Sky Without Stars Review

When the Last Days came, the planet of Laterre promised hope.

Comic-Con 2018

NY Comic-Con

BEA/BOOKCON 2018

BOOK EXPO AMERICA

Friday, March 30, 2012

Becoming Review

295 pages

Every three years, Amber Hopkins explodes. Okay, not a blown-to-smithereens explosion, but whatever it is always hurts like hell and leaves her life a shambles. She’s already worked her way through five foster placements, and she’s doing whatever she can to avoid getting blasted into a sixth. As her eighteenth birthday approaches and she feels the strange and powerful energy building, disaster looms. When the inevitable explosion occurs, her life gets its biggest shakeup yet. She’ll not only learn how her fellow foster and best friend, Gabriel, really feels about her, but she’ll discover that she isn’t really without family. To top it all off, she’ll finally find out why she’s having the power surges: she isn’t entirely human. Amber must Become, transitioning to another plane of existence and risking the loss of the most important relationship she’s ever had. Her choice will impact the future of an entire race of beings, and will pit her against an enemy that will prey upon her doubt to try and take her very life. Kind of makes the explosions now seem like a cakewalk.

Review:
The only reason I finished this book was because I hate not finishing books. I also hate giving bad reviews but I believe in being honest with my readers. This wasn't necessarily a badly written book but I felt absolutely no connection to it whatsoever. There were a lot of different points of views from the characters in this book so at times it was hard to focus on the story. There was also an incredible amount of describing the scenery and surrounds of the characters, so much that it in fact overshadows the story. Amber is a slightly interesting character but I didn't really feel like I got to know her in this story. Even though Amber is supposed to be the main character she basically blends in with the other characters in the book. The mythology behind the book was also a bit confusing. I really wanted to like this book but honestly it wasn't for me at all. I can't recommend this book personally but if you like to read I guess this isn't a terribly bad choice to make.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Born Wicked Review

330 pages

Everybody knows Cate Cahill and her sisters are eccentric. Too pretty, too reclusive, and far too educated for their own good. But the truth is even worse: they’re witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it would mean an asylum, a prison ship—or an early grave. Before her mother died, Cate promised to protect her sisters. But with only six months left to choose between marriage and the Sisterhood, she might not be able to keep her word... especially after she finds her mother’s diary, uncovering a secret that could spell her family’s destruction. Desperate to find alternatives to their fate, Cate starts scouring banned books and questioning rebellious new friends, all while juggling tea parties, shocking marriage proposals, and a forbidden romance with the completely unsuitable Finn Belastra. If what her mother wrote is true, the Cahill girls aren’t safe. Not from the Brotherhood, the Sisterhood—not even from each other.

Review:
I literally could not put this book down. It was like a mix of historical, dystopian, with some supernatural aspects all in one. I love books that have magic in them and this one is no exception. The society is one where being a witch is forbidden as is being a woman who is too interested in education, books, etc. It wasn't always that way but the Brotherhood took over and now rule with an iron fist. Women have to either get married by 17 or join the Sisterhood. Cate is the main character and she is a strong heroine who will do any and everything to protect her sisters. I loved that the author created two likable suitors for her that were hard to choose between. I also appreciate that even though the romance was an important factor of this novel, it didn't overshadow everything else. This book ended with a bit of a cliffhanger and shocker that left me wondering what will happen next. I will definitely read the next book in this series when it comes out and I also recommend this novel to anyone who likes books full with magic that are also reminiscent of historical fiction novels.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Partials Review

472 pages

Humanity is all but extinguished after a war with partials—engineered organic beings identical to humans—has decimated the world’s population. Reduced to only tens of thousands by a weaponized virus to which only a fraction of humanity is immune, the survivors in North America have huddled together on Long Island. The threat of the partials is still imminent, but, worse, no baby has been born immune to the disease in over a decade. Humanity’s time is running out. When sixteen-year-old Kira learns of her best friend’s pregnancy, she’s determined to find a solution. Then one rash decision forces Kira to flee her community with the unlikeliest of allies. As she tries desperately to save what is left of her race, she discovers that the survival of both humans and partials rests in her attempts to answer questions of the war’s origin that she never knew to ask.

