidable side effect trying to put together a whole from unfinished pieces) and when you follow so many characters, some of them will also start to feel more interesting than others. Still, I always try to evaluate a book as a whole, and I think there’s a beauty to the way all these disparate threads ultimately came together for the climax. The ending is raw, bitter, harsh…and in my opinion, completely apt. Plus, it’s not difficult to overlook a few faults when the overall the novel is so diligently put together and epic. All in all, even in the face of its hefty length, The Living Dead was a worthwhile read and a must-have for every zombie enthusiast and George A. Romero fan, which probably doesn’t need to be said. Offering a deeper, more expansive and intricate story than anything you could show on a movie screen, this novel represents an incredible effort by Daniel Kraus to interpret and consolidate Romero’s ideas, which culminated in a final product that lives up to the legendary filmmaker’s vision. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Aug 06, 2020
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Aug 11, 2020
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Jan 16, 2020
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Hardcover
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1538745828
| 9781538745823
| 1538745828
| 3.83
| 28,729
| Aug 06, 2019
| Aug 06, 2019
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really liked it
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4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2019/09/02/... I confess, I almost passed this book over at first because I was afraid its 4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2019/09/02/... I confess, I almost passed this book over at first because I was afraid its particular style of quirk and humor would be a little too over-the-top for me. Thank goodness a couple of reviews from bloggers I follow ended up changing my mind and made me decide to give Hollow Kingdom a try after all. This was hilarious and oh so much fun. Even some of its extreme whackiness couldn’t get me down. For one thing, I thought after years of reading all kinds of zombie fiction I could get my hands on, I’d seen everything, but clearly I was wrong. Yes, Hollow Kingdom is a zombie book, but I guarantee it’ll be unlike anything you’ve read before. Have you ever wondered, when the world goes to hell in a handbasket in all these zombie stories, what happens to the animals after civilization crumbles and all of humankind has become the mindless walking dead? Well, this is what this novel is about. Not only are animals the primary focus of the story, they are also its stars. Our protagonist Shit Turd, abbreviated S.T., is an appropriately crass and potty-mouthed crow who leads us through this apocalyptic narrative. His best friends are Dennis, a dim-witted but sweet old bloodhound, and their owner Big Jim, who raised S.T. as a hatchling and taught the little bird all he knew. Humans, for example, are called MoFos because that’s what Big Jim calls other people all the time. Things couldn’t have been better for the three of them, living a happy and simple life in Seattle. But then one day, Big Jim’s eyeball falls out. That was when S.T. knew something was wrong, even before his owner tried to take a big bite out of him. All around them, the city is descending into madness, with all the MoFos of the world turning into hollow, ravenous shells of what they once were. Escaping into this terrifying new reality, S.T. and Dennis find out from the local wildlife what is going on before deciding that their new mission in life is to liberate all the household pets and other helpless animals now trapped behind locked doors, gates, enclosures. What made this novel such a blast was the voice of S.T., who has a very human spirit but is a crow through and through. Relatively speaking, the story was a bit light, though you can never feel it because S.T.’s personality is big enough to fill the whole book, as it were. Everything that came out of his mouth was a riot, from his observations of the world to his personal philosophies on life and lessons he’s learned from watching TV with Big Jim. This plucky little bird also loves his creative and colorful insults and sometimes his snark can be a bit much, though he never failed to make me laugh out loud. However, beneath that rude-talking exterior is a real softie, and the way he sticks by Dennis like a protective older brother is a testament that. Never mind that we’re talking about a crow and a dog here; the two of them are easily topping my list of favorite book buddy relationships I’ve read this year. The point of Hollow Kingdom was to also put the focus on the animals, and in this respect, the story did not disappoint. Between chapters, we sometimes get these short little interludes which show what else is happening around the world, all from the POV of animals. Author Kira Jane Buxton must be quite the animal lover herself because she somehow managed to capture the mannerism and behaviors of all these creatures so well, whether it be a domestic cat or a polar bear. In this world, animals also interact with one each other through something called the “Aura”, an almost mystical-like force that collects all their communication cues and transmits them out like the internet—a very cool idea. I hesitate to say much more because I don’t want to risk spoiling anything, and also because this is one of those books you have to experience for yourself to really know whether it’s for you. That it is highly original and unconventional is obvious, I think, and like I said, this is not your typical zombie story. I don’t think it’ll be for everybody, simply because humor is so subjective, and S.T.’s voice also might be too explicit and brassy for some. Still, if you don’t mind it, there’s definitely sweetness and warmth aplenty to be found if you dig a little deeper, like themes of love and loyalty, lessons of life and death. There are moments that will make you laugh and make you cry. And it will also make you appreciate the animals around you all the more. Bottom line, this was a seriously entertaining read and I’m glad I gave it a chance. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Aug 27, 2019
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Aug 29, 2019
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Mar 20, 2019
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Hardcover
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B07MLBS26H
| 3.48
| 4,937
| Feb 14, 2019
| Feb 14, 2019
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liked it
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3.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2019/04/25/... I’ve really enjoyed Peter Clines’ books in the Threshold series so far (14 3.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2019/04/25/... I’ve really enjoyed Peter Clines’ books in the Threshold series so far (14 and The Fold) which was why I was excited when I found out that he would be releasing a third book as an audio exclusive with Audible. While all these stories appear to take place in the same world, any connections between them are immaterial to their individual plots so each one can be read as a standalone. As such, I wasn’t too surprised to discover that this new book, Dead Moon, would take place in the future on the moon, though I was a little taken aback by the very different tone, style, and overall quality. That’s not to say Dead Moon was a bad book, but it does feel less well put together compared to Clines’ previous Threshold novels, with a more slapdash plot and characters that aren’t as developed. The premise also comes across as less unique and more commercial, like something I might come across in a B movie on the Syfy channel—as in fun, but superficial. As you can probably figure out from the book’s description, this is a zombie story on the moon. The year is 2243 and overcrowding and environmental degradation on earth has forced humankind to figure out a new way to deal with their dead. The solution? Make the moon a graveyard, where Earth’s wealthiest citizens can launch the remains of their deceased loved ones to rest in peace for eternity looking down on us from the brightest object in the night sky. But such an enormous undertaking also requires a lot of manpower to maintain. Enter the Caretakers, men who women who live onsite in Luna City, the moon’s largest operations center, where they perform tasks such as grave digging and overseeing the cemeteries. It is lonely and isolated work, but it is also perfect for Cali Washington, who has signed on to become a Caretaker in order to start a new life and escape the troubles from her old one. Not long after she begins her position, however, a mysterious meteor crashes into onto the moon’s surface, affecting the grave sites in a terrifying way. Far away from any help and amidst dangerous dust storm conditions as well as impossible reports about the dead rising, Cali and her fellow Caretakers must band together and try to survive. Unlike 14 or The Fold, the overall premise of Dead Moon is relatively simple, and the book is what I would call a popcorn read, with a story and characters that present themselves accordingly. There’s also plenty of action, and while these scenes and the dialogue are pretty hammy, there’s no denying the entertainment value. This is a zombie book, after all, and it’s the kind where you know right away what you’re getting into. It will mostly play out the way you expect, though there are also a few twists and surprises thrown in that those who have read the previous Threshold books will probably appreciate more. In terms of characters, we have a diverse and interesting cast. But as with many of these pulpy space disaster stories, it wouldn’t really be advisable to get attached to any of them, since a bunch of them will not survive. Some were clearly written to be fodder for the zombies, so not surprisingly, character development is on the lighter side. Likewise, the plot has a “throwaway” quality to it, which is pretty typical with these typcs of fluffy reads. I get the feeling that Clines wasn’t overly concerned with any possible plot holes or explanations that don’t sense—like, come on, it’s moon zombies! It’s supposed to be over-the-top and a little silly, so I’ll give it a pass for being so outlandish. Like I said, these aren’t necessarily bad attributes, as long as you come into this with realistic expectations. In other words, Dead Moon isn’t a deep book by any means, but I had a good time with it, even though I don’t think its quality is in line with the previous Threshold books (especially with The Fold, which I thought was mind-blowingly clever and engaging). For the right person at the right time though, I can see it being very enjoyable. I will give that it is thrilling and great fun—a fantastic audiobook to check out to if you want an easy and fast listen. A solid 3-3.5 stars. Audiobook Comments: If nothing else, you should be picking up this audiobook for the awesome narration of Ray Porter. I’m a huge fan of his because his performances are always topnotch no matter what kind of material he’s given to work with. The guy brings an electrifying energy to any book because of his great voices and enthusiasm. ...more |
Notes are private!
