A Mad Zombie Party #review

 

Title: A Mad Zombie Party

Author: Gena Showalter

Series: White Rabbit Chronicles 4

Publisher: Harlequin Australia

Source: Netgalley

Release Date: September 17 2015

Buy Now:

Amazon (currently at time of posting on special for $1.99

Goodreads

The enemy has risen from the grave. Together we slayers must stand, or one by one we will fall.

Ali Bell’s crew of zombie slayers thought they’d won the war against Anima Industries, the evil company responsible for capturing and experimenting on zombies in an effort to discover the secret to immortality. In the last epic clash, the slayers lost many of their crew and closest friends. But Frosty, the ice man himself, has not recovered from one casualty in particular — the love of his life, Kat Parker.

On the path to self-annihilation, Frosty receives a message from beyond — Kat’s spirit returns, insisting he partner with rogue slayer Camilla Marks. Frosty will do anything for Kat. Except that. Camilla’s betrayal caused Kat’s death.

But when Anima rises from the grave stronger than ever, Frosty, Camilla and all the slayers will have to work together to survive. And one broken slayer will learn that sometimes the line between hate and attraction is blurred… and the road to redemption may mean letting go of the past and grabbing hold of the future. (

My Thoughts

 

I loved this book,

At first I was put off by the change in POV, after reading the series in Ali’s voice it took a little bit to get use to it, but after a while I just fell for the storyline.

One person I really didn’t expect to get a happy ending was Frosty, after the death of Kat, I really wanted those two to make it, even with their up and down relationship they were still made for each other.

When Millia shows up and Frosty and her spend time and start to fall in love, I though that it was a bit early for Frosty to be moving on especially with the woman that helped cause her death.

As the story progresses however Gena has a wonderful way of bringing these two together without offending Kat lovers.

Milla is a strong female character and because of this I really feel like her and Frosty will be a perfect match without all the drama that he and Kat shared.

I really enjoyed this book and being the last in the series didn’t disappoint. I highly recommend it.

After the Cure by Deirdre Gould Review

 

Title: After the Cure

Author: Deirdre Gould

Series: After the Cure 1

Publisher: Independant

Source: Brought

Release Date: August 24 2013

Buy Now:

Amazon – currently free

Goodreads

Eight years ago the December Plague swept through the human population of earth. The Infected were driven mad by the disease, becoming violent and cannibalistic, killing even those closest to them without hesitation. Six years ago, the tiny surviving community of Immune humans found a cure, and the Infected began to wake up and realize what they’d done. Over time, society has begun to rebuild itself. It’s now ready to judge those responsible for the Plague. Nella Rider, the court psychologist and Frank Courtlen a defense attorney are trying to establish the truth. But more depends on it than they know. Can they find the answers they need before the fragile remains of humanity vanish for good?

My Thoughts

 

 

Everyone knows I love outbreak and Zombie Fiction, I am happy to say that After the Cure is a step away from the traditional Zombie book, because instead of focusing on the outbreak and how it happens and how people survive, the story instead revolves around what happens after people are cured from the disease.

I love the moral dilemmas of how do people deal with the cured, how do you get past what they have done to survive as they were, and even worse how do the previously infected live with themselves knowing exactly what they have done to the people they love.

Dr Nella , our heroine survived the outbreak, it is now her job to work out who was responsible for the outbreak in the first place.

I loved this book, once started it was hard to put down.  The story is horrifying but heartbreaking at the same time, with action put in the mix.

I highly recommend this book for people who love Zombie fiction but are getting a bit board with the usual storyline.

 

 

The Queen of Zombie Hearts by Gena Showalter #Review

 

Title: The Queen of Zombie Hearts

Author: Gena Showalter

Series: Alice in Zombieland

Publisher: Harlequin Books

Source: Brought from Harlequin Au

Release Date: September 30 2014

Buy Now:

Amazon

Goodreads

My Thoughts

This was the Best book yet in the Series! I could not put it down, Ali was awesome as usual but we got deeper insight into her unusual talents and family.
Ali and Cole dive deeper into their relationship, which is still a bit rocky but without over doing the tension between them, They are both such strong, Independent characters that they have to rub each other the wrong way sometimes.

Kat was as sweet and funny as usual and with her relationship with frosty giving us some comedic relief really Kat is one of my favourites I want to see a book about her or Emma. I love her relationship with frosty, she is such a beautiful person and is a rock for all the characters.

