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White Rabbit Chronicles #2
Through the Zombie Glass
Zombies stalk the night.
Forget blood and brains. These monsters hunger for human souls.
Sadly, they've got mine...
Alice Bell has lost so much. Family. Friends. A home. She thought she had nothing else to give. She was wrong.
After a new zombie attack, strange things begin to happen to her. Mirrors come to life, and the whispers of the dead assault her ears. But the worst? A terrible darkness blooms inside her, urging her to do very wicked things.
She's never needed her team of zombie slayers more, but ultra bad-boy Cole Holland, the leader and her boyfriend, suddenly withdraws from her...from everyone. Now, with her best friend, Kat, at her side, Ali must kill the zombies, uncover Cole's secret and learn to fight the darkness.
But the clock is ticking...and if she fails at a single task, they're all doomed.
Forget blood and brains. These monsters hunger for human souls.
Sadly, they've got mine...
Alice Bell has lost so much. Family. Friends. A home. She thought she had nothing else to give. She was wrong.
After a new zombie attack, strange things begin to happen to her. Mirrors come to life, and the whispers of the dead assault her ears. But the worst? A terrible darkness blooms inside her, urging her to do very wicked things.
She's never needed her team of zombie slayers more, but ultra bad-boy Cole Holland, the leader and her boyfriend, suddenly withdraws from her...from everyone. Now, with her best friend, Kat, at her side, Ali must kill the zombies, uncover Cole's secret and learn to fight the darkness.
But the clock is ticking...and if she fails at a single task, they're all doomed.
480 pages, Hardcover
First published September 24, 2013
About the author
Gena Showalter
258 books27.5k followersGena Showalter is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of over seventy books, including the acclaimed Lords of the Underworld series, the Gods of War series, the White Rabbit Chronicles, and the Forest of Good and Evil series. She writes sizzling paranormal romance, heartwarming contemporary romance, and unputdownable young adult novels, and lives in Oklahoma City with her family and menagerie of dogs and cats.
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Want to read
October 21, 2012I can't wait until 2013. Need this sooner. Don't play with my feelings like that. Pleeease.
I'm so excited. Need more Cole.* Fangirl scream* And more Frosty. *Swoon*
I'm so excited. Need more Cole.* Fangirl scream* And more Frosty. *Swoon*
July 22, 2014
OCTOBER 2013?!
December 21, 2013
DNF @ 345
"Inspired by the childhood classic Alice in Wonderland"
I gotta admit: This book had me glued.
Too bad it was in a negative way.
- Who are you?
- Your doom.
Sure, there were some redeeming scenes in here that'd make me give it another star, however, this has got to be the most disappointing; fucked up "romance" slash "zombie" novel I've ever read in 2013 that will not make me do so. I don't know if I can write a review for this because my brain is a mess from reading this mess.
I didn't mind the sex jokes, I thought they were pretty funny.
I didn't mind SOME of the make out scenes, I thought they were pretty hot.
What I did mind were:
The characters
The confusing love triangle
The back and forth I-want-you-I-don't-want-you never ending cycle
The mediocre writing
The sad excuse of a mystery
The fact this is supposedly a reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland
The spirit sucking "zombies"
The characters
and, oh yeah,
The characters
I think I hate the Nana more than any other characters in here -- how could this woman be so daft as to leave two guys (Cole and Gavin) alone with her only granddaughter? Why would she let Gavin barge his way into their house making demands and literally saying he's staying the night? I'm not fucking kidding:
"I don't know about you, but I'm starving. I'd love a chance to cook you dinner to thank you for allowing me to sleep on your couch."
The grandmother didn't say anything about dinner, and she damn sure didn't flip shit when he invited himself over. Instead, this is what she said:
"It'll be nice to have a man around the house."
Then she GIGGLES, "GIGGLES LIKE A SCHOOLGIRL -- A DIRTY, DIRTY SCHOOLGIRL". Don't believe me? It's on page 279-280.
She lets Ali, her granddaughter, constantly bail on her, she doesn't talk to the granddaughter. She just sits and wait, always letting Ali choose her love interests over her.
And speaking of Ali
Ali puts Cole first instead of her Nana, she constantly gives Nana an excuse on why she can't have dinner with her, or talk with her, or hang with her, etc. "I'll make it up to you, I promise," she always says. After skimming the book once I hit page 345, she has yet to do so.
When the douchebag Cole tells Ali to ask questions about him since he agreed they didn't really know a thing about each other, guess the first question she asked...
"Who was your first time?"
Of all the fucking things, this dumb bitch asks who was his first time. You could have asked him what his morals were, what he sees himself doing in five years, what're his political and religious views, SOMETHING THAT'S FUCKING IMPORTANT.
On top of that, she straight up said "dying is truly living"?
Do you know the meaning of living? Do you know the meaning of dying? Once you're dead, you're fucking dead. Your flesh is rotting, you're turning into ash, you will be nothing. How is that living?
I just can't with her...
This book could have been a dark and mysterious read, but the angst, drama, and misunderstandings were too much for me. The "romance" and "love triangle" defused the whole point in this novel. SO many things are left unexplained. I think Gena became a little bit lazy and started whipping up some superfluous shit to make this story all the more "entertaining". I hated this a lot more than I did Alice in Zombieland. Cole really pissed me off; the characters were so bland . I gave the second book a chance and it failed; I'm not picking up the third.
"Inspired by the childhood classic Alice in Wonderland"
I gotta admit: This book had me glued.
Too bad it was in a negative way.
- Who are you?
- Your doom.
Sure, there were some redeeming scenes in here that'd make me give it another star, however, this has got to be the most disappointing; fucked up "romance" slash "zombie" novel I've ever read in 2013 that will not make me do so. I don't know if I can write a review for this because my brain is a mess from reading this mess.
I didn't mind the sex jokes, I thought they were pretty funny.
I didn't mind SOME of the make out scenes, I thought they were pretty hot.
What I did mind were:
The characters
The confusing love triangle
The back and forth I-want-you-I-don't-want-you never ending cycle
The mediocre writing
The sad excuse of a mystery
The fact this is supposedly a reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland
The spirit sucking "zombies"
The characters
and, oh yeah,
The characters
I think I hate the Nana more than any other characters in here -- how could this woman be so daft as to leave two guys (Cole and Gavin) alone with her only granddaughter? Why would she let Gavin barge his way into their house making demands and literally saying he's staying the night? I'm not fucking kidding:
"I don't know about you, but I'm starving. I'd love a chance to cook you dinner to thank you for allowing me to sleep on your couch."