Review:
I don't read science fiction as much as I do other books because for some reason I'm not always able to get interested in it. However, this book was simply brilliant. Every female over 16 is required to get pregnant to ensure the best chances of having a baby that actually lives. Of course this creates a lot of problems and dissent within the surviving society that comes to a head later in the book. Kira is an amazing heroine with a deep secret that even she herself doesn't know. Kira is also willing to do anything to cure the virus that has decimated the human race and she goes through a lot to try to fix it. The partials are interesting in the sense that they are more alike and different from humans than they could ever imagine. This book is completely full of action and adventure that I could barely put it down. There are also a lot of twists and turns that make this novel unpredictable and exciting. I can't wait to see where Kira goes and what else she learns about herself in the next book. I definitely recommend this novel to those who like science fiction or just a generally great novel.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Everblue Review

304 pages

She wanted her life to change... he wanted his to stay the same. Best friends share everything with each other. Or do they? Seventeen-year-old Ashlyn Frances Lanski is tired of her boring, single life. Spending time with her best friend Tatiana, dreaming about kissing Tatiana's twin brother Fin, and swimming competitively are her only sanctuary. The girls plan to leave their drab lakeside town far behind for college. But when Tatchi fails to return home after a family emergency, and no one knows where the family has gone, Ash chooses to do something drastic to find them. Ashlyn is about to discover what she'd thought to be true her whole life, wasn't, and the truth, too fantastical to imagine. Secrets lurk beneath the deep blue waters of Lake Tahoe, secrets that will change Ashlyn's life forever.

Review:
This isn't a bad mermaid tale but it isn't exceptional either. This story is told both from the view of Ashlyn and Fin. Ashlyn is human and also seemingly insecure and not able to handle herself around guys very well. Fin is a strong and cute Merman who cares deeply about his family and Ashlyn. I actually liked reading Fin's side of the story better because there was more excitement especially when he was in the Mer world. Some of the things that happened in this novel were a bit random and out of the blue especially the things that happened to Ashlyn after Fin and Tatiana left. I liked the difference in the way this mer culture was formed compared to other mermaid books because it seemed fresh and unique. Despite the random things that happened, I do want to read the next book in the series to see what happens next in Ashlyn and Fin's story. Other than that I recommend this novel as a fun read for those who like mermaid tales with a bit of romance.

Monday, March 26, 2012

Classic Monday: Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

1839
554 pages

This darkly satiric indictment of the social ills of Victorian London tells the story of a young orphan who becomes involved with a gang of criminals.

I'm pretty sure most people have heard the name Oliver Twist even if they haven't read the book. Well this is the book. It is one of the great classics with a pretty nice story. Read it. :)

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Upcoming Reviews

ARC:
Elemental by Emily White
Middle Ground by Katie Kacvinsky

Bought:
Everblue by Brenda Pantos
Partials by Dan Wells

Friday, March 23, 2012

The Hunt Review

304 pages
Release date: May 8th, 2012

Don’t Sweat. Don’t Laugh. Don’t draw attention to yourself. And most of all, whatever you do, do not fall in love with one of them. Gene is different from everyone else around him. He can’t run with lightning speed, sunlight doesn’t hurt him and he doesn’t have an unquenchable lust for blood. Gene is a human, and he knows the rules. Keep the truth a secret. It’s the only way to stay alive in a world of night—a world where humans are considered a delicacy and hunted for their blood. When he’s chosen for a once in a lifetime opportunity to hunt the last remaining humans, Gene’s carefully constructed life begins to crumble around him. He’s thrust into the path of a girl who makes him feel things he never thought possible—and into a ruthless pack of hunters whose suspicions about his true nature are growing. Now that Gene has finally found something worth fighting for, his need to survive is stronger than ever—but is it worth the cost of his humanity?