So much heartbreak in this story, and yes characters are lost to us, but it was done so beautiful and without making you scream at Gena, of course you are going to bawl your eyes out, but like I said it is done beautifully and with so much action happening in the storyline you don’t really get much of a chance to grieve.

I really didn’t want this series to end I love it so much, but everything was wrapped up nicely with lots of action, tension and heartbreak, It was the perfect end and I really hope we can get a spin off.

Previous Books:

Alice in zombieland                                                     Through the Zombie Glass

 

What Remains by Kay Holland #Review

Title: What Remains

Author:Kay Holland

Series: Dead World #1

Publisher: Indie Inked

Source: with thanks from Publisher and Netgalley for Honest Review

Release Date: September 21st 2013

Add to Goodreads

The Synopsis

Project Fed. It was supposed to be the answer to hunger, but
instead, it was the destruction of the world as we knew it. The growth of chemically enhanced “super” fruits and vegetables began in unmarked farms across the Nations, as well as their distribution in small towns. Within hours of Project Fed’s first delivery and primary consumption, something far beyond expectancy was unleashed. Something far beyond what anyone could help.

Four months later, Seventeen year old Max Cade is trying to
survive amongst what remains of her old life. In an effort to escort an awry “Doctor” from one camp to the next, she will have to reintroduce her two young friends to the horrors beyond their shelter that she so badly wanted to shield them from. Getting there was supposed to be the easy part, but when travelling through a world of ruin, sometimes the undead have other plans.

My Thoughts

 

 

Ok Three hearts may be a bit generous with this one.  I love Zombie books, I don’t think I will ever get sick of them, So I held great hopes for What remains, The cover is bright and really well made and eye catching.  The plot however was interesting and a great twist on how the Zombie Virus spreads.

The storyline is choppy at times, skipping whole months at a time, the characters have unrealistic beliefs such as Max believing a Pre Med student could find the cure for  a Virus when no scientist could.  The editing also really needs to be looked at.

Apart from those points, it really is a good story, Max is babysitting when the shit hits the fan, she takes care of two kids and drive them to a military base. Max is automatically signed up as a guard and they try to help keep things in order at the base, Putting down anyone that has the virus.  I had problems with this fact as well, It was as if Kay was describing cattle being shot not humans and children.

The base becomes compromised and Max has to escort the Pre Med Dr everyone is pinning their hopes on and the two kids to another base which their trip as you can imagine goes from bad to worse.

A good short book for when you have nothing else to read, After some Editing What remains would be a wonderful story.

 

ARV – 3 by Cameo Renae Review

Title: ARV- 3

Author: Cameo Renae

Series: The After Life Saga #1

Publisher: Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing

Source: Netgalley for Honest Review

Release Date: November 26th 2013

Goodreads

Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

The beginning of the end. The Apocalypse.

A nuclear fallout wiped out every living thing on the planet, except for a few thousand of us who took shelter in underground bunkers across the globe. Now, after thirteen long years, we were finally able to return to the topside to begin to rebuild.

We thought we were alone. We were never more wrong.

Before the fallout, scientists had worked on creating an anti-radiation vaccine (ARV). The first two attempts failed, but despite the incomplete tests and results, the government approved and distributed the third serum to the masses in an effort to aid those who had no shelter.

It worked, keeping those who remained on the topside alive, but it also altered and mutated them. This new and infectious threat had completely outnumbered us. Now, we not only had to rebuild our planet. We would have to fight for it.

My name is Abigail Park. I’m seventeen, and this is my story

My Thoughts

I have read so many wonderful books this year but ARV-3 was one that kept me up all night reading.  The cover is amazing and drew me straight to it, I didn’t even read the synopsis first.

Abi is seventeen but she has spent the last 13 years underground in a bunker that her father made before the world ended, with a timeline well thought out and explained you were never lost and you could just immerse yourself in the story, without all the, I wonder what happened to the world? Abi has been trained from a young age on how to survive what may come when they open the door and emerge to discover what has been happening on the surface.