The grandmother didn't say anything about dinner, and she damn sure didn't flip shit when he invited himself over. Instead, this is what she said:
"It'll be nice to have a man around the house."
Then she GIGGLES, "GIGGLES LIKE A SCHOOLGIRL -- A DIRTY, DIRTY SCHOOLGIRL". Don't believe me? It's on page 279-280.
She lets Ali, her granddaughter, constantly bail on her, she doesn't talk to the granddaughter. She just sits and wait, always letting Ali choose her love interests over her.
And speaking of Ali
Ali puts Cole first instead of her Nana, she constantly gives Nana an excuse on why she can't have dinner with her, or talk with her, or hang with her, etc. "I'll make it up to you, I promise," she always says. After skimming the book once I hit page 345, she has yet to do so.
When the douchebag Cole tells Ali to ask questions about him since he agreed they didn't really know a thing about each other, guess the first question she asked...
"Who was your first time?"
Of all the fucking things, this dumb bitch asks who was his first time. You could have asked him what his morals were, what he sees himself doing in five years, what're his political and religious views, SOMETHING THAT'S FUCKING IMPORTANT.
On top of that, she straight up said "dying is truly living"?
Do you know the meaning of living? Do you know the meaning of dying? Once you're dead, you're fucking dead. Your flesh is rotting, you're turning into ash, you will be nothing. How is that living?
I just can't with her...
This book could have been a dark and mysterious read, but the angst, drama, and misunderstandings were too much for me. The "romance" and "love triangle" defused the whole point in this novel. SO many things are left unexplained. I think Gena became a little bit lazy and started whipping up some superfluous shit to make this story all the more "entertaining". I hated this a lot more than I did Alice in Zombieland. Cole really pissed me off; the characters were so bland . I gave the second book a chance and it failed; I'm not picking up the third.
September 25, 2013
This was so damn awesome,i have no words.
Cole Holland i love you.
Cole Holland i love you.
March 19, 2015
"When Ali Bell gives you the finger, she’s telling you how many seconds you have to live.”
Blurb: Zombies stalk the night. Forget blood and brains. These monsters hunger for human souls. Sadly, they've got mine...
Alice Bell has lost so much. Family. Friends. A home. She thought she had nothing else to give. She was wrong.
After a new zombie attack, strange things begin to happen to her. Mirrors come to life, and the whispers of the dead assault her ears. But the worst? A terrible darkness blooms inside her, urging her to do very wicked things.
She's never needed her team of zombie slayers more, but ultra bad-boy Cole Holland, the leader and her boyfriend, suddenly withdraws from her...from everyone. Now, with her best friend Kat at her side, Ali must kill the zombies, uncover Cole's secret and learn to fight the darkness.
But the clock is ticking...and if she fails at a single task, they're all doomed.
Altight, I was expecting badassery and guess what? I got it!
I was glad to find and somehow more mature Alice who's doing everything she can to get her Nana a better place to live, a place of their own, where they can be happy but the zombie spirit inside her is getting stronger and she's starting to manipulate Ali's body and making her give in to in her hunger. So, as you can guess, she's becoming really dangerous to be with.
Everything was going fast and I was so sure Alice wasn't going to make it (yes, I know there are more books but I figured she was going to be in another realm??) and I'm so so happy when they figured out what could help.
I admit I didn't see that coming. I know I should have but everything was oh so doomed! I started to feel hopeless!
I hate it when Gena does that! Uh, I love her but I hate her.
She's got the power.
Anyhow, this second book I can say was better than the first one but, just as happened in AIZ, I didn't care that much about the boys. All the girls stood out again and they were AWESOME. I really loved how Mackenzie came along and how this camaraderie started. Girls with broken hearts can heal each other better than any man. Really, I loved they started to trust in each other and how protective they got. Sigh, beautiful.
My favorite parts in the book were all about them.
And I guess I have to thank Cole's absence and stupidity for that.
I knew things weren't going to be well between Alice and Cole (second book drama syndrome strikes again) but, man, Cole was a major idiot pretty much during the whole book once again. I just don't know why I don't like him that much when I know Alice and him are endgame but ugh, really, that man needed to grow a par and when he did, yeah, he was sweet and hot and funny but still.
Like ALL the guys acted like assholes in this book and I know they were worried and all of that but, for real, couldn't they be at least a bit nicer?
Except, you know, Gavin. He was really funny and I wasn't even mad when the visions kicked in. I'm glad he's staying and I liked how he's with the rest of the characters.
And I just really don't like Veronica, she can go straight to hell for all I care. I don't know what ace she has but she needs to be killed asap.
Also, Nanna. I swear, that sweet woman is the second best grandma ever (Mine's the first one lol). She was strong and cute and funny! Please, Gena, don't kill her.
How can you just not love:
A few seconds later, her reply came in. WTF an A! I blinked, sure I was misreading. But no, the letters didn’t change.
Me: Nana, do U know what WTF means??
Her: Of course, silly. It means “well, that’s fantastic.”
That woman was pure gold and fierceness.
So, beside the boys being idiots, the other thing I didn't like (there were only two. YAY) was the ending. Or pretty much the last chapter. It was kind of off, like Gena wasn't going to write it but she didn't want the book to end where it should have ended. A cliffhanger in that exact page and then the end! That's how it should've ended.
Other than that the book rocked the awesome socks.
Girls were badass together, Nanna was sweet and funny, Alice was hurting but still made of steel and full of badassery (and I adored how she didn't get back with Cole right away. The boy deserved suffering). I'm really excited for the next book and yes, it's not a trilogy, there's a fourth book!!!
Have I told you I love Alice? No?
Oh, and my favorite favorite part?
“There used to be a street named after Ali Bell, but it was changed because nobody crosses Ali Bell and lives. True story.” THAT WHOLE PART GOT ME LAUGHING AND CRYING AT THE SAME TIME.