Review (ARC):
The concept of this book is genius and the ending left me anticipating the next one. Finally some vampires that don't sparkle! Imagine a world where everyone is a vampire except for you. And you can't let anyone know or you'll be killed instantaneously. Gene has to live a very careful and precise life so that he can blend in with the other vampires. Just the slightest mistake can reveal that he's human and end his life forever. Gene is randomly chosen for a game to hunt humans. This is an even more dangerous experience than Gene has prepared for and it becomes a struggle for him to maintain. Being around other hunters and humans brings a lot of thoughts and questions that Gene hadn't had before. There is quite a bit of action and a little bit of romance in this novel. The ending reveals something MAJOR and then just ends so I definitely can't wait to read the next book. I definitely recommend this novel especially to those who like bloodthirsty vampires, action, adventure and just a generally awesome read.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Tomorrow Land Review




Can true love survive the end of the world? Imagine finding your first love, only to be ripped apart by the apocalypse. Peyton Anderson will never forget the day she was forced to make a choice--between her family--and Chris Parker, the boy she'd given her heart. Now, four years later, as she steps from the fallout shelter and into a dead and broken world, he's the only thing on her mind. All Chris "Chase" Parker wanted was to take Peyton away and keep her safe from harm. But he waited for hours in the rain on judgment day and she never showed--breaking his heart without ever telling him why. Now the two of them have been thrown together once again, reluctant chaperones to a group of orphan children in a post-apocalyptic world where the dead still walk...and feed. As they begin their pilgramage to the last human outpost on Earth, can they find a way to let go of old hurts and find the love they lost--all while attempting to save what's left of the human race?

Review (ARC):
I never get tired of the zombie apocalypse novels. Something about the danger adds some adventure to the novel. In this novel the view points alternate between Peyton and Chris in the past and present. Peyton is a strong female heroine who's father has been training her for the apocalypse he believes to be coming. Peyton also gets some added enhancements that make her tougher than normal people. I didn't like the fact that Peyton didn't do much with the enhancements and definitely didn't appreciate them by the end of the novel. Chris has been in love with Peyton forever but he goes through a lot of changes when Peyton leaves him. When Peyton and Chris finally meet up again its interesting to see the way their emotions and changes affect their relationship. I think there should have been a lot more awesome fight scenes in this book to make it even more exciting. Don't get me wrong, it was a pretty good book as dystopian novels go but it didn't really pull me in. I liked the fact that this book actually had an ending and not a sequel because its nice to see a conclusion to a story in one reading. I would recommend this novel to anyone who likes dystopian, zombie novels.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

The Fox Inheritance Review

294 pages

Once there were three. Three friends who loved each other—Jenna, Locke, and Kara. And after a terrible accident destroyed their bodies, their three minds were kept alive, spinning in a digital netherworld. Even in that disembodied nightmare, they were still together. At least at first. When Jenna disappeared, Locke and Kara had to go on without her. Decades passed, and then centuries. Two-hundred-and-sixty years later, they have been released at last. Given new, perfect bodies, Locke and Kara awaken to a world they know nothing about, where everyone they once knew and loved is long dead. Everyone except Jenna Fox.

Review:
As the continuation to Jenna Fox's story this is pretty good. I did wonder what had happened to Locke and Kara and this book definitely answers some questions. Locke seems to be a sweet guy who lets himself be manipulated by Kara even when he knows she's wrong. Kara has changed a lot from the girl that Jenna and Locke knew and her mind has been twisted from the years in isolation. Jenna has also changed a lot especially after being alive for over 200 years. I loved seeing how Jenna's life had changed. I feel like the climax of this book fell a little flat. I waited for a confrontation between Kara and Jenna an it wasn't as exciting as I thought it should be. Other than that I would only recommend reading this novel if you've read the first book.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

The Adoration of Jenna Fox Review

266 pages

Who is Jenna Fox? Seventeen-year-old Jenna has been told that is her name. She has just awoken from a coma, they tell her, and she is still recovering from a terrible accident in which she was involved a year ago. But what happened before that? Jenna doesn't remember her life. Or does she? And are the memories really hers?

Review:
I enjoyed this book and the ethical questions it brought up. How far would you go to bring a loved one back to life? Jenna unravels the mystery of her past and what exactly happened tin the accident as her memories slowly come back. Jenna is a character who doesn't really know who she is yet nor where she belongs. A lot of things happen in this book that help Jenna to learn about her past self and what she wants her future self to be. While this isn't the most exciting book action-wise its definitely an interesting read. I recommend this novel to anyone who likes a good science fiction type dystopian book.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Classic Monday: Animal Farm by George Orwell

1945
112 pages

Animal Farm is the most famous by far of all twentieth-century political allegories. Its account of a group of barnyard animals who revolt against their vicious human master, only to submit to a tyranny erected by their own kind, can fairly be said to have become a universal drama. Orwell is one of the very few modern satirists comparable to Jonathan Swift in power, artistry, and moral authority; in animal farm his spare prose and the logic of his dark comedy brilliantly highlight his stark message.