The plot moves pretty fast, with heaps happening I love the little differences that sets Arv-3 apart from the usual zombie story, from Abi’s family being preppers, to the destruction of the world and to the horrors that await her and her family and friends when they surface, which include fast, thinking zombies that are starting a war with the survivors, Time flew by while I was reading and I could not put it down. I cannot rave enough about this book I highly recommend it for anyone that loves a good zombie survival story.

It is not all action though there is some sweet romance themes as well as Abi comes to realize that she has fallen in love with Finn who his mother and himself were a late addition to their hive, it is a sweet romance that unfolds between all the horrors happening above ground.  I cannot wait until the next book comes out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Breathe Review by Sarah Crossan

Dystopia

Title: Breathe

Author: Sarah Crossan

Series: Breathe #1

Publisher: Green Willow

Source: Brought from Kobo

The Synopsis

Inhale. Exhale.
Breathe.
Breathe.
Breathe . . .
The world is dead.
The survivors live under the protection of Breathe, the corporation that found a way to manufacture oxygen-rich air.

Alina
has been stealing for a long time. She’s a little jittery, but not terrified. All she knows is that she’s never been caught before. If she’s careful, it’ll be easy. If she’s careful.

Quinn
should be worried about Alina and a bit afraid for himself, too, but even though this is dangerous, it’s also the most interesting thing to happen to him in ages. It isn’t every day that the girl of your dreams asks you to rescue her.

Bea
wants to tell him that none of this is fair; they’d planned a trip together, the two of them, and she’d hoped he’d discover her out here, not another girl.

And as they walk into the Outlands with two days’ worth of oxygen in their tanks, everything they believe will be shattered. Will they be able to make it back? Will they want to?

My Thoughts

This was an amazing story, I loved it from the beginning and could not put it down!   Bea lives in a world without oxygen, years before there was a corporation that when everything went pear-shaped, they created these domes that is full of synthetic oxygen, the oxygen is taxed just like electricity the more you use the more it costs, this is not a problem for “premiums” such a  Bea’s best friend Quinn as a premium he is rich and lives in a nice home, and has all the oxygen he wants, the premiums can exercise and do what they like, while everyone else such as bea’s family has to tie down toddlers to their bed so they don’t run around and use up oxygen, They are not allowed to use excess outside either so no exercise or running allowed.

Alina is part of the resistance, she and others believe that if they can steal seeds and take them outside the dome they can cultivate new trees and maybe one day they could live outside without tanks again.

The plot moves really fast, so fast that you can’t put it down, Bea is in love with Quinn, and her parents are pushing her to marry him so she can live as a Premium too, but Quinn has his eyes on Alina, it is not often in a book a love triangle is focused on two women and a man instead of the other way around. Although I was more emotional about it and felt horrible for Bea especially when Quinn helps Alina escape the dome while Bea prepares to tell Quinn how she feel about him on a camping trip outside the Dome.

while outside they come across some horrible secrets that Breathe have been keeping from them.  Fast paced, full of Romance, Action and Adventure Breathe is a must read and I am looking forward to reading Resist.

Red Hill review by Jamie Mcguire

Apocalypse / zombies

 

Title: Red Hill

Author: Jamie Mcguire

Series: Standalone

Publisher: Simon and Shulster

Source: Brought from Kobo

The Synopsis

For Scarlet, raising her two daughters alone makes fighting for tomorrow an everyday battle. Nathan has a wife, but can’t remember what it’s like to be in love; only his young daughter Zoe makes coming home worthwhile. Miranda’s biggest concern is whether her new VW Bug is big enough to carry her sister and their boyfriends on a weekend escape from college finals.

When reports of a widespread, deadly “outbreak” begin to surface, these ordinary people face extraordinary circumstances and suddenly their fates are intertwined. Recognizing they can’t outrun the danger, Scarlet, Nathan, and Miranda desperately seek shelter at the same secluded ranch, Red Hill. Emotions run high while old and new relationships are tested in the face of a terrifying enemy—an enemy who no longer remembers what it’s like to be human.

Set against the backdrop of a brilliantly realized apocalyptic world, love somehow finds a way to survive. But what happens when the one you’d die for becomes the one who could destroy you?

Red Hill grabs you from page one and doesn’t let go until its stunning conclusion. This is #1 New York Times bestselling author Jamie McGuire at her unforgettable best.