*Adding these books to my fav list*
July 9, 2013
OMG can I give it a 10 I mean WOW!!!! review to come;)
My Re-write:
Ok here is it my review of this remarkable second book in the White Rabbit Chronicles. Showalter has once again written a captivating zombie story with so much more in it and made a second book just as remarkable as the first.
Thanks to Gena Showalter and Harlequin for sending this book my way to read and review! I was so excited when they sent me this one because I was still talking about the first one after reading it so many months again. Let me tell you what I think…..
Awesome, Heartbreaking, Breathtaking, Zombies, Boys, Excitement, Adventure and just UGHHHH are some of the many feeling I had in this one! There are some new characters you meet, some you will love some you will want to kick but the story never fails! Showalter writes this one PERFECT never failing to deliver aweosmeness!
I was glad this one started off where it ending in the first book. I was happy to see Ail and Cole together. But things never seem to go the way you think they will and people seem to keep getting in their way. I am a huge fan of Ail and Cole and in this one I was always on the edge of my seat worrying more and more.
New problems arise in this one and they are pretty intense. Zombies are changing, someone is spying on the group and everyone has secrets. Ali might be fighting for more then love in this one and I wont say anything more about it!
( yes I am bad and you wont want to know till you read anyway)
“You’re stubborn, too curious for your own good , and you’ve become a wild card, but yes , I love you.” ~Through the Zombie Glass ( Cole)
Through out the story you will get more of Kat and Frosty and they never fail in the breaking up department and I loved it. You will see more of Reeve and I love her more now and all she bring to the group she is one tuff chick like Kat, that’s for sure. And then there is Gavin, what can I say about this one. He is cute, cocky and makes the story so much more enjoyable!
“You up for this cupcake?, “Always, Jackhole.”~Through the Zombie Glass ( Gavin & Ali)
We see lots of zombies in this one too and LOADS of fighting and I enjoyed that tremendously. I love all the butt kicking skills everyone has and so wish I had them too! This really is my TOP zombie read of all time. I love that there is so much involved in the book and the story line always kept me hooked form page one and still has me talking about it days later. This book had me ready to throw it, yell at a few people in it and just hug.
I promise you will not want to miss this one and if you do I am not sure you can go on, I might have to send the troops out to hunt you down and touché you! If you are not TEAM HUNTER then you are no team at all and that’s not right so GO, RUN and get to the store and get this one now. If you have not read book one DO IT NOW this one is not out till Oct. 2013 so you have time so no excuses!!
My Re-write:
Ok here is it my review of this remarkable second book in the White Rabbit Chronicles. Showalter has once again written a captivating zombie story with so much more in it and made a second book just as remarkable as the first.
Thanks to Gena Showalter and Harlequin for sending this book my way to read and review! I was so excited when they sent me this one because I was still talking about the first one after reading it so many months again. Let me tell you what I think…..
Awesome, Heartbreaking, Breathtaking, Zombies, Boys, Excitement, Adventure and just UGHHHH are some of the many feeling I had in this one! There are some new characters you meet, some you will love some you will want to kick but the story never fails! Showalter writes this one PERFECT never failing to deliver aweosmeness!
I was glad this one started off where it ending in the first book. I was happy to see Ail and Cole together. But things never seem to go the way you think they will and people seem to keep getting in their way. I am a huge fan of Ail and Cole and in this one I was always on the edge of my seat worrying more and more.
New problems arise in this one and they are pretty intense. Zombies are changing, someone is spying on the group and everyone has secrets. Ali might be fighting for more then love in this one and I wont say anything more about it!
( yes I am bad and you wont want to know till you read anyway)
“You’re stubborn, too curious for your own good , and you’ve become a wild card, but yes , I love you.” ~Through the Zombie Glass ( Cole)
Through out the story you will get more of Kat and Frosty and they never fail in the breaking up department and I loved it. You will see more of Reeve and I love her more now and all she bring to the group she is one tuff chick like Kat, that’s for sure. And then there is Gavin, what can I say about this one. He is cute, cocky and makes the story so much more enjoyable!
“You up for this cupcake?, “Always, Jackhole.”~Through the Zombie Glass ( Gavin & Ali)
We see lots of zombies in this one too and LOADS of fighting and I enjoyed that tremendously. I love all the butt kicking skills everyone has and so wish I had them too! This really is my TOP zombie read of all time. I love that there is so much involved in the book and the story line always kept me hooked form page one and still has me talking about it days later. This book had me ready to throw it, yell at a few people in it and just hug.
I promise you will not want to miss this one and if you do I am not sure you can go on, I might have to send the troops out to hunt you down and touché you! If you are not TEAM HUNTER then you are no team at all and that’s not right so GO, RUN and get to the store and get this one now. If you have not read book one DO IT NOW this one is not out till Oct. 2013 so you have time so no excuses!!
July 10, 2018
This one was a little more...EVERYTHING compared to the first one. I loved it! There were parts where I wanted to kill a certain book boyfriend, but overall, I loved it, and still love him.
This second book was definitely more intense, it seemed. It was also more insane.
I really have no idea what to say about this book. Not really. Sad. Maybe later I can come up with a better review.
I do want to say thanks to Lauren and Sian! I've done buddy reads with both of them, but we've never read a book, all three of us together. This was so fun! It was really nice having them there for emotional support during a few portions haha.
come find me:
www.facebook.com/ReadsAsh
IG: ash.reads Twitter: @ReadsAsh
This second book was definitely more intense, it seemed. It was also more insane.
I really have no idea what to say about this book. Not really. Sad. Maybe later I can come up with a better review.
I do want to say thanks to Lauren and Sian! I've done buddy reads with both of them, but we've never read a book, all three of us together. This was so fun! It was really nice having them there for emotional support during a few portions haha.
come find me:
www.facebook.com/ReadsAsh
IG: ash.reads Twitter: @ReadsAsh
Want to read
August 4, 2013I love how the broken mirror looks like a pair of wings!!
Or, am I the only one who thinks that?
You know, I'm the obsessed one with wings after all.
Ooooh, & the all too white face looks like them!!
Hey girls! There's the lost sibling!
Or, am I the only one who thinks that?
You know, I'm the obsessed one with wings after all.
Ooooh, & the all too white face looks like them!!
Hey girls! There's the lost sibling!
July 27, 2013
I really, really love Cole!