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2
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Apr 17, 2019
Apr 17, 2019
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Apr 19, 2019
Apr 19, 2019
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Feb 10, 2019
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Audible Audio
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0062570609
| 9780062570604
| 0062570609
| 4.13
| 35,973
| Apr 03, 2018
| Apr 03, 2018
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it was amazing
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5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2018/04/14/... Dread Nation was my kind of YA. It explores history, politics, social issues 5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2018/04/14/... Dread Nation was my kind of YA. It explores history, politics, social issues, and racial relations. It features strong diverse characters, and a protagonist with one of the most powerful voices and charismatic personalities I’ve ever met. Oh, and it’s also got zombies. But leaving all that aside, I just loved this book, because at the end of the day it was a damn good story. Set during American Reconstruction Era, Dread Nation stars Jane McKeene, a bi-racial young woman who was born just in time to witness the dead rise up and walk the earth, putting an unexpected halt to the conflict between the North and South. But even though the Civil War has ended, that doesn’t mean Jane is free. Along with the nation’s black and Native children, Jane was sent off to a combat training school as soon as she became of age in order to learn how to fight off the walking dead, known as shamblers. In Miss Preston’s School of Combat in Baltimore, Jane trained to become an Attendant, someone who fulfills a bodyguard-type role to protect wealthy white citizens. Jane is told she should be grateful, that this life is better and safer than being on the frontlines fighting toe-to-toe with the shamblers where one bite can mean the end. But merely guarding the well-to-do isn’t good enough for Jane. Secretly, she patrols the countryside at night, protecting the poor and the non-white population as well. This leads her friend Red Jack to approach her one day with a request to help him find his sister, who has gone missing along with several others. Together with Katherine—Jane’s sometimes-friend, sometimes-rival—our intrepid protagonist embarks on a mission to uncover the truth about the disappearances, a dangerous path that would ultimately lead the young women and Jack into the heart of Kansas. There, they become ensnared in a nefarious conspiracy, coming face to face with horrors both undead and human. Don’t let the inclusion of zombies fool you into thinking that this is a kitschy, tawdry kind of read, because nothing can be further from the truth. In fact, Dread Nation is a very important book which contains some very serious and heavy themes. That’s because the zombies here are not a gimmick; it’s instead an approach used by the author to explore racism and bigotry during this era in American history allegorically. Carefully constructed and deftly written, Dread Nation deals a number of issues that remain relevant today, examining the way society and individuals are affected by social norms and expectations. While her novel may be an alternate history set to a backdrop of an undead apocalypse, Justina Ireland succeeds in showing that, even in a world overrun with hordes of mindless flesh-eating zombies, society is still divided, and her characters continue to live under the effects of prejudice and oppression. But of course, a good book for me also has to be more than just a message. Here, I’m pleased to say Dread Nation excels as well, delivering a fast-paced narrative that never experiences a lull. While the plot itself is rather simplistic, it’s no less amazing and fun to read because of it, and I truly enjoyed how delightfully fresh and un-formulaic the story felt. The book is divided into two parts, with former focusing on Jane’s life as an Attendant. This is also where a lot of the world-building happens, and here Ireland can be forgiven for a bit of info-dumping, since all of it is so fascinating. The second part of the book deals with Jane, Kate, and Red Jack in Summerland, a small Kansas town run by a bigoted sheriff and a fanatical preacher. The story keeps readers in suspense as our characters must use all their wits and guile to survive this terrible and hateful place, not to mention the frequent scenes of heart-stopping action featuring attacks by the shamblers. And finally, this book would not have been as brilliant with anyone but Jane McKeene as the protagonist. Her mother is a wealthy white woman who has a complicated relationship with her bi-racial daughter, as revealed by Jane in her narrative as well as snippets from her letters featured at the beginning of each chapter. Jane’s upbringing at her childhood home and later at Miss Preston’s would shape the person she would eventually become—a smart, resolute, and resourceful young woman. I know YA fiction reviewers throw the term “strong female protagonist” around like candy, but Jane is the real deal. Her dialogue and relationship with her “frenemy” Katherine was also a huge part of what made this such a great read. It’s no exaggeration to say the characters made this book for me. To be honest, I’ve been a bit disheartened by the state of YA fiction lately, so I haven’t been paying as much attention to hyped books (especially to hyped books). For that reason, I hadn’t even heard of Dread Nation until about a couple weeks before its release, so this was a novel that really came out of nowhere and swept me off my feet. Needless to say, I’m certainly glad I decided to check it out; I absolutely adored this book, and I can’t wait for the sequel. Audiobook Comments: I only just finished listening to Bahni Turpin’s fantastic reading of the audiobook for Children of Blood and Bone, which was my experience with her as a narrator, so I could hardly contain my excitement when I found out she was the narrator for Dread Nation as well. In short, Turpin was perfect for this book and for the main character. I could hear her energy and enthusiasm in every single line she delivered, and more than once, I thought to myself, yep, that is absolutely 100% Jane McKeene. What an amazing listen, one that I really can’t recommend highly enough. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Apr 07, 2018
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Apr 09, 2018
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Mar 20, 2018
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Hardcover
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0345815904
| 9780345815903
| 0345815904
| 3.87
| 332
| Jan 08, 2019
| Jan 08, 2019
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really liked it
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4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2019/01/20/... It was nice getting back into the world of Kincaid Strange with Lipstick Voo 4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2019/01/20/... It was nice getting back into the world of Kincaid Strange with Lipstick Voodoo, and reading it has made me realize how much I’d missed this kind of urban fantasy. Thing is, I’m just not reading as much of the genre as I used to. I’ve gotten pickier these days, and my UF reads are mostly limited to series I’ve already started and to only books that I feel are breaking the mold. While I would hesitate to label the Kincaid Strange novels as “typical”, admittedly they do follow a certain type of formula, containing a lot of the tropes often associated with the genre. At the same time though, I’m guessing that’s where all the warm and fuzzy down-earth-vibes I’m getting are coming from. Lipstick Voodoo is the sequel to The Voodoo Killings, and picks up soon after the events of the first book. As one of the only few licensed (and legit) paranormal practitioners on the entire west coast, Kincaid Strange has got her hands full with new jobs, and yet she’s still always nearly broke. At the moment, simply trying to keep her zombie roommate “alive” and in one piece is draining her bank account. Nathan Cade used to be a pretty big deal on the 90’s Seattle grunge scene before he died in a boating accident at the height of his fame, and until recently, he’s spent the last two decades or so continuing his musical career as a ghost. But now, due to a magical ritual gone wrong, he is trapped in an animated corpse that is slowly decomposing, and if Kincaid doesn’t find a solution to the problem soon, his spirit will die along with its vessel. Meanwhile, Kincaid is also in trouble with Gideon, the ghost of a sorcerer who is currently furious with her for destroying a body he had intended to inhabit. Now Gideon figures she owes him a huge debt, and he’s not going to rest until it is exacted. As if her life wasn’t complicated enough, Kincaid is also trying to sort out her feelings for Aaron, her ex-boyfriend who is a detective on the police force. The reopening of a twenty-year-old paranormal case has led to Aaron calling her up for her expertise, and the fact that it involves a murdered rocker who was a contemporary of Nathan Cade’s has both the detective and our protagonist wondering if her undead roommate may have had something to do with the death. Lipstick Voodoo was everything I wanted—fast and fun, with just the right amount of offbeat humor and charm. We mostly have our main character to thank for that. In some ways, Kincaid Strange reminds me a bit of a modernized Anita Blake (but savvier and less raunchy), most likely due to her supernatural ability to draw energy from the otherworld to fuel her necromantic magic. But while she may conform to the familiar archetype of the urban fantasy female protagonist (e.g., strong and independent, to the point of preferring to work alone; having few female friends and strained relationships with remaining family members; always getting in trouble with the powerful head honchos of the paranormal community because of her snarky, sometimes impetuous attitude; dealing with a tricky situation with an on-again-off-again beau, etc., etc., etc.), Kincaid also possesses a number of qualities