My Thoughts

This book is every mothers worst nightmare, Something terrible happening and being unable to reach your children.  The day the shit hits the fan, Scarlets daughters are visiting their father and Scarlet is at work, the outbreak is slow to publicize at first it is just a mention on the news and later as Scarlet is working at the hospital people start coming in with this mystery illness, at first it is just a disease Scarlet panics a bit but then the dead rise and the panic for everyone sets in.  For all our Main Characters Scarlet, Nathan and his daughter and Miranda and her friends their only thoughts are to head to the country away from the infected in the cities and try to reunite with their loved ones.

I loved how all the characters are joined by fate, their lives are inexplicably drawn to each other even though they don’t realise it and in the end they all end up in the same place Red Hill, Scarlet never gives up hope that their children will find their way to her at red hill. I found this part of the story heartbreaking, as a mother it is the worst scenario, she knows her young children know the way but with so many people dead and plenty of zombies between their father’s house and Red hill she has to believe they will come.  So with the help of others they go out for some zombie ass kicking fun.

The stories are more realistic than most zombie stories you really get a deep feel for the characters although some characters I found there was drama where it didn’t really make sense, which was one thing I didn’t  like about the novel when a story line happens for a while finally gets good and then it is a waste when someone dies straight away. It makes you feel like what was the point?

But other than that I enjoyed this story it is a gritty story of survival and hope and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys Zombie Apocalyptic novels but with a human depth to it.

 

Feed by Mira Grant

 

 Zombie Apocalypse

Feed

Author: Mira Grant

Series: Newsflesh #1

Published: May 2001

Length: 571 pages

Publisher: Orbit

Source: Brought Audio Book From Audible

Genre: Apocalypse

The Synopsis:

The year was 2014. We had cured cancer. We had beaten the common cold. But in doing so we created something new, something terrible that no one could stop. The infection spread, virus blocks taking over bodies and minds with one, unstoppable command: FEED. Now, twenty years after the Rising, bloggers Georgia and Shaun Mason are on the trail of the biggest story of their lives – the dark conspiracy behind the infected. The truth will get out, even if it kills them.

 

This is the First Audio Book I have ever listened too, I loved the fact that If I could not sleep I would listen quietly to the Zombie apocalypse, lol not the perfect bed time story but it worked.

I loved the fact that Feed is not your usual Zombie novel, the story starts twenty years after a virus destroyed the population of the world, People are rebuilding and are tested constantly to make sure they are virus free.

 

After the deadly virus was spread, the news treated the fact that people were reporting Zombie Attacks as if they were a joke, no one took them seriously until it was too late, except for bloggers, who wrote about it.  Now 20 years later Bloggers are the main news source, Including our heroes brother and sister team Georgia and Shaun.  

A presidential campaigner; chooses Shaun and Georgia to follow him on his tour and be his main source of coverage. At first things are going fine, Until they stumble upon a terrorist attack, someone has done the unthinkable and released the virus on purpose now it is up to Georgia and Shaun to uncover a terrorist plot and keep themselves alive.

There seemed to be a lot of political or technology talk going on through the story, which put a dampener on the action and plot, Which at times I found boring or wanting to skip through.  There is not a lot of gore or sex like in most stories, although there is a few heart wrenching points throughout where a main character had to kill someone they knew because of the virus, which really sent me to tears because you do become emotionally connected to the characters.

Overall Feed was an enjoyable story, I might have enjoyed it more If I had of read it instead of listening to it, only because I retain more information, but It still had its slow bits.  I recommend if you want to read a zombie book with more suspense in it than violence and gore.

I don’t know if at this point I will continue with the series, not because it is bad but because I became emotionally invested in a character that died and I don’t know if I want to go on because of that.

 

The Forest of Hands and Teeth – Review

The Forest of Hands and Teeth

by Carrie Ryan

Expected Publication: April 2013

Length: 322 pages

ISBN: 0385736827

Publisher:  Gollancz

Synopsis from Goodreads

In Mary’s world there are simple truths. The Sisterhood always knows best. The Guardians will protect and serve. The Unconsecrated will never relent. And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village; the fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth. But, slowly, Mary’s truths are failing her. She’s learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power, and about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness. When the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, she must choose between her village and her future—between the one she loves and the one who loves her. And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded in so much death?