September 25, 2013
I devoured this book in a day. As dorky as it sounds, I was pretty much a zombie while reading this book because I only got up to eat and I might have snapped and tried to bite whoever tried taking my iPad away from me. Yeah, that bad.
So...Through the Zombie Glass:
- Ali/Cole: One of my favorite paranormal/horror book OTPs. I kinda yelled at Cole through my iPad but hey, I give mad props to Ali for being strong throughout all the hot & cold treatment. Also, I would like to mention how Cole is the only book guy I know that doesn't have some "amazing" blue or green eye thing going on. So not only do I greatly admire Cole for his physical appearance, I really really admire him for his love for Alice and duty towards his teammates.
-Kat/Frosty, Reeve/Bronx: Finally and yay!
-Nana: I wish my own mother was like Nana because Nana can actually text and use funny sayings she thinks is "in."
-Gavin/Veronica: I really like Gavin, but still don't like Veronica. Maybe it's because of the last thing she said...
-The rest of the story: My reactions went in the order of WHOA, NOOOOO, NOOOOO, GO, OH, OH NO, GO?, NO NO NO, GO!, OH NO... And after the book ended, I was once again in a fit of emotions.
So...Through the Zombie Glass:
- Ali/Cole: One of my favorite paranormal/horror book OTPs. I kinda yelled at Cole through my iPad but hey, I give mad props to Ali for being strong throughout all the hot & cold treatment. Also, I would like to mention how Cole is the only book guy I know that doesn't have some "amazing" blue or green eye thing going on. So not only do I greatly admire Cole for his physical appearance, I really really admire him for his love for Alice and duty towards his teammates.
-Kat/Frosty, Reeve/Bronx: Finally and yay!
-Nana: I wish my own mother was like Nana because Nana can actually text and use funny sayings she thinks is "in."
-Gavin/Veronica: I really like Gavin, but still don't like Veronica. Maybe it's because of the last thing she said...
-The rest of the story: My reactions went in the order of WHOA, NOOOOO, NOOOOO, GO, OH, OH NO, GO?, NO NO NO, GO!, OH NO... And after the book ended, I was once again in a fit of emotions.
December 7, 2023
Love this whole series even if it gets super cheesy sometimes (it does).
September 22, 2018
✨3.5 stars✨
Rereads are so bloody interesting because I have so many different thoughts and opinions about this book than I did when I first read it. (I mean, it was like 5 years ago so I’d hope to have changed at least a little bit since then, but still.) I spent a lot of this book getting frustrated at characters and their actions, but on the whole it was a good frustration. Like an ‘ughhhh you guys are awful, I love you’ type of frustration rather than an ‘ughhh I want you all to die and then this book to burn’ type of frustration.
As much as I do love them, Cole and Ali got so annoying. I understand, I really do- the visions are confusing and waahhh the future- but come on, get it together guys, holy hell. Every single time they got together and then dropped it again (and they did this a looooot of times) I felt like screeching at them to just decide what the hell they were going to do. Either be together or don’t, I absolutely cannot stand the ‘we must be apart even though we don’t want to be, it���s safer for both of us’ storyline that so many authors seem to thrust into second books in series’. I’m so over it. Aside from their ridiculous on-again-off-again tendencies, I do still adore them. I have such a soft spot in my heart for this series and I don’t think I could ever truly hate it, no matter how differently I might view aspects of it now.
I've always adored Kat, and I still do. She’s magnificent and hilarious, and I’m so down for that amount of self confidence and adoration for herself, she’s truly wonderful. The slayers really start holding their own in this book- their personalities are delved into and explored more, and they are all fleshed out in a lot more detail than in the first book. Their team/family dynamic is still one of my favourite elements of this series, I just have such a thing for that type of group relationship in books, it’s so fun to read about. (I just adore it all, especially Mackenzie and Trina having Ali’s back- ugh I love them.)
I’d essentially entirely forgotten the plot for this book when I started the reread, all I really remembered was that Zombie Ali comes into play and everything steps up its game. I’ve gotta say, it really held its own. Like I said, this isn’t exactly the most critical review, because I still hold a lot of bias and love for this series from when I first loved it and adored it. Despite this, I do still see the huge amount of ‘wtf’ moments that take place, and the problematic side of a lot of the boys’ actions (why are controlling men always being played off as merely ‘protective and caring’??). On the whole though, this is a hugely nostalgic reread for me, and I’m really glad to find that I do still have a place carved out in my heart for this series to live. I know a lot of people hate the fact the zombies aren’t technically what we might consider to be zombies, but to be quite honest I really love the spirit side of things. I’ve never read anything quite like it, even since I first read it when it came out, and again it’s just really entertaining to read. The nostalgia points keep on coming, it just feels so special to be able to remember reading it for the first time however many years ago and still find it really fun now. True story. (That damn phrase has so quickly rejoined my vocabulary, Kat what have you done to me??!!)
Rereads are so bloody interesting because I have so many different thoughts and opinions about this book than I did when I first read it. (I mean, it was like 5 years ago so I’d hope to have changed at least a little bit since then, but still.) I spent a lot of this book getting frustrated at characters and their actions, but on the whole it was a good frustration. Like an ‘ughhhh you guys are awful, I love you’ type of frustration rather than an ‘ughhh I want you all to die and then this book to burn’ type of frustration.
As much as I do love them, Cole and Ali got so annoying. I understand, I really do- the visions are confusing and waahhh the future- but come on, get it together guys, holy hell. Every single time they got together and then dropped it again (and they did this a looooot of times) I felt like screeching at them to just decide what the hell they were going to do. Either be together or don’t, I absolutely cannot stand the ‘we must be apart even though we don’t want to be, it���s safer for both of us’ storyline that so many authors seem to thrust into second books in series’. I’m so over it. Aside from their ridiculous on-again-off-again tendencies, I do still adore them. I have such a soft spot in my heart for this series and I don’t think I could ever truly hate it, no matter how differently I might view aspects of it now.
I've always adored Kat, and I still do. She’s magnificent and hilarious, and I’m so down for that amount of self confidence and adoration for herself, she’s truly wonderful. The slayers really start holding their own in this book- their personalities are delved into and explored more, and they are all fleshed out in a lot more detail than in the first book. Their team/family dynamic is still one of my favourite elements of this series, I just have such a thing for that type of group relationship in books, it’s so fun to read about. (I just adore it all, especially Mackenzie and Trina having Ali’s back- ugh I love them.)