that endeared me to her personality. For one thing, unlike a lot of bull-headed heroines who can’t see past their own self-importance, she knows what her weaknesses are and isn’t afraid to take an L if it means fighting another day. She’s also very loyal to the people she cares about. And slowly but surely, she’s coming around to the idea that it’s okay not to have to fight one’s battles alone. On the world-building side of things, I’m once more impressed. As any fan of this genre knows, establishing the setting and a “sense of place” is always a huge component of an urban fantasy series, and I like how Kristi Charish is continuing to build upon her paranormal version of Seattle with an eye towards detail and atmosphere. Not only has she populated her world with all manner of creatures from ghouls to ghosts, she’s taken care to include examples of how the presence of the supernatural has also impacted everyday life. Incorporating the musical culture of the city into her story was also a stroke of genius; I’d liked this aspect when I read the first book and was thrilled to see it carried through to this sequel. Lipstick Voodoo also ties up several plot threads from the previous novel while introducing new ones to look forward to. For a series that only has two books out right now, Kincaid Strange is already flowing like an extremely well-oiled machine with the promise of even more quirky and entertaining stories to come. I am looking forward to the next adventure starring our plucky heroine. Audiobook Comments: I made the switch from print to audiobook with this installment, a decision I do not regret at all. I generally find that most urban fantasy works great in audio, especially with a book as light and fun as Lipstick Voodoo. As a bonus, Susannah Jones was fantastic as narrator, possessing the perfect voice and cadence to portray Kincaid Strange, but she also delivered incredible performances for all the other characters. If you’re an audiobook listener thinking about checking out this series, I highly recommend this format. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Jan 08, 2019
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Jan 13, 2019
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Aug 09, 2017
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Paperback
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0698195825
| 9780698195820
| B07DMYTL6L
| 4.43
| 39,103
| May 07, 2019
| May 07, 2019
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really liked it
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3.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2019/04/30/... At eleven books, the Mercy Thompson series has become a veritable saga at 3.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2019/04/30/... At eleven books, the Mercy Thompson series has become a veritable saga at this point. Pack drama and supernatural politics, this one’s got it all! And believe it or not, many of these story threads are still developing and building upon everything that has come before. This is the case in Storm Cursed, which takes us back to the Tri-Cities area after our eventful detour through Europe in Silence Fallen—which also means we return to Tri-Cities politics. Repercussions of Mercy’s past decisions have caught up to her, and while it felt like the right thing to do at the time, nothing could have prepared her for the pressures involved in taking responsibility for the safety of everyone living in the territory of the Columbia Basin pack. As always though, Mercy has the full support of her husband and pack leader Adam, even if some of the other werewolves only barely tolerate her—and only because they have to. But what’s done is done, and now everyone is busy dealing with the aftermath of Mercy’s proclamation, including getting rid of any intrusions on their territory or threats to their people. Still, some major power shifts are happening. The Tri-Cities area now has the reputation of neutral ground, where negotiations can take place between the US Government and the Gray Lords of the Fae. As a whole slew of important people descends upon their home territory, Mercy finds herself playing reluctant liaison between the politicians and the supernatural community. Meanwhile though, other troubling things are happening around the place, including the emergence of zombie animals and a massacre on the local witch’s coven. With all these fires needing to be put out, Mercy barely has time anymore to put in hours at her car mechanic day job, even though the garage has reopened since being burned down a few months back. I’ll be honest—this wasn’t my favorite Mercy Thompson novel by far, especially coming on the heels of the thrilling installment that was Silence Fallen. After that nice little break, it appears the series has settled into holding pattern again, in that this one felt like a bridge book whose purpose is to establish a foundation for what’s coming next. There also wasn’t one central conflict in the story; instead, there were several all being developed in tandem, which resulted in a lack of focus. In addition, the political aspects dragged on, not to mention how some of those parts felt awkwardly shoehorned in when there were more urgent problems to worry about, like, oh, I don’t know, how about Elizavetta’s entire family being brutally tortured and murdered and the imminent takeover by a rival coven of black witches? It certainly didn’t feel like that bombshell was given the gravity it deserved, and it’s possible all these reasons made Storm Cursed feel comparatively less engaging than some of the books that came before. That said, if you’re still following the series at this point, you’ll know what a delight these characters are to follow. It’s impossible for Patricia Briggs to write a bad Mercy Thompson book in my eyes, because each volume always introduces something new and interesting. One of my favorite aspects is seeing all the relationships develop, not just on a personal level between characters but also on a larger scale between all the paranormal communities (Fae, Witches, Werewolves, etc.) in the Tri-Cities. I also love how this book brought back a ton of familiar faces like Zee and Stefan, while still having room to introduce newer names like Sherwood and Larry. It’s true that all the characters get hard to keep track of sometimes, and even as someone who has followed this series closely, occasionally I get forgetful and lost when the story references some past events. This is definitely a series where you have to be up-to-date with the books, and to an extent also be familiar with the Alpha & Omega universe (which I don’t read, which is probably why I’m at a slight disadvantage). At the end of the day though, even with the Mercy Thompson series’ highs and lows, each book is still an adventure where you never know what’s around the corner for everyone’s favorite coyote shapeshifter and the rest of the gang. While Storm Cursed was a bit of a mixed bag, with a lot of things going on and sections that were less engaging than others, overall I had a good time, and as always, I can’t wait for more. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Apr 19, 2019
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Apr 24, 2019
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Feb 19, 2017
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Kindle Edition
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0316300330
| 9780316300339
| 0316300330
| 3.96
| 30,124
| May 02, 2017
| May 02, 2017
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really liked it
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4.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2017/05/15/... Well, the question of whether M.R. Carey could catch lightning in a bottle 4.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2017/05/15/... Well, the question of whether M.R. Carey could catch lightning in a bottle twice has been answered. Not that I had doubted it much, but while The Girl with All the Gifts was met with much acclaim, I’d made sure to temper my expectations for its follow-up companion novel in the months up to its release. Given the infuriatingly vague publisher description, and with the newness of the whole idea, there were just way too many unknowns. Thankfully, The Boy on the Bridge came through with flying colors. It might not have been quite as fresh as the original, simply because we know so much more about the world now, but the book still had plenty of surprises in store. Here’s what I can tell you: The Boy on the Bridge is something of a prequel to The Girl with All the Gifts but it can be read as a standalone (though I still highly recommend reading the books in their publication order). The world has been ravaged by the Cordyceps plague, turning much of its population into “Hungries” — effectively just another term for the walking dead. And yet, humanity still has hope that it will find a cure, sending scientists and other brilliant minds into the wild to see if they can bring back any helpful information. The story follows one such expedition, made up of the scientists and soldiers of the Rosalind Franklin. Affectionately nicknamed Rosie, the armored tank/motor home/mobile laboratory is specifically built for many months of travel through the Hungries-infested wasteland that Britain has become. The key characters include Dr. Samrina Khan, the team epidemiologist, as well as an autistic boy named Stephen Greaves who is ostensibly accompanying her as her assistant. Though Stephen’s presence is unorthodox to say the least, none of the other scientists are about to question Dr. Khan’s insistence that the young man is special or that he can bring invaluable insights to their mission. Six soldiers are also along for the ride, charged with protecting the Rosie and her precious cargo of civilians, scientific equipment, and biological samples. However, just a few weeks after their departure, Dr. Khan receives some life-changing news. But it’s too late to turn back now; she and her colleagues have a job to do, and the future of everyone—including the next generation—rests upon any useful data they can bring back. If you were like me and found yourself completely in awe of the world in The Girl with All the Gifts, then you’re in for a treat. This