This book shows what happens when you follow blindly those who are in a position of power but are also corrupted. George Orwell wrote this novel as symbolism for the Russian Revolution and he does a brilliant job. I'm not sure if this is still on the reading list for kids in school these days but this is definitely one of those eye-opener classics.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Upcoming Reviews

ARC:
The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda
Tomorrow Land by Mari Mancusi

Bought:
The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E Pearson
The Fox Inheritance by Mary E Pearson

Friday, March 16, 2012

All These Things I've Done Review

354 pages

In 2083, chocolate and coffee are illegal, paper is hard to find, water is carefully rationed, and New York City is rife with crime and poverty. And yet, for Anya Balanchine, the sixteen-year-old daughter of the city's most notorious (and dead) crime boss, life is fairly routine. It consists of going to school, taking care of her siblings and her dying grandmother, trying to avoid falling in love with the new assistant D.A.'s son, and avoiding her loser ex-boyfriend. That is until her ex is accidently poisoned by the chocolate her family manufactures and the police think she's to blame. Suddenly, Anya finds herself thrust unwillingly into the spotlight--at school, in the news, and most importantly, within her mafia family.

Review:
I thought the whole idea of a dystopian crime family made this an interesting book. Anya is an extremely realistic individual who sees the world for what it is and not in a constant romantic way. Anya is torn between doing whats right for her family and figuring out who she is and what she wants out of life. The romance between Anya and the D.A.'s son, Win, is intense but practical. Anya doesn't lose her head over romance. The poisoned chocolate mystery makes this book even more interesting. Its kind of funny to think of a crime family trafficking chocolate but its definitely different. For the most part this book was an ok read even though it didn't completely change my life. I recommend this for those who like crime novels mixed with some dystopian fiction.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

When the Sea is Rising Red Review

296 pages

After seventeen-year-old Felicita’s dearest friend, Ilven, kills herself to escape an arranged marriage, Felicita chooses freedom over privilege. She fakes her own death and leaves her sheltered life as one of Pelimburg’s magical elite behind. Living in the slums, scrubbing dishes for a living, she falls for charismatic Dash while also becoming fascinated with vampire Jannik. Then something shocking washes up on the beach: Ilven's death has called out of the sea a dangerous, wild magic. Felicita must decide whether her loyalties lie with the family she abandoned . . . or with those who would twist this dark power to destroy Pelimburg's caste system, and the whole city along with it.

Review:
I really thought this book would be completely different and better than it was. It was a little bit of a disappointment. First off it has a kind of historical fiction feel to it and even though I'm a fan of historical fiction it just felt off to me. Felicita was a promising character because she is the type of heroine I love. Felicita is strong, brave and ready for adventure. The people Felicita meets along the way are interesting characters that introduce her to a new type of life. I think that the mystery in the book started out interesting and I actually was interested to see where it went. However, I was a bit confused by the time the end of the book came along, I'm still not sure exactly what happened. Its not that I didn't understand what happened, I just feel like it fell a bit flat and the characters decisions didn't seem in keeping with their character. Besides all of that this was an ok book. I can't necessarily say I recommend it but if you want to read it to pass some time its a good read for that.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Goddess Interrupted Review

304 pages

Kate Winters has won immortality. But if she wants a life in the Underworld with Henry, she’ll have to fight for it. Becoming immortal wasn’t supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she’s as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he’s becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate’s coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans. As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person who is the greatest threat to her future. Henry’s first wife, Persephone.