 My Review:

Wow, I never thought I would call a book about Zombies beautiful, but The forest of Hands and Teeth, just grabs you from the start to the finish.  It is a beautiful Haunting Dystopian Read, about a village that is kept safe from surrounding zombies by a large fence, the villagers are taught that the surrounding forest is all that is in the world, nothing else exists.

Mary is different to everyone else in the Village, she doesn’t believe that the forest and their village is the only life left in the world, her family have passed down stories of oceans, that Mary becomes obsessed with.

After Mary’s parents are killed she is sent to live in a convent type building run by the sisters, they are also in charge of the village, Mary starts to uncover that the Sisters may not be telling the truth and that there is life outside their walls.  The village is thrown into chaos when the zombies, breach their walls leaving mary and a handful of others (including the boy who is supposed to marry Mary and his brother who Mary loves.) to wander the forest to find the ocean and any other surviving villages.

I loved this story and I am looking forward to reading the rest in the series.

Dystopian Challenge 2013

 

 

 

Completed!

Love Dystopian books? Then this is just the right thing for you! If you’re as big of a fan as I am of post-apocalyptic dystopia books (and even if your are not) you are welcome to join the challenge!

We will try to read 24 Dystopian books in 2013 as the challenge goal, which means 2 per month, if you would like to read them monthly. You can of course make your own schedule. 2 per month is plenty because it still gives you time to explore and love books from other genres.

At the end of the year there will also be a giveaway with great prizes!

Rules

> The challenge will run from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013. Each month will have its own link form so you will be able to share your book reviews. You do not have to review the books you read to participate, but only those who read/reviewed at least one dystopian book will be able to participate in the giveaway (you can track your reading without the reviews with Goodreads, Shelfari etc.).

> Books that count in this challenge must include any form of post-apocalyptic theme (book sites like Goodreads are good sources of genre information). The books must befull-length.

> All formats allowed.

> Rereads allowed.

> It does not matter whether it’s a series or a stand-alone book.

> If you are participating, grab the challenge button from below and post it on you blog. You can also make a post with the header (the code is also below). Please include the link back to this post so others will be able to participate as well.

> If you will participate, put the sign-up link to your blog post (about the challenge) or blog (for the button) directly into the linky below. Sign-ups will be open until December 20, 2013.

> You do not have to list your books in advance, go and do as you please. Read as many as you want (you can read more than 24!) and whenever you want, as long as you have fun!

> Info about the giveaway will be available in December 2013.

Levels

Level 1: Recruit (1 to 6 books)

Level 2: Rebel (7 to 12 books)

Level 3: Revolutionist (13 to 18 books)

Level 4: Leader (19+ books)

Each time you reach a new level, you will receive a badge.

As an avid reader I absolutely love Dystopian novels, they are my favourite genre to read. give me wastelands, Zombies, Viruses, Robots you name it, I crave it so this is a great challenge for me to join, as I am always on the lookout for new dystopians to read.

I am Going for the Rank of Rebel for this year, as this is my first year blogging I don’t want to overwhelm myself too much. But if I happen to read more, then great.

Here is the list of what I have read so far this year.

1. The Elite – By Keira Cass
2. After the Ending – By Lindsey Fairleigh and Lindsey Pogue
3. The Eternity Cure – By Julie Kagawa
4. The Forest of Hands and Teeth – By Carrie Ryan
5. The Program – By Suzanne Young
6. Across the Universe – By Beth Revis
7. The Island – by Jen Minkman
8. Gameboard of the Gods – Richelle Mead
9. The Testing-  Joelle Charbonneau
10. Mortality – by Kellie Sheridan
11. Acid by Emma Pass
12. After the Fall by Robin Summers
13. In the After by Dimitria Lunetta 
14. End Dayz by Kellie Sheridan
15. The sky so Heavy by Claire Zorn
16. Chasing the Valley by Skye Melki Wegnar
17. Pawn by Aimee Carter 
18. Countdown by Michelle Rowan
19. Inhuman by Kat Falls

Related articles

• Book Discussion – Are We living in A Dystopian World? (aussiebookworm.wordpress.com)
• Why is Dystopian Sci-Fi so Popular? (authorallenwatson.wordpress.com)
• The Elite – Review (aussiebookworm.wordpress.com)
• Dystopia Reading Challenge: Wixon’s Day by Phil Williams (racheltsoumbakos.wordpress.com)
• Divergent – Veronica Roth (funwithbooksblog.com)