prequel explores many aspects that were only lightly touched upon in the original book, and with the Breakdown still fresh enough on people’s minds, there’s a noticeable difference in the overall attitudes of the characters. While it would be a stretch to call this a happier book, the prevailing mood at the beginning is arguably still one of hope and measured optimism, and that despite the horrors the world has seen, humanity believes it can save itself and make everything right again. After all, this is what the Rosie was meant for, and in a strange way, the armored vehicle almost becomes a character in its own right, symbolizing that conviction. Gradually though, the hope fades, followed by a stifling sense of desperation. Confine a group of scientists and a group of military personnel into the same claustrophobic small space for months on end, and you’re guaranteed to get some kind of friction. Throw in the pressures of their mission and the threat of Hungries and junkers, it’s a wonder that the team has survived together this long at all. While Dr. Samrina Khan and Stephen Greaves may have gotten the most attention simply based on amount of page-time, the ten other characters on board the Rosie also have their own personal background stories and fleshed-out personalities, leading to a lot of interesting dynamics. This aspect sets The Boy on the Bridge apart, enhancing the story with side-plots dealing with complicated friendships and enmities and details of secret alliances and betrayals. Keeping in mind that all the events in The Girl with All the Gifts are still in the future, there’s also a lot the world doesn’t know yet, so the fears of the Rosie crew are understandable. If you’ve read the first book, this is where the mystery loses a bit of its grip, but it’s still easy to see how the stresses caused by the strange happenings can start to take their toll, once you put yourself in the characters’ shoes. The real shockers are all left for the end, because even though we already know that the Rosie will bring home no cure to save the world, it’s the whys and the hows of it that will ultimately be the most revealing. In fact, in some ways this makes the ending feel even darker and more unsettling, especially once the realization hits that everything we know about this world had rested on the outcome of this novel. Whether you’re picking up The Boy on the Bridge as a newcomer or because you’re a fan of The Girl with All the Gifts, this one will be a fascinating tale guaranteed to pull you in. Highly recommended. ...more |
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1
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May 03, 2017
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May 06, 2017
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Aug 19, 2016
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Hardcover
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1941758851
| 9781941758854
| 1941758851
| 3.47
| 275
| Jan 01, 2016
| Aug 09, 2016
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liked it
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3 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2016/08/09/... Welcome to Deadland is a zombie book, but it’s also kind of…not. The end of 3 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2016/08/09/... Welcome to Deadland is a zombie book, but it’s also kind of…not. The end of the world seems almost incidental in this novel pitched as Lost meets The Walking Dead, but in my opinion, its unique perspective also makes it a deeper, much stronger experience. Rest assured, readers will still get a good dose of the zombocalypse, but the predominant themes about growing up, coming out, and finding strength within yourself are what makes this one shine. If you’re in the mood to try a different sort of zombie story, you’ll definitely want to seek this one out. The narrative focuses mainly on two major POVs: Asher, a college student from North Carolina, who with his friend Wendy have ended up in a post-apocalyptic Orlando theme park; and Rico, a drug-addicted teenager determined to see himself and his six-year-old brother Jayden to safety through a world strewn with death and destruction. In the “After”, all that matters is survival. But at least half—if not more—of the book also takes place “Before”, in the months leading up to the devastating effects of the zombie plague. With chapters alternating between the past and present, the story provides readers with plenty of backstory allowing us to follow the changes in the characters’ lives. In the pre-apocalypse, everything changes for Asher on the night he meets Ellis at a house party. A spark immediately forms between the two of them, but there’s only one problem: Ellis already has a boyfriend. Add to that, Asher hasn’t actually told anyone he’s gay, but with the support of Ellis and his friends, he’s finally realizing he can let his secret go and be himself. For the first time in his life, Asher feels free and happy, but there’s also no denying the connection he feels with Ellis, who is already involved with someone else. Meanwhile in another part of the state, a high school student named Rico is being arrested for drugs and disorderly conduct. As punishment, Rico’s father takes away his car privileges, but this simply becomes an invitation for the teenager to act out even further by skipping classes, dealing drugs, and going to all-night parties. Despite being a juvenile delinquent though, Rico is the hero of his younger stepbrother Jayden, and Rico loves the little boy in turn with all his heart. Without a doubt, it’s the “Before” sections that constitute the meat of the story, which is why I described this book the way I did in my introduction. Zombie horror takes a secondary role to the trials and tribulations of real life, and just because the world has ended doesn’t mean that the past is erased. If you’re solely looking for the action and thrills of a pure zombie survival story, then this probably won’t be the book for you. There are scenes of blood, violence, gore and tension scattered here and there, but for the most part this one is a heavily character-oriented drama with the most interesting plot developments happening in the chapters before the zombie outbreak. To keep things moving along though, Zachary Tyler Linville weaves together past and present, jumping back and forth between events that happened when the world was still fine and those that happened afterwards when everything has gone to hell. Still, while it was interesting and ambitious, I wasn’t entirely convinced this was the best structure for the novel because of the overall disruptive effect it had on the flow of the story. “Before” and “After” had a way of stepping on each other’s toes, and the plotting wasn’t quite tight enough to make me feel engaged with essentially four different storylines (pre- and post-apocalypse for both Asher and Rico). The POV switches were also distracting because I had to really make a conscious effort to remember what happened with each character when we last saw them. Something had to give, and it was the “zombie chapters” that suffered, simply because I preferred the stronger, more compelling character development in the “Before” chapters. Framing it that way, Welcome to Deadland isn’t even a zombie book at all, but rather a narrative about human drama: family life, personal relationships, romance and sex, emotional conflicts, etc. Asher’s story almost had a “New Adult” feel to them, featuring themes like sexuality, leaving home, and college life. In the middle of it all is his relationship with Ellis, which is both a source of comfort and frustration to Asher. Much of his plotline involves Asher trying to sort out where he stands while Ellis carries on an emotional affair with him and then later becomes manipulative, playing with Asher’s feelings. Next, we flip over to Rico, whose story reads like a cautionary tale reminding us of the dangers of drug abuse among teens. The end of the world comes just as Rico hits rock bottom, and puts a whole new perspective on his life. With a young child in his care, Rico re-examines his habits and knows he has to be a better person for his little brother, so at least for him, the zombie apocalypse has a silver lining. All told, I found Welcome to Deadland to be a welcome change from the typical run-of-the-mill zombie novel, though ironically, it was the non-zombie sections that really stood out for me. Despite the pacing problems and other minor issues like choppy writing and awkward dialogue, I really enjoyed the story overall and was amazed at huge amount of effort put into character development. That’s pretty unusual for a zombie story, and I found it very refreshing. It’ll be interesting to see what else this series has in store for our characters, because yes, Welcome to Deadland has all the trappings of a “book one”. Hopefully we’ll also learn more about how the infection started in the first place, since this was only mildly hinted at in the story. Ultimately, I rate this one 3 stars for being a solid debut effort with room to grow, and I genuinely believe Zachary Tyler Linville has a bright career in writing ahead of him. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Jul 29, 2016
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Aug 02, 2016
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May 16, 2016
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Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
0765382679
| 9780765382672
| 0765382679
| 3.77
| 2,701
| Oct 18, 2016
| Oct 18, 2016
|
liked it