I’d essentially entirely forgotten the plot for this book when I started the reread, all I really remembered was that Zombie Ali comes into play and everything steps up its game. I’ve gotta say, it really held its own. Like I said, this isn’t exactly the most critical review, because I still hold a lot of bias and love for this series from when I first loved it and adored it. Despite this, I do still see the huge amount of ‘wtf’ moments that take place, and the problematic side of a lot of the boys’ actions (why are controlling men always being played off as merely ‘protective and caring’??). On the whole though, this is a hugely nostalgic reread for me, and I’m really glad to find that I do still have a place carved out in my heart for this series to live. I know a lot of people hate the fact the zombies aren’t technically what we might consider to be zombies, but to be quite honest I really love the spirit side of things. I’ve never read anything quite like it, even since I first read it when it came out, and again it’s just really entertaining to read. The nostalgia points keep on coming, it just feels so special to be able to remember reading it for the first time however many years ago and still find it really fun now. True story. (That damn phrase has so quickly rejoined my vocabulary, Kat what have you done to me??!!)
Want to read
October 2, 2012Ah, of course. Through the looking glass < through the zombie glass. Who would've guessed? :)
Edit 27/4: AHHHHHHHHH!!! It has a cover! And it is beautiful!
Just picked up my copy; so excited to start it!!
Edit 27/4: AHHHHHHHHH!!! It has a cover! And it is beautiful!
Just picked up my copy; so excited to start it!!
Want to read
March 4, 2013AAAH Lookie!
Read
September 16, 2013*happy sigh*
August 20, 2018
I love all things Alice in Wonderland so when I found this series I was excited. Gena is an amazing writer and her books are great and keep you hooked that you don't want to put down But the romance had to be the most annoying thing about this book. While we had McKenzie hating Ali and vying for Cole's attentions in the first book, we now have a repeat of that whole scenario, just with a different girl. And Cole dumps Ali for what I felt was the most ridiculous reason ever. It was angsty, which I usually have no complaints about, but this was angsty in the most annoying of ways. I actually found myself hoping Ali would forget all about Cole and go after Gavin. but hopefully the next book won't have to have so much of this because i love the action
October 13, 2020
I try to express only my most honest opinion in a spoiler-free way. Unfortunately, there is still always a risk of slight spoilers despite my best efforts. If you feel something in my review is a spoiler please let me know. Thank you.
Ali gets bit by Justin after he is bit by a zombie and now she has zombie-like urges that the antidote won't cure, and it's getting worse. If that isn't bad enough, Cole is having a relationship crisis that starts because Ali starts having visions with Gavin, one out of two of the new slayers. And some of these visions are pretty steamy. Ali is dealing with jealousy over the other slayer Veronica, who it turns out, is also Cole's ex-girlfriend.
Like:
~Steamy romance
~Lots of action
~Badass heroine
~Alice in Wonderland retelling
~Focus on family and friend relationships as well as the romantic
Dislikes:
~A little angsty this time
~Most of Ali's friends suck
I fell in love with this series in the first book. I think I might like this one even more. The relationships between all the characters felt more in-depth this time. I like the added bit of a love triangle in there. There was lots of action as usual, and Ali is still majorly badass. I'm annoyed with all of Ali's friends except Kat and Reeve. I can't tell to much do to spoilers, but when things get tough. Kat is the only one to stick by her side, and the only reason Reeve doesn't is that she doesn't know what's going on because her dad is kind of a moron who makes dumb decisions. Anyway, rant over. Can't wait to see how the story continues to progress.
Ali gets bit by Justin after he is bit by a zombie and now she has zombie-like urges that the antidote won't cure, and it's getting worse. If that isn't bad enough, Cole is having a relationship crisis that starts because Ali starts having visions with Gavin, one out of two of the new slayers. And some of these visions are pretty steamy. Ali is dealing with jealousy over the other slayer Veronica, who it turns out, is also Cole's ex-girlfriend.
Like:
~Steamy romance
~Lots of action
~Badass heroine
~Alice in Wonderland retelling
~Focus on family and friend relationships as well as the romantic
Dislikes:
~A little angsty this time
~Most of Ali's friends suck
I fell in love with this series in the first book. I think I might like this one even more. The relationships between all the characters felt more in-depth this time. I like the added bit of a love triangle in there. There was lots of action as usual, and Ali is still majorly badass. I'm annoyed with all of Ali's friends except Kat and Reeve. I can't tell to much do to spoilers, but when things get tough. Kat is the only one to stick by her side, and the only reason Reeve doesn't is that she doesn't know what's going on because her dad is kind of a moron who makes dumb decisions. Anyway, rant over. Can't wait to see how the story continues to progress.
December 28, 2013
Same book as the first one, only with even more teen drama and less substance to the zombie mythology, and with new names and faces for basically the same cardboard villains. The fight scenes were downright boring and always the same - fight, ooh it's working, get bitten, uh oh, someone saves the day. I guess the author couldn't be arsed, since there was making out to write and teenage romance to focus on.
The whole zombie/spirit form thing was almost chucked, with bushes rustling and twigs snapping when they shouldn't have, and the "darkness" within Ali (which was presented as the deathly threat throughout the book) was pretty much a red herring - instead of a big confrontation and grand finale, it fizzled out without any big impact, and things were resolved with a hurried handwave so that everyone could get back to snogging. The slayers did get a bit of helpful information, true, but they could have gained that knowledge elsewhere, and it seemed like a sad attempt to justify the inclusion of the "darkness" in the first place.
In the end there was no meaning to the book's alleged plot, and it became even more apparent than in the first book that there is no substance to the zombie plotline and that it only serves as a halfway original selling point for more plastic YA romance. The connection to Alice in Wonderland stays superficial, by the way; there are more elements added to underline the "Through the Looking Glass" reference, but it's as meaningless as the "darkness" - it's just a gimmick.
Annnd the romance. It feels so empty! I got bored of the main couple's back and forth thing very early on, and though I liked Cole in the first book in a "yah I know it's not real"-way, his exaggerated bad boy image got on my nerves after a while. Yes, I get it, he's tough and ripped and sexy and controlling and only Ali can tame him! All girls want him! Grown men cower! But he's still 17, and in my experience, 17 year olds tend to be gangly and pimply instead of dreamy stripper boys. Maybe I'm just too old for this. Anyway, his character jumped the shark when he got And violet eyes, my butt.