Review (ARC):
I actually enjoyed this novel more than the first one. Kate has grown a lot since the last novel but still has some of the same insecurities and fears. I loved seeing Kate's bravery in trying to save Henry and her other friends from the King of the Titans. Henry is still the mysterious, brooding type who you just want to see happy with Kate. The conflict between Henry and Kate causes a lot of emotion on Kate's part and I really empathized with her. The meeting between Persephone and Kate was everything you expect it to be and more. It brings up a lot of questions and answers about Henry for Kate. There is also the romantic triangle between James, Kate, and Henry even though it seems a bit one-sided on some parts. Other than the romantic drama there is a fair amount of action. I was completely hooked and the ending leaves you with a cliffhanger that makes you anticipate the next book. I definitely recommend that you read this novel but make sure you read The Goddess Test first.

Monday, March 12, 2012

Classic Monday: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare

1623
1248 pages

This complete and unabridged edition contains every word that Shakespeare wrote — all 37 tragedies, comedies, and histories, plus the sonnets. You’ll find such classics as The Tempest, Much Ado About Nothing and The Taming of the Shrew.

William Shakespeare's plays and poetry are the definition of classic. Shakespeare's brilliance at writing has created some masterful stories that have lasted throughout time. I think acquiring all of Shakespeare's works in one book is a definite must have.

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Upcoming Reviews


ARC:
Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter

Bought:
When the Sea is Rising Red by Cat Hellisen
All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin
The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E Pearson

Thursday, March 8, 2012

The Goddess Test Review

293 pages

In a modern-day take on the myth of Persephone, 18-year-old Kate Winters is thrust into a mythical world, where she must pass seven impossible tests and outsmart a spiteful god in order to save the life of not just her mother but of her captor as well.

Review:
I love Greek mythology and this book is a great spin on classic mythology. If you know the story of Persephone you are familiar with Hades and other main Greek characters. This novel is a twist on that story. Kate is a wonderful main character although a bit uncomfortable with herself at times. I love the fact that Kate does the most for the ones she loves. Hades aka Henry is a bit too brooding for the most part but this adds to the reality of him being in love with Persephone for thousands of years. I liked the added mystery of trying to figure out who was killing all the girls who were trying to pass the test. I think this novel could have been a bit more detailed at points but other than that it was a good read, lighthearted at times, with a slightly romantic undercurrent. I would recommend this to anyone who likes Greek mythology but doesn't expect this novel to keep strictly to the original tales.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Ordinary Magic Review

256 pages

In Abby’s world, magic isn’t anything special: it’s a part of everyday life. So when Abby learns that she has zero magical abilities, she’s branded an "Ord"—ordinary, bad luck, and quite possibly a danger to society. The outlook for kids like Abby isn’t bright. Many are cast out by their families, while others are sold to treasure hunters (ordinary kids are impervious to spells and enchantments). Luckily for Abby, her family enrolls her in a school that teaches ordinary kids how to get around in a magical world. But with treasure-hunting kidnappers and carnivorous goblins lurking around every corner, Abby’s biggest problem may not be learning how to be ordinary—it’s whether or not she’s going to survive the school year!

Review (ARC):
I never thought I would really like a book about "ordinary" people. In a world of magic the main characters are those who have absolutely no magic at all. Somehow the author manages to make the lives of those without magic more exciting than the lives of those with magic. Abby is one of those "ordinary" people who comes from a family of magic users. However, Abby's life doesn't suck like most people who discover they are Ords. Rather she has a loving family who support her even though she's an Ord. There are all kinds of dangers for those without magic including being kidnapped, sold, and even killed. When Abby ends up going to the school for Ords she learns more about surviving in a magical world than she thought possible. This book is packed with danger, adventure and friendship. I definitely recommend this as a must read book for those who love magical adventures and stories with a twist.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Shatter Me Review

338 pages
Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days. The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color. The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now. Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

Review:
When I first started reading this book the way it was written made me think it was going to be terribly boring. I'm glad to find out that I was wrong. This novel is narrated mostly through Juliette writing in her journal. At first it seems like Juliette is crazy because all she has is her journal to express herself in and no one to speak to at all. However, as the novel goes on and Juliette meets and interacts with new people we see her begin to change. I loved Juliette as a character because even though she has such a strong and deadly power she refuses to use it even when it could make her life easier. There is romance and a triangle of sorts in this novel as well as a lot of action. I loved the way Juliette's power was explained in the end and I honestly can't wait for the next novel so that I can see what else happens. I definitely recommend this novel to those who like a good dystopian novel with an interesting twist.