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3 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2016/12/04/... Here’s the deal: if you’re a fan of zombie stories or if a zombie origin tal 3 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2016/12/04/... Here’s the deal: if you’re a fan of zombie stories or if a zombie origin tale that puts a fresh spin on the genre sounds like it might interest you, then you’re going to want to check out The Rains by Gregg Hurwitz. Double bonus for you too if you prefer books with a YA bent, as this is the author’s first book in a new series targeting teen readers. However, if you happen to be a science/biology geek or a stickler for common sense and logic, then this book is going to make you cry. The story begins with an introduction to the quiet and rural community of Creek’s Cause, where the peace is shattered one evening by a meteor strike. Not long afterwards, our fifteen-year-old protagonist Chance Rain and his older brother Patrick are awakened in the middle of the night by a commotion at their neighbors’ house, leading the two of them to sneak out and investigate. They arrive just in time to stop an attack on the kids by the stepmother, who appears to have been transformed into mindless raving husk by a mysterious and unknown parasite. After saving the children, Chance and Patrick find the father on top of a water tower where millions of alien spores look to have exploded from out of his bloated corpse. Recalling what he’s learned about the Cordyceps fungus and “zombie ants”, Chance quickly deduces that these spores are what’s causing the infection, turning all of the adults—and only adults, it seems—into violent, savage hosts. But if this is indeed the way the parasite is spreading, then why aren’t those who are younger being infected? Chance and Patrick find the answer to this once they arrive at the high school, where their science teacher Dr. Chatterjee has been sheltering the town’s children and teenagers. Chatterjee explains that the parasite appears to be affecting white matter, the paler tissue of the human brain mostly made up of nerve fibers and their myelin sheaths. And since the brains of children are not as developed as an adult's and do not have as much white matter, they are immune to the effects of the spore. This also explains why Dr. Chatterjee, who has multiple sclerosis—a demyelinating disease—is unaffected himself. So far, this is going great. Things are getting pretty interesting. I’m liking the suspense, and the mystery behind the infectious agent is really driving things. But then, we get another bombshell. The group figures out that, at the exact moment a person turns 18, the brain will immediately become susceptible to the parasite. The exact moment. As in, right down to the minute of your birth. One second, you’re fine. But as soon as the clock ticks over, then happy birthday, you’re a zombie! The bio nerd in me just wants to tear my hair out and scream, NOOOOOOO THAT’S NOT HOW THIS WORKS! I do love it when zombie books use science to explain things (the Cordyceps idea is becoming a lot more common, for example, and I still can’t get enough) but let’s please try to make it more convincing. I thought that tying the parasite’s processes to brain development was ambitious and intriguing, but unfortunately the human body does not work like a clock. One does not wake up in the morning of their eighteenth birthday to find their brain suddenly and miraculously bursting with myelin. If only growing up and becoming mature was so easy. So yes, that bothered me a lot. It might even have biased me against the rest of the book. If such a glaring oversight made it through the first few drafts, I can only assume that the prevailing attitude was “This is YA, good science and reasoning won’t matter so much.” But it does. It should. With this in mind, I soon started seeing more plot holes, inaccuracies, and logical leaps. If things like that don’t concern you so much, then you should be fine, though for me they ultimately prevented me from calling The Rains a great book. It’s a shame too, because the plot was entertaining and fun in a way that reminded me a lot of The Faculty movie, and the characters were good, strong, and charming in the salt-of-the-earth sense. Still, generally speaking I don’t feel comfortable enough about recommending this book to just anyone; perhaps if you are a diehard zombie fiction reader or YA horror fan, you might want to take a look. However, if you’re a pickier reader like me who also predominantly reads adult speculative fiction, you might end up finding the flaws too distracting. I give this one 3 stars, and just barely. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Nov 23, 2016
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Nov 27, 2016
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Jan 19, 2016
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Hardcover
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0345815882
| 9780345815880
| 0345815882
| 3.85
| 919
| May 10, 2016
| May 10, 2016
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really liked it
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4.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2016/05/18/... I want to say right off the bat, this was the most fun I’ve had with an ur 4.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2016/05/18/... I want to say right off the bat, this was the most fun I’ve had with an urban fantasy in ages! Not only was I blown away by the potential—the most I’ve seen when it comes to a new series—Kristi Charish appears to have this uncanny ability to push all my right buttons. I became a fan of hers after the Adventures of Owl, and I’ve been hankering for anything she writes ever since. That’s how this first book of her new series came to my attention. Hard to imagine anything beating a fast-talking, tomb-raiding, RPG-playing ex-archaeology grad student turned international antiquities thief, but Kincaid Strange of The Voodoo Killings might actually give Owl a run for her money. For one thing, she’s not your typical voodoo practitioner, nor is this book your typical ghosts-and-zombies fare. However, like a lot of her peers in the UF genre, Kincaid is flat broke. And while she might be the best at what she does, what she does best isn’t exactly paying the bills these days. New Seattle laws against the raising of zombies have dried up her source of income, leaving her scrounging for séance jobs among the city’s population of university students, especially those with an obsession with grunge rock. It helps a little that the ghost of Nate Cade, the legendary Seattle grunge rocker who died in the late 90s, is her roommate. The two of them make a great team. Then one day, Kincaid gets a call about the stray zombie of prominent local artist, and before she knows it, she’s his brand new guardian. Cameron can’t remember who raised him or even how he died, but an unauthorized zombie walking around town spells very bad news for everyone, so Kincaid takes it upon herself to help him piece together the final days of his life. The investigations go south when she connects Cameron’s death to a string of recent murders, and the victims are all zombies and other voodoo practitioners like her—which can only mean one thing: it’s only a matter of time before the killer comes gunning for her. As I said, The Voodoo Killings is not your typical UF. The world Kristi Charish has crafted here is all her own, and I love what she’s done with the magic and mythos behind the raising of zombies and summoning of ghosts. There’s an intricate process behind animating a corpse involving a complex series of spell threads that only someone with the skills can recognize and manipulate. A practitioner’s relationship with the “Otherside” is one of the most fascinating aspects of the story, hooking me in right from the very start. It’s also the wild little details that make me want to giggle and rub my hands together with glee, like the practice of writing on mirrors to communicate with ghosts, or Cameron having to pan-fry his servings of human brains that come neatly packaged in highly illegal (but highly convenient!) vacuum-sealed packets. The characters themselves are instant favorites. There’s a special place in my heart reserved for all the underdogs of UF, and Kincaid definitely counts. In truth she actually shares a lot of traits with Owl from Charish’s other series, save for the recklessness and smart-alecky mouth, which made connecting with Kincaid a lot faster and easier. Like Owl again, Kincaid has few human friends and spends the bulk of her time associating with other practitioners and supernatural beings, and as a result we have a fascinating and very diverse cast of supporting characters. First and foremost is Nate, who is in no way your everyday sidekick ghost, though his loyalty to Kincaid is unequaled. Then there’s Lee Ling, the centuries old mysterious zombie who runs a tavern in the magical underground and who will keep you guessing at her motives at every turn. And last but not least, there’s Cameron, the stray zombie Kincaid so reluctantly took under her wing. Throw everything you think you know about zombies out the window, because he will make you see them in a whole new light. The plot is also fast-paced there’s never a dull moment. This story hits the ground running and not once do we hit a lull. Kincaid Strange appears to belong to the same school of UF protagonists as Harry Dresden, where the heroes and heroines must handle the challenges of juggling a million crises at once while multiple fires around them keep screaming to be put out. Still, while there may be a lot of things going on in this book, I didn’t actually find any of it to be too much or overwhelming. All it did was make it hard to stop reading. While I still love Owl and her Indiana Jane persona, Kincaid really appealed to me in her own unique way. Whenever I read urban fantasy, it’s not uncommon for a new series to take several installments—two, three, sometimes even four books—for the characters and world to draw me in. Rarely does it happen with the very first book, but that’s exactly what happened here with The Voodoo Killings. If you’re a fan of the genre, I can’t recommend this one highly enough! Hands down, this is my favorite book by Kristi Charish right now, and to my happy surprise, I think I’ve also found a new favorite urban fantasy series. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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May 08, 2016
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May 14, 2016
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Dec 09, 2015
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Paperback
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1602391874
| 9781602391871
| 1602391874
| 3.40
| 1,562
| Oct 17, 2007
| Oct 17, 2007
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None
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Notes are private!