Ali's best friends were also reduced to side romances with their respective buff-sexy-tough bad boys, and at times it felt like a musical or something, with the couples on stage clinging to each other on raised platforms, the boys scowling sexily and the girls smiling beatifically. Everyone else was just padding, the whole cast consists of extras, jealousy fodder, or people who conveniently adapt their character to the current state of things in Ali and Cole's relationship. What ever happened to Nana's sense of propriety? Why is Cole's dad meekly taking orders from his son at one point, then utilized to block their smexy times the next by suddenly being a dad with authority? Is Mr Ankh anything else but a provider of food, housing, and money on one hand, an obstacle to the Bronx/Reeve romance on the other?
Oh well. My expectations weren't high, and I did enjoy the book a little, but I also got tired of the emptiness of it all. Maybe I'm just not cut out for this type of YA. I read 3/4 of it in one day, then finished the rest of it almost 3 weeks later; I started reading a Juliet Marillier novel in the meantime and the difference was just too striking. I'll probably read the third zombieland book, but just to see how it ends.
The whole zombie/spirit form thing was almost chucked, with bushes rustling and twigs snapping when they shouldn't have, and the "darkness" within Ali (which was presented as the deathly threat throughout the book) was pretty much a red herring - instead of a big confrontation and grand finale, it fizzled out without any big impact, and things were resolved with a hurried handwave so that everyone could get back to snogging. The slayers did get a bit of helpful information, true, but they could have gained that knowledge elsewhere, and it seemed like a sad attempt to justify the inclusion of the "darkness" in the first place.
In the end there was no meaning to the book's alleged plot, and it became even more apparent than in the first book that there is no substance to the zombie plotline and that it only serves as a halfway original selling point for more plastic YA romance. The connection to Alice in Wonderland stays superficial, by the way; there are more elements added to underline the "Through the Looking Glass" reference, but it's as meaningless as the "darkness" - it's just a gimmick.
Annnd the romance. It feels so empty! I got bored of the main couple's back and forth thing very early on, and though I liked Cole in the first book in a "yah I know it's not real"-way, his exaggerated bad boy image got on my nerves after a while. Yes, I get it, he's tough and ripped and sexy and controlling and only Ali can tame him! All girls want him! Grown men cower! But he's still 17, and in my experience, 17 year olds tend to be gangly and pimply instead of dreamy stripper boys. Maybe I'm just too old for this. Anyway, his character jumped the shark when he got And violet eyes, my butt.
Ali's best friends were also reduced to side romances with their respective buff-sexy-tough bad boys, and at times it felt like a musical or something, with the couples on stage clinging to each other on raised platforms, the boys scowling sexily and the girls smiling beatifically. Everyone else was just padding, the whole cast consists of extras, jealousy fodder, or people who conveniently adapt their character to the current state of things in Ali and Cole's relationship. What ever happened to Nana's sense of propriety? Why is Cole's dad meekly taking orders from his son at one point, then utilized to block their smexy times the next by suddenly being a dad with authority? Is Mr Ankh anything else but a provider of food, housing, and money on one hand, an obstacle to the Bronx/Reeve romance on the other?
Oh well. My expectations weren't high, and I did enjoy the book a little, but I also got tired of the emptiness of it all. Maybe I'm just not cut out for this type of YA. I read 3/4 of it in one day, then finished the rest of it almost 3 weeks later; I started reading a Juliet Marillier novel in the meantime and the difference was just too striking. I'll probably read the third zombieland book, but just to see how it ends.
May 17, 2016
Another 5 stars for Gena Showalter !! wow so far this woman can do no wrong by me. I have fallen head over heels for this series. I must say it really has nothing to do with Alice in Wonderland in the aspect you might think ,but it relates to it in certain ways.
We have Miss Alice Bell here fighting herself so to say because of a mishap that happens to her with a zombie biting into her.
She starts going through these changes where she sees her reflection in the mirror has her but with black smudges under her eyes and black spots all over her body freaky.
Also her fire is not white anymore its red so these changes are happening and she has no clue why, until Z.A (zombie Alice) that within her and is a major zombie bitch .
She even tries to eat one of her zombie slayer friends which is big no no. this was major drama and above that cole has to starts going all crazy and dissing her.
We still have adorable emma , alice sister trying to help her out with the zombies and so she always makes a cloud bunny appear. This lets Alice know that zombies will be out in the night.
Of course we have the handsome and sexy but a bit confused Cole.
You see he use to share visions with ali, and really hot and sexy ones
but now Ali is sharing visions with a new member from the slayer group. This does not go well with Cole , he is still the sexy and loving possessive as hell yummy alpha with ali but he is getting to jealous and is close to murdering Gavin which shares visions with Ali.totally love him. he had me like......
the evil hazmats are doing a lot of damage also and its just super evil of them ugh hate them!!
We have all this drama going on in this book that I just had to finish it no breaks no coffee just plain reading until done. Loved it and totally recommend it .
Overalls 5 smexy hottie stars for mr.hottie Cole!!!
We have Miss Alice Bell here fighting herself so to say because of a mishap that happens to her with a zombie biting into her.
She starts going through these changes where she sees her reflection in the mirror has her but with black smudges under her eyes and black spots all over her body freaky.
Also her fire is not white anymore its red so these changes are happening and she has no clue why, until Z.A (zombie Alice) that within her and is a major zombie bitch .
She even tries to eat one of her zombie slayer friends which is big no no. this was major drama and above that cole has to starts going all crazy and dissing her.
We still have adorable emma , alice sister trying to help her out with the zombies and so she always makes a cloud bunny appear. This lets Alice know that zombies will be out in the night.
Of course we have the handsome and sexy but a bit confused Cole.
You see he use to share visions with ali, and really hot and sexy ones
but now Ali is sharing visions with a new member from the slayer group. This does not go well with Cole , he is still the sexy and loving possessive as hell yummy alpha with ali but he is getting to jealous and is close to murdering Gavin which shares visions with Ali.totally love him. he had me like......
the evil hazmats are doing a lot of damage also and its just super evil of them ugh hate them!!