Monday, March 5, 2012

Classic Monday: Dracula by Bram Stoker

1897
433 pages

Mysterious, gloomy castles and open graves at midnight are just two of the Gothic devices used to chilling effect in this 19th-century horror classic that turned an obscure figure from Eastern European folklore into a towering icon of film and literature.

Everyone knows who Dracula is but not many know Bram Stoker's Dracula. We know Hollywood's version of vampires but we don't realize where the original story began. Dracula shows the real horrific side to vampires and creates a chilling atmosphere in this novel. This is a must read classic.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Update on the 2012 Debut Author Challenge



Ms. Book Queen is participating in the 2012 Debut Author Challenge over at http://thestorysiren.com

The objective: To read & review a minimum of twelve young adult or middle grade debut novels between the dates of January 1, 2012 - January 31, 2013.

The deadline to join is May 31, 2012.

The books I have read and reviewed are linked:

  1. Cinder by Marissa Meyer
  2. Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
  3. Above by Leah Bobet
  4. Article 5 by Kristen Simmons
  5. The Selection by Kiera Cass
  6. The Other Life by Susanne Winnacker
  7. Candlewax by C. Bailey Sims
  8. Above World by Jenn Reese
  9. Tangled Tides by Karen Amanda Hooper
  10. The Book of Wonders by Jasmine Richards
  11. The Glimpse by Claire Merle
  12. Incarnate by Jodi Meadows
Three left to read :)

Friday, March 2, 2012

The Book of Wonders Review

416 pages

Magic, Djinn, Ogres, and Sorcerers. Thirteen-year-old Zardi loves to hear stories about fantastical beings, long banned from the kingdom of Arribitha. But anyone caught whispering of their powers will feel the rage of the sultan—a terrifying usurper who, even with his eyes closed, can see all. When her own beloved sister is captured by the evil ruler, Zardi knows that she must go to any lengths to rescue her. Along with her best friend, Ridhan—a silver-haired, violet-eyed boy of mysterious origins—and an unlikely crew of sailors led by the infamous Captain Sinbad, Zardi ventures forth into strange and wondrous territory with a seemingly impossible mission: to bring magic back to Arribitha and defeat the sultan once and for all.

Review:
A good fantasy novel is full with adventure, magic, and faraway places! This book definitely fulfills all of those qualities. The novel seems to be a twist on the Arabian Nights tales and even though it incorporates those tales its completely fresh and different. Zardi is a strong heroine who is ready for adventure and to help those she loves. I really liked the mystery surrounding Ridhan's origins and I'm interested to see what happens next for him. I loved the magical adventure that this novel is full of and even though the heroine is young that doesn't make the novel any less exciting. I will definitely be reading the next novel in the series when it comes out and I can't wait to see what's next in Zardi and Ridhan's story. I definitely recommend this book for those who love fantasy, magic and adventure in far off places.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Zombies Don't Cry Review

371 pages

Maddy Swift is just a normal girl—a high school junior surviving class with her best friend and hoping the yummy new kid, Stamp, will ask her out. When he finally does, her whole life changes. Sneaking out to meet Stamp at a party one rainy night, Maddy is struck by lightning. After awakening, she feels lucky to be alive. Over time, however, Maddy realizes that she’s become the thing she and everyone else fear most: the living dead. With no heartbeat and no breath in her lungs, Maddy must learn how to survive as a zombie. Turns out there’s a lot more to it than shuffling around 24/7 growling, “Brains.” Needing an afterlife makeover is only the beginning of her problems. As Barracuda Bay High faces zombie Armageddon, Maddy must summon all of her strength to protect what matters most—just as soon as she figures out exactly what that is.

Review:
This is one of those books that you read just because you might have spare time. Most of this novel was really entertaining but parts of it just didn't make much sense to me at all. Maddy and her friendship with her "best" friend seems completely toxic and it irritates me how accepting Maddy is about it. I do have to give the author props for describing most female friendships perfectly though (lol). Maddy also seems to be confused about her romantic interest especially when one pops up out of nowhere. I literally could not see how that second relationship even developed. Then there's the contradiction with the zombie laws and what actually happens but I won't ruin the novel. Other than that I found this novel to be funny at times and had a great zombie battle scene. I recommend this book if you are looking for a quick and funny read.