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0
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not set
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not set
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Sep 14, 2015
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Paperback
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0553418319
| 9780553418316
| 0553418319
| 3.98
| 3,990
| Feb 2016
| Feb 02, 2016
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really liked it
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4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum http://bibliosanctum.com/2016/02/29/b... This is probably my favorite book of the series so far! Ex-Isle, the fifth b 4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum http://bibliosanctum.com/2016/02/29/b... This is probably my favorite book of the series so far! Ex-Isle, the fifth book in the Ex-Heroes series (which I like to describe to others as “Superheroes meets The Walking Dead”) brings things back on track. I’ve never felt more energized about these books than I do now. The story takes us back to the Mount, a film studio in Hollywood that the survivors of zombocalypse has converted into a fortress to keep out the hordes of undead. The people of Los Angeles have fared better than most, thanks to a small team of super-powered individuals on their side. St. George, a hero somewhat analogous to Superman, has helped protect everyone by establishing a safe haven where humanity can still work, play, farm and forage. But then disaster strikes, destroying much of the Mount’s sources of food, forcing the heroes to consider riskier solutions to make up for the loss. In the end, a team including Danielle, Cesar and their powered suit of armor known as Cerberus (yes, my first thought was Iron Man too) head out to the outskirts in an effort to find more ways to produce food. Meanwhile, Zzzap returns from a scouting trip with some big news: he has found a man-made island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, constructed by cobbling together a bunch of boats (in his words, “It’s kind of like Waterworld. But, y’know, believable.”) Deciding that the Mount should offer whatever help they can provide, St. George accompanies Zzzap back to the island in a gesture of goodwill, bringing Corpse Girl along for the adventure. When the heroes arrive though, they find a less than friendly welcome; in fact, everyone on the island seems to think L.A. has been nuked along with the rest of the world, and no one believes that St. George is who he says he is. Worse, they all appear to be ruled by a paranoid Aquaman-type character named Maleko. After reading Ex-Isle, I was excited and also relieved that the slump I experienced with the last book was only temporary. Ex-Purgatory was a strange book that took us briefly in a different direction, which didn’t work as well for me compared to the other novels in the series, so now I’m glad to see all my favorite zombie-fighting heroes in action again. There are two story threads running along here side-by-side, the one where Danielle and the others are in Eden helping out with the food situation, and then there’s the one with St. George, Zzzap and Corpse Girl in Lemuria, the island made of boats. Both are equally gripping and suspenseful, and I fell into the rollicking rhythm of the novel almost instantly. What I loved most about this book is the unsettling sense of mystery that pervades both storylines. Up in Eden, the team of super soldiers who are supposed to be watching out for zombies are instead acting really strange, and people are getting suspicious. This story is made even better by Danielle, who is trying to figure out what’s going on, but her progress is agreatly hampered by her struggle with PTSD and her separation anxiety from the Cerberus armor. And speaking of Danielle, over the course of the series we’ve seen the books focus on the individual characters, exploring their personalities and backgrounds, but this is the first time I’ve truly felt that kind of character development take off. Don’t get me wrong, because I love this series; it’s humorous and entertaining, but admittedly, that tone has always made it hard to connect with the characters on a deeper level—especially when most of them can be seen as parodies of well-known Marvel and DC superheroes. However, Danielle in Ex-Isle became a genuinely interesting and sympathetic character, and in her I finally found the deeper connection I’ve been looking for in this series. The storyline in Lemuria was also excellent fun. The suspense and mystery go into overdrive here, making you wonder every step of the way, “Just what is going on here?” The heroes have to deal with a new antagonist and all his dangerous and evilly underhanded tactics. Barry/Zzzap is hilarious as always, and Corpse Girl AKA Madelyn also gets to have a starring role, proving herself to be one of the more fascinating characters with bizarre “power”. I also liked how this book was more structured. Peter Clines wrote in a note at the end that unlike the other volumes, he had to rush this one, and because of that, it was outlined to oblivion. It’s understandable why that didn’t work too well for him as a writer. Strangely though, it worked for me as a reader. I enjoyed how the story was more focused and streamlined, and the pacing was smoother because we had fewer flashbacks. Even though we didn’t get to see much of the other heroes—like Stealth or Captain Freedom—the characters that we did get to spend time with were better written and more developed. Overall, this was a big winner for me. I feel like the series is finally hitting its stride, and that going forward, we’re going to be seeing even greater things. I’m so glad Clines is writing more of these books, and I can’t wait for the next one. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Feb 23, 2016
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Feb 24, 2016
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Apr 06, 2015
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Paperback
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0770436315
| 9780770436315
| 0770436315
| 3.57
| 3,976
| Jul 04, 2013
| Jul 09, 2013
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liked it
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3.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum http://bibliosanctum.com/2014/10/31/b... Despite the modest page count and a fascinating premise about what the zom 3.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum http://bibliosanctum.com/2014/10/31/b... Despite the modest page count and a fascinating premise about what the zombie apocalypse would look like if meth heads were the only survivors – which, I have to say, is a pretty awesome social thought experiment – it still took me a long time to read this book, the reason being I could only take it in small doses on account of how incredibly obnoxious it was. It wasn’t even so much the nihilistic and transgressive-like style of storytelling, or the fact that the drug-addled characters are so infuriatingly unlikeable down to the very last person. At the end of the day, while being in the mind of a junkie might not be all sunshine and lollipops, I actually thought Peter Stenson did a fantastic job painting a very vivid and realistic perspective. No, the real reason I had such a hard time is because I’m a big fan of punctuation. Quotation marks are our friends! But anyway, Fiend begs to differ. I can’t say I’m thrilled with the lack of punctuation or the continuous stream-of-consciousness writing style, and yet I’m also not such a stickler for it that I would dismiss the whole book because of it. Did it affect my enjoyment of the novel though? I tried not to let it, but to a degree it did. If anything, it was because trying to read this book for prolonged periods of time would inevitably give me a massive headache. I’ll give it this, though: at no point did I ever consider throwing in the towel. The story was just too addictive, if you would pardon the borderline tasteless pun. It marries one unpleasant subject (drug abuse) with another (zombies) and the results are pretty interesting in that hideous-but-I-just-can’t-stop-looking way. The end of the world is at hand. Everyone just went to sleep one night and didn’t wake up in the morning, and some of those individuals have reanimated to become the walking dead. For whatever reason, the only survivors are people like Chase Daniels, a long time meth addict. Chase was so high that for days he hadn’t even known the zombocalypse had arrived, and he actually thought his first exposure to it – a little girl in his front yard tearing out the throat of a dog and eating it – was a drug-induced hallucination. I don’t know what it’s like to be a junkie. I won’t even pretend to know. But just to give you an idea of what we’re dealing with here, Chase and his friends are the kind of people who would sell their own mothers for a hit, so you can only imagine the world we’re left with, with him and his fellow addicts being the only survivors. There’s no trust, no morals, no self-control, and hence no chance in hell of society ever rebuilding. Add to that, the characters discover that continuing to do drugs it the only way to stay alive and keep from turning into the monsters. There you go: survival and self-destruction, two sides of the same coin. Kinda puts an interesting spin on your typical zombie story, doesn’t it? Unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed with the ending. To be fair, given the nature of the story, I would have been surprised if I would have gotten a satisfying conclusion, but it was still very abrupt and left things hanging – and that’s a big pet peeve. To sum up: fascinating book, offering a different approach to zombies and the end of the world. I found Chase Daniels and his narration intensely off-putting, but I also see that as a testament to the author’s skill to write a believable, meth-addicted anti-hero type protagonist. The only things that kept me from enjoying this novel more was the writing style (though admittedly it worked very well for the story and character) and the ending. I would still heartily recommend this one to zombie fiction enthusiasts and those who are interested in checking out a unique take on the genre. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Oct 22, 2014
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Oct 31, 2014
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Sep 07, 2014
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Hardcover
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076532802X
| 9780765328021
| 076532802X
| 3.83
| 12,692
| Aug 26, 2014
| Aug 26, 2014
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liked it