We have all this drama going on in this book that I just had to finish it no breaks no coffee just plain reading until done. Loved it and totally recommend it .
Overalls 5 smexy hottie stars for mr.hottie Cole!!!
October 23, 2015
Okay. I'm going to start off by commenting on how GORGEOUS the cover of this book is. The mirror, the wings, the colors. UGH. I'm a sucker for a pretty cover, and this is definitely a pretty cover. I'm sort of a little in love with it. BUT, that aside, here's my review:
"From the moment our eyes first met, I've been drawn to you. Not just because you're the hottest guy I've ever met, but also because you have a core of courage and honor and when I'm with you, I feel safe and protected, and even cherished. I might be yours, but you are certainly mine, and I'm never letting you go."
I'm not crying, you're crying.
I adored this book. Every moment of it. Okay... so maybe not every moment of it, but I certainly did enjoy the majority of it and it was an absolutely brilliant second installment of the series.
The characters are absolutely fantastic and the world Showalter created is so beyond in depth and incredible.
I already want to go back and read this story again. Ali is one of the most amazing, bad-ass lead characters of any book I've ever read. She's stubborn and strong-willed, she's a fighter and she's extremely protective and loyal to the people she loves. She feels so much and is just an all-around awesome character.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys paranormal books, interesting zombie novels, or anything involving the spirit realm. This book, as well as the first, were both absolutely perfect.
"From the moment our eyes first met, I've been drawn to you. Not just because you're the hottest guy I've ever met, but also because you have a core of courage and honor and when I'm with you, I feel safe and protected, and even cherished. I might be yours, but you are certainly mine, and I'm never letting you go."
I'm not crying, you're crying.
I adored this book. Every moment of it. Okay... so maybe not every moment of it, but I certainly did enjoy the majority of it and it was an absolutely brilliant second installment of the series.
The characters are absolutely fantastic and the world Showalter created is so beyond in depth and incredible.
I already want to go back and read this story again. Ali is one of the most amazing, bad-ass lead characters of any book I've ever read. She's stubborn and strong-willed, she's a fighter and she's extremely protective and loyal to the people she loves. She feels so much and is just an all-around awesome character.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys paranormal books, interesting zombie novels, or anything involving the spirit realm. This book, as well as the first, were both absolutely perfect.
Read
July 27, 2015A lot of new twists happening in this book. I love the fire power ability to kill zombies. I think Nana is my favorite character. She's so feisty!
September 17, 2018
I truly picked this series up on a whim, not really expecting too much but intrigued by the synopsis and the fact that it sounded somewhat original and then...I promptly forgot about it. This happens a lot. I buy books like crazy and then they stack up and get lost in the pile.
After reading another of her series (through ARCs) I fell in love with Showalters writing and knew I needed to read more from her, hence me finally picking this series up.
I can't believe it took me so long to do it. I have adored all that I've read so far and have especially adored the characters. I will be so very sad when it is all over and done with.
After reading another of her series (through ARCs) I fell in love with Showalters writing and knew I needed to read more from her, hence me finally picking this series up.
I can't believe it took me so long to do it. I have adored all that I've read so far and have especially adored the characters. I will be so very sad when it is all over and done with.
October 8, 2015
Sometimes it can be a nerve racking experience to pick up the second book in a series, I'm sure we've all been in the situation where the sequel to a much loved first book ends up being a terrible disappointment and leaves us wondering whether it's even worth continuing with the rest of the series. Well I know I have anyway so I was slightly worried when it came to Alice Through the Looking Glass, what if it didn't live up to my expectations? Thankfully my fears were unfounded and within a couple of pages I was completely hooked. This story had everything I loved about the first book and then some and I loved every minute of it.
I don't want to talk too much about the plot but Alice Through the Looking Glass was darker and grittier than the first book, Ali is facing a far more dangerous enemy than she has before and it's one that she doesn't have much hope of defeating. The life that she has worked so hard to rebuild is starting to fall down around her ears and it's going to take every bit of courage and determination she has if she wants to hold things together. I love how strong Ali is, she has been through so much but she never gives up hope and she never stops trying to make things better for her friends and the people she cares about. I also love the great friendship between her, Kat and Reeve. The three girls are always there for each other and it's a refreshing change to have strong female friendships in a YA novel. It's actually quite sad that I feel the need to mention that fact but I'm so sick of reading stories where females treat each other as enemies even when they're supposed to be "best friends". I even found myself liking Mackenzie and Trina in this story and that's definitely not something I saw coming.
I have been a huge fan of Cole since the beginning but I have to admit I was more than a little irritated by his attitude for the majority of this book. The visions he has always shared with Ali have dried up and now she's experiencing something similar with Gavin, a new hunter on the scene. Cole is jealous and upset which was understandable but he uses the visions as an excuse to treat Ali really badly and I was incredibly angry with him because of that. I liked the way Ali called him out on his behaviour and I'm glad he eventually apologised and started to try and make up for his bad behaviour but I think I would have liked to see Ali make him suffer a little more before she forgave him. To be honest, as much as I still like him I'm now a little wary of him and I really hope he proves himself in the next book. They do have such great chemistry that it would be a shame for their relationship to be ruined. I was worried at one point that Gena Showalter had introduced a love triangle to the story but I'm pretty pleased with the way things turned out in the end and I'm glad it wasn't dragged out for several books.
Although the romance may have been a little lacking in this instalment the plot was on top form and there was plenty of action to keep me turning the pages. There is also some fantastic character development and I loved catching up with the hunters and seeing how they're all getting on now. There were some lovely scenes between Ali and her grandmother and some very sweet moments with her little sister too. We also get to meet some great new characters and it looks like things are about to get really interesting in the next book. I'm definitely excited to continue reading the series and I'm glad I already have the next two books so I don't have to wait to find out what happens next.
I don't want to talk too much about the plot but Alice Through the Looking Glass was darker and grittier than the first book, Ali is facing a far more dangerous enemy than she has before and it's one that she doesn't have much hope of defeating. The life that she has worked so hard to rebuild is starting to fall down around her ears and it's going to take every bit of courage and determination she has if she wants to hold things together. I love how strong Ali is, she has been through so much but she never gives up hope and she never stops trying to make things better for her friends and the people she cares about. I also love the great friendship between her, Kat and Reeve. The three girls are always there for each other and it's a refreshing change to have strong female friendships in a YA novel. It's actually quite sad that I feel the need to mention that fact but I'm so sick of reading stories where females treat each other as enemies even when they're supposed to be "best friends". I even found myself liking Mackenzie and Trina in this story and that's definitely not something I saw coming.