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3 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum http://bibliosanctum.com/2014/11/17/r... I thought I would be going into Echopraxia with two strikes against me. Firs 3 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum http://bibliosanctum.com/2014/11/17/r... I thought I would be going into Echopraxia with two strikes against me. First, the fact that I haven’t read Blindsight which is the first book in the Firefall series, and second, there was the worry that the book would be too “hard sci-fi” for my tastes. Fortunately, neither really ended up being an obstacle. Sure, I had my issues with this novel, but those have little to do with my original concerns. It’s hard to explain a book like Echopraxia; this is one of those cases where it’s probably better to just let the publisher description do the talking: “The eve of the twenty-second century”, “a world where the dearly departed send postcards back from Heaven and evangelicals make scientific breakthroughs by speaking in tongues”, “genetically engineered vampires solve problems intractable to baseline humans”, “soldiers come with zombie switches that shut off self-awareness during combat”. It’s a whole other world, with a very different status quo. People like biologist Daniel Bruks who is adamant against upgrading himself with any implants or enhancements are seen as “old school”, living fossils that are still clinging on to an extinct way of life. While working in the field in the middle of the Oregon desert, he finds himself entangled in a conflict between a vampire and her entourage of zombie bodyguards versus a faction of technologically advanced Bicameral monks. Now he’s trapped on a ship headed to the center of the solar system to learn what happened to Blindsight, the expedition which took off years ago to investigate what appeared to be an alien signal. The ideas here are wild, spectacular and ambitious. The plot, on the other hand, is quite thin – another reason why it would be difficult to describe this novel. Echopraxia is a book that feels less concerned with providing a cohesive narrative, instead focusing more heavily on philosophical discussion and debate on the human condition. Great if like these kinds of books, not so great if you don’t. Personally, I really enjoyed the first hundred pages or so because it contained most of the story. Watts established the setting, the main characters and the conflict. But everything started unraveling after that point, and became unfocused and disorganized. The challenge for me was in trying to tease apart the jumble of ideas without allowing myself to be driven to distraction. Watts’ writing is laden with scientific jargon and not very easy on the eyes, making this one a slower read. Given the heavier themes and tinge of gloom, not to mention the fact there’s barely any plot, there’s just not too much energy to push it along. Not that I’m saying Echopraxia is a bad book. Far from it, in fact. I feel it has all the right ingredients, but the actual execution of all those great ideas leaves something to be desired. Over the years, I think I’ve come to gain a deeper appreciation for hard sci-fi. It’s still a struggle sometimes, I admit, but it’s no longer the insurmountable hurdle it once was. However, plot and characters rank high on my priority list. Compelling and cogent storytelling is still somewhat of a requirement in the question of whether or not I’ll enjoy a book. Unfortunately, parts of Echopraxia are just too inconsistent for me to embrace it with open arms, but Watts should be recognized for his incredible talent of making everything he writes about sound fascinating and convincing. This is not a book you’ll want to pick up for a light afternoon of reading, but it’s worth it if you’re up for a thoughtful discourse on the complexities of the human mind and consciousness. ...more |
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1
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Oct 29, 2014
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Nov 05, 2014
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Aug 05, 2014
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Hardcover
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0316278157
| 9780316278157
| 0316278157
| 3.95
| 244,885
| Jan 14, 2014
| Jun 10, 2014
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it was amazing
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5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum http://bibliosanctum.blogspot.com/201... I confess, I’m not very good when it comes to pulling information out of boo 5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum http://bibliosanctum.blogspot.com/201... I confess, I’m not very good when it comes to pulling information out of book descriptions. But all I know is, when I first heard about The Girl with All The Gifts, it piqued my interest right away. Here you have a story about a bright young girl named Melanie, who for some reason everyone seems deathly afraid of. Being held at gun-point while being strapped into a wheelchair just to go to class? Judging by level of paranoia with which she’s treated, you’d think little Melanie was Hannibal Lecter. The book jacket may be a little scarce on details, but there’s definitely something strange going on. So it really shouldn’t have surprised me when this book turned out to be Horror, and yet it did. Finding out about the genre, however, just made me even more excited to read it. And just when I thought things couldn’t get any better, OH HELLO, THEY DO! By now, I gather it’s pretty safe to explain why I had myself a personal little freak-out when it hit me just what I was in for with this story. After all, the revelation comes very early on in the novel and is hardly a spoiler, not to mention the book has been out in the UK for months now and the cat is out of the bag. But avert your eyes now if you would prefer to know absolutely ZIP about the book going in. Anyway, my excitement levels exploded when I realized that The Girl with All The Gifts…has zombies. And I haven’t even gotten to the best part yet. What makes this a great zombie book – a great book, PERIOD – is the science. Ah, gotta love science. Like I always say, if you want to see some scary stuff, look no further than Mother Nature. Heck, some of the most frightening, bone-chilling things I’ve ever seen in film aren’t in horror movies, but are in those dang Planet Earth documentaries. Who could forget the “Jungles” episode and the importance of fungi as illustrated by the life cycle of Ophiocordyceps unilatertalis? Oh, the sheer horror of watching the parasite take over an ant’s brain before the fruiting body explodes out of the back of its victim’s head, all while Sir David Attenborough goes on calmly narrating in those smooth, dulcet tones. That sequence was beyond traumatizing – but also fascinating. I remember being obsessed with the idea, thinking to myself, holy crap, someone pleeeeease write a zombie book based around this! Well, even though the video game The Last of Us might have done it first, M.R. Carey ended up granting me my wish. And he does it in such a spectacular way, wrapping this fantastic idea around a story filled with mystery, action, and lots of gut-wrenching heartbreak. The Girl with All The Gifts is everything I look for in a zombie book – tight, energetic pacing with all the savagery, suspense and tension – but it’s also so much more. For me, this book is the next step in zombie fiction, delivering on the survival and post-apocalyptic elements we all know and love, while pushing the envelope with new ideas and deep characterization. Due to its nature, it’s not surprising that the zombie-apocalypse survival subgenre tends to feature ruthlessness and characters with hard hearts who show no pity. But seeing the themes of mercy and compassion enter into the equation here is a nice change of pace. A lot of this is due to Melanie. If you also guessed from the description that there’s something different about her character, you’d be correct. Melanie is definitely a special little girl, and she’s part of what makes this book such an exceptional, atypical zombie novel and such a joy for me to read. Even though I can probably go on for another couple pages about why I loved this book, I really don’t want to give too much away. There are lots of surprises, including an unpredictable ending that truly stunned me. I loved this book to pieces. Haunting, powerful and poignant, The Girl with All The Gifts is a novel I would recommend highly and without reservation. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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May 22, 2014
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May 25, 2014
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May 15, 2014
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Hardcover
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1782064362
| 9781782064367
| 1782064362
| 4.04
| 26
| Nov 06, 2014
| Nov 06, 2014
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really liked it
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4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum http://bibliosanctum.com/2015/02/17/b... In 2013, Jo Fletcher Books sent me a copy of David Towsey’s Your Brother’s B 4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum http://bibliosanctum.com/2015/02/17/b... In 2013, Jo Fletcher Books sent me a copy of David Towsey’s Your Brother’s Blood and introduced me to a whole new perspective on the walking dead, and I realized I was looking at something very special. A “zombie-western series with the feels” is how I would describe The Walkin’ books, except I wouldn’t want to lead readers into a false sense of security either! Yes, while Towsey does show a more “human” side to zombies by letting them retain their emotions, intelligence and awareness of everything around them, like most tales that take place in the wild and lawless frontier, these novels possess an air of that steely grimness. Your Servants and Your People is the sequel to Your Brother’s Blood that takes place seven years later. In that time, many things have changed. The Walkin’, or those who have died and come back, are tolerated in society, if not wholly embraced. In many towns they are still discriminated against and treated as an inferior class, though without the need to eat or sleep, most find work as laborers for the living. Our protagonist Thomas McDermott on the other hand is a Walkin’ who just wants to be left alone. Since the end of the first book, he has reunited with his very-much-alive wife Sarah and daughter Mary, but there hasn’t yet been a happy ending for the three of them. In fact, the McDermotts are on the move again, looking for a place to settle after being forced to abandon home after home. Seems folks aren’t too accepting of a Walkin’ cohabiting with the living. Now Thomas is leading his family to a more remote part of the country, far away from the judging eyes of society, and escorting the McDermotts are a group of soldiers who are also on their way to the frontier garrison of Fort Wilson. The series is clearly maturing, with book two differing from its predecessor in several major ways. Firstly, the years have changed the characters, none more so than Mary, who was just a child in Your Brother’s Blood. That little girl has grown into a young woman, and gone is her sweet innocence, which has been replaced by a bitter aloofness. Mary doesn’t say much, but she doesn’t need to for readers to grasp that this is one angry and rebellious teenager. Towsey portrays her character with a quiet intensity; he’s really good when it comes to “showing, not telling” and I love his subtle touch with all his characters. The scope of the story has also expanded beyond the McDermott family. We branch into two significant threads here, the first one following Thomas, Sarah and Mary’s progress in establishing their homestead, and the second following the group of soldiers who were sent to Fort Wilson. A young man named Bryn is the focus of this second group, and he and comrades go through some awful, unspeakable things while holed up in that lonely outpost, things that I won’t go into detail here but that I will say are worthy of the most chilling of horror stories. In spite of that, there is a lesser sense of urgency here in Your Servants and Your People as compared to Your Brother’s Blood. The first book’s premise was a lot more intense, following Thomas and Mary as they flee desperately across a forbidding wasteland, trying to keep ahead of a gang of zealots bent on killing them both. In contrast, for most of this book the plot moves at a gentler and steadier pace. Thomas and his family make their way to a new part of the country, stake their claim on a piece of land and begin the slow task of building a house. It’s the classic pioneer’s life story…well, save for the fact that the head of your party is a zombie. These books have feeling because at their heart they are about love and devotion to family – after all, not even dying could stop Thomas from coming home to Mary, or from providing his wife and daughter a safe place to live. But there are still those who see him as an abomination and will stop at nothing to see him destroyed. I was hoping to finally see the McDermotts settle into their new life, because if anyone deserves a happy ending, it’s them. But as it turns out, the gradual pacing of this book fooled me into thinking that the threat was over, so that the bombshell the author dropped at the end crept up on me when I was least expecting it. Well played, Mr. Towsey. The Walkin’ series is fresh, richly imagined, and sure to stand out for readers looking for a new twist on a classic genre. Beautiful and haunting, Your Servants and Your People is a sequel that brings back everything that was great about Your Brother’s Blood but at the same time feels different enough for me to see that the series is evolving. David Towsey has a knack for writing very gritty, very real protagonists with depth, and my heart is aching and anxious for the McDermotts now, wondering what will happen to them in the next book. I’m definitely not missing out on the final installment of this trilogy. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Jan 20, 2015
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Jan 31, 2015
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Apr 08, 2014
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Paperback
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1616149825
| 9781616149826
| 1616149825
| 3.38
| 388
| Jan 01, 2014
| Oct 07, 2014
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really liked it
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4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum http://bibliosanctum.com/2014/11/25/b... I enjoyed Falling Sky a lot more than I thought I would. That’s no meagre ac 4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum http://bibliosanctum.com/2014/11/25/b... I enjoyed Falling Sky a lot more than I thought I would. That’s no meagre accomplishment, considering how many books are out there in the market these days involving zombies in a post-apocalyptic type future. But Rajan Khanna did not have to resort to any gimmicks or convoluted methods to make his novel stand out. All he did was come up with an awesome premise – that when a virulent epidemic broke out two generations ago and turned most of the population into mindless Ferals, humanity managed to survive by simply taking to the skies. That means airships. Entire cities that float. People like main protagonist and narrator Ben Gold feel most comfortable off the ground, because that translates to safety from coming in contact with the tainted blood of Ferals, and in turns means being able to live out another day. Ben, who has always been happy on his own piloting his airship Cherub, finds a way to make money by working with the intelligent and headstrong Miranda, leader of a group of ambitious scientists hoping to find a cure for the Feral virus. But then Valhalla strikes, and the skies are no longer a safe haven. A faction made up of savage pirates, Valhalla is bent on conquering and stealing from other settlements by employing the most depraved measures – like airlifting infected Ferals and dropping them into defenseless cities. After being caught in one such attack, Ben’s life is forever changed and he is forced to make some difficult decisions. He’s the kind of guy who’s always lived by the motto “Every man for himself”, but for the first time in his life he realizes there may be bigger things to fight for. I don’t think I would have enjoyed this book so much if it weren’t for Ben. I loved his voice and took to his casual and devil-may-care attitude right away, and I found that the first-person narrative in the present tense worked surprisingly well for the story. Ben isn’t exactly someone you can admire or point to as a good role model, but I liked him all the same. Somewhat self-serving at times and frequently having a short view of the problem, Ben doesn’t always mean to screw the people around him over, but his impulsive nature usually leads him to do it all the same. But he’s got a good heart, as proven by the many times he’s gone out of his way to try and repay a favor or make up for his mistakes, and I find that admirable. And fine, I’ll also admit he’s got a bit of that roguish charm which I find irresistible. You also have to love the mood of the story. One might expect a post-apocalyptic zombie book to be on the dark and grim side, but I would describe Falling Sky as more an adventurous and action-filled novel. That’s not to say the world that Ben lives in is without its grit and despair, because in fact, the author does a good job illustrating why a future infested with Ferals is not a very pleasant place to be. Mindless and violent beast-like zombies aside, so much technology has been lost and a lot of the crucial supplies like ammo and fuel from two generations ago have been depleted. But humanity has had enough time to deal with aftermath of the epidemic, and the tone that I get from the story is that life continues moving forward. Certain facets of society and culture have eroded away and things may be done a little differently, but people like Ben still have their sense of humor, and others like Miranda and her scientists have their hopes and dreams. My main complaint is that the ending came and went too quickly and suddenly. We are literally dropped into the conclusion, and…scene. All I can say is, I really, really, really hope there will be a sequel. The story may be more or less wrapped up, but because of the abruptness of the way things ended, I just can’t help but think it’s not over. If there’s a book two though, definitely sign me up for it. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Nov 14, 2014
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Nov 17, 2014
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Mar 17, 2014
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Paperback
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B00DUJ1VAQ
| 3.75
| 114
| Jul 08, 2013
| Jul 08, 2013
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really liked it
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4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum http://bibliosanctum.blogspot.com/201... I didn't think I was going to enjoy this book at first. Thank goodness I was 4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum http://bibliosanctum.blogspot.com/201... I didn't think I was going to enjoy this book at first. Thank goodness I was wrong! Still, can you really blame me for having my doubts? After being inundated in recent years with the dozens upon dozens of movies, TV shows, video games etc. all featuring the same mindless gory battles against the shambling, moaning hordes of the undead, my initial thought was: been there, done that, now what more can this zombie book offer? Well, this is the review where I happily eat my words! I should have known better anyway, because Ragnarok Publications has never let me down. As it turned out, Those Poor, Poor Bastards had a lot more to offer than I'd anticipated, in addition to that charming little title. The book did contain some of the usual trappings you'll find in a lot of zombie stories, but there were some twists as well, and I loved how the authors took the familiar and created something new. Also, while I haven't read enough of the Weird West sub-genre to consider myself a fan, a description like "Zombie Western" wasn't really something I could resist. It is 1868, in the Sierra Nevada. The book begins with Nina Weaver and her father Lincoln riding into Coburn Station only to find that everything has gone to hell in a chuckwagon. The "Deaduns" have arisen and are sowing bloody carnage all over town, forcing the living to band together in order to survive. In typical fashion, you end up with a large, diverse ensemble cast. And like watching The Walking Dead, you just know before you even begin that many of them are going to end up zombie food before this whole thing is over. Put a big group of people with disparate personalities into a stressful situation and you'll also inevitably get your clashes and alliances within the ranks. There are the good folks like Nina and her pa, the priest Father Mathias as well as the charming James Manning. On the other side of the fence you have the less savory types and troublemakers like the Daggett brothers or the scummy Mister Strobridge. Then there are those caught in the middle who just aren't sure. With tensions this high and a swarm of Deaduns at the door, it's the perfect set up for explosive conflict. Emphasis on explosive. So far, with the exception of the western setting, things might be sounding rather familiar. But then, the authors work their magic and you suddenly realize there is way more to this story. Bucking tradition, we're actually given an explanation into the Deaduns and how they came to be. Their origins and motives, not to mention the actual reveal itself, were so unique that it completely threw me for a loop -- in a good way! I have to say this ended up being a delightfully fun read, in all its blood-splattered glory. Those Poor, Poor Bastards also taught me something important about myself -- that I will never be too old or too jaded for a good ol' zombie story! What a fast-paced, crazy wild book. I think I'll just end this review with a suggestion to the potential reader: there are a lot of characters, so definitely try to tackle this novel all in one go if you can, ensuring that the dozen or so identities will always remain fresh in your mind. Besides, it shouldn't be too difficult -- because once you start reading, you just might find it hard to stop! ...more |
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Mar 2014
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Mar 05, 2014
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Feb 25, 2014
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Kindle Edition
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3.84
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really liked it
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Jun 27, 2025
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Dec 12, 2024
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4.08
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it was amazing
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Aug 28, 2021
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Dec 24, 2020
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3.78
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really liked it
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Aug 11, 2020
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Jan 16, 2020
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3.83
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really liked it
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Aug 29, 2019
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Mar 20, 2019
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3.48
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Apr 19, 2019
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Feb 10, 2019
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4.13
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it was amazing
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Apr 09, 2018
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Mar 20, 2018
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3.87
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really liked it
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Jan 13, 2019
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Aug 09, 2017
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4.43
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really liked it
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Apr 24, 2019
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Feb 19, 2017
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3.96
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really liked it
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May 06, 2017
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Aug 19, 2016
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3.47
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liked it
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Aug 02, 2016
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May 16, 2016
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3.77
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Nov 27, 2016
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Jan 19, 2016
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3.85
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really liked it
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May 14, 2016
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Dec 09, 2015
|
||||||
3.40
|
not set
|
Sep 14, 2015
|
|||||||
3.98
|
really liked it
|
Feb 24, 2016
|
Apr 06, 2015
|
||||||
3.57
|
liked it
|
Oct 31, 2014
|
Sep 07, 2014
|
||||||
3.83
|
liked it
|
Nov 05, 2014
|
Aug 05, 2014
|
||||||
3.95
|
it was amazing
|
May 25, 2014
|
May 15, 2014
|
||||||
4.04
|
really liked it
|
Jan 31, 2015
|
Apr 08, 2014
|
||||||
3.38
|
really liked it
|
Nov 17, 2014
|
Mar 17, 2014
|
||||||
3.75
|
really liked it
|
Mar 05, 2014
|
Feb 25, 2014
|