I have been a huge fan of Cole since the beginning but I have to admit I was more than a little irritated by his attitude for the majority of this book. The visions he has always shared with Ali have dried up and now she's experiencing something similar with Gavin, a new hunter on the scene. Cole is jealous and upset which was understandable but he uses the visions as an excuse to treat Ali really badly and I was incredibly angry with him because of that. I liked the way Ali called him out on his behaviour and I'm glad he eventually apologised and started to try and make up for his bad behaviour but I think I would have liked to see Ali make him suffer a little more before she forgave him. To be honest, as much as I still like him I'm now a little wary of him and I really hope he proves himself in the next book. They do have such great chemistry that it would be a shame for their relationship to be ruined. I was worried at one point that Gena Showalter had introduced a love triangle to the story but I'm pretty pleased with the way things turned out in the end and I'm glad it wasn't dragged out for several books.
Although the romance may have been a little lacking in this instalment the plot was on top form and there was plenty of action to keep me turning the pages. There is also some fantastic character development and I loved catching up with the hunters and seeing how they're all getting on now. There were some lovely scenes between Ali and her grandmother and some very sweet moments with her little sister too. We also get to meet some great new characters and it looks like things are about to get really interesting in the next book. I'm definitely excited to continue reading the series and I'm glad I already have the next two books so I don't have to wait to find out what happens next.
August 17, 2015
Love Ali and Cole.
January 6, 2015
L'ho divorato! Questa serie della Showalter è la mia preferita!
Cole all'inizio è da prendere a pugni...ma poi si fa perdonare ;)
Voglio leggere il 3° libro al più presto!!!
Cole all'inizio è da prendere a pugni...ma poi si fa perdonare ;)
Voglio leggere il 3° libro al più presto!!!
April 28, 2015
honger.... meer.... lezen!!!
arghhhhh en nu weer wachten op deel 3?!?!
arghhhhh en nu weer wachten op deel 3?!?!
February 6, 2017
2.4 stars- barely based on lowlife characters and TSTL actions
Zombies hunters vs zombies and evil scientist.
This book sucked like a black hole
I loved the idea, the spirt hunting, the different abilities awakening and the possibilities. The action was there, I was on the edge of my seat more than once. But why bring in abuse, and ridiculous actions into the story. I was rolling my eyes at the jealousy, the he-slut moves and the stupid thinking of this girl.
Ali, stupid, hormonal virgin Ali. I cut bits of stars off for each completely stupid move Ali made. Ali, the special little snowflake acted like a brat. Taking matters into her own hands, after being warned it was a bad bad thing. She would run off into the fire and placed everyone in serious danger. I was generous and gave her a few free chips because of her age, she suffers from high school level hormonal drama.
Cole, the macho he slut was such a complete jerk. I'd beat him bloody with anything in reach if he treated my daughter that way or one of her friends. His character was repulsive and I worry that some young mind might find his actions ok. I thinking about cutting another star off right now. I was miffed that the author made his turdness acceptable to the group of slayers/friends. I would have liked to see a stronger character backlash, not the "oh he loves me so I'll forget everything" bit. He used girls, emotionally and physically and brushed it off like it was nothing, and this is the hero ? She looked into his eyes and saw longing making all he did disappear. REPULSIVE ! As I'm recapping my experience I'm getting angrier. I'm not sure I want to finish the series.
I do not find abusive characters entertaining, and even less so to a young character who might connect with a reader. I like the story, despise the direction of the characters. Ali is doormat that asked for more, her great love is a dirty pair of boots.
Zombies hunters vs zombies and evil scientist.
This book sucked like a black hole
I loved the idea, the spirt hunting, the different abilities awakening and the possibilities. The action was there, I was on the edge of my seat more than once. But why bring in abuse, and ridiculous actions into the story. I was rolling my eyes at the jealousy, the he-slut moves and the stupid thinking of this girl.
Ali, stupid, hormonal virgin Ali. I cut bits of stars off for each completely stupid move Ali made. Ali, the special little snowflake acted like a brat. Taking matters into her own hands, after being warned it was a bad bad thing. She would run off into the fire and placed everyone in serious danger. I was generous and gave her a few free chips because of her age, she suffers from high school level hormonal drama.
Cole, the macho he slut was such a complete jerk. I'd beat him bloody with anything in reach if he treated my daughter that way or one of her friends. His character was repulsive and I worry that some young mind might find his actions ok. I thinking about cutting another star off right now. I was miffed that the author made his turdness acceptable to the group of slayers/friends. I would have liked to see a stronger character backlash, not the "oh he loves me so I'll forget everything" bit. He used girls, emotionally and physically and brushed it off like it was nothing, and this is the hero ? She looked into his eyes and saw longing making all he did disappear. REPULSIVE ! As I'm recapping my experience I'm getting angrier. I'm not sure I want to finish the series.
I do not find abusive characters entertaining, and even less so to a young character who might connect with a reader. I like the story, despise the direction of the characters. Ali is doormat that asked for more, her great love is a dirty pair of boots.
April 26, 2016
Jep 5 sterren. Van te voren had ik nooooit kunnen bedenken dat ik deze boeken leuk zou vinden, laat staan GEWELDIG!
Maar ja het is echt zo.. ook het tweede deel van deze serie vond ik super.
Alleen geen succes dat ik dit boek tegelijk met 3 andere boeken aan het lezen was. Voor deel 3 hou ik me voor om echt alleen dat boek te lezen en tussendoor niets anders <3
Ben heel erg benieuwd naar het derde en laatste deel!
Maar ja het is echt zo.. ook het tweede deel van deze serie vond ik super.
Alleen geen succes dat ik dit boek tegelijk met 3 andere boeken aan het lezen was. Voor deel 3 hou ik me voor om echt alleen dat boek te lezen en tussendoor niets anders <3
Ben heel erg benieuwd naar het derde en laatste deel!
January 25, 2018
This started out better than I expected - it's not just a tired re-tread of book 1. I've got some issues with the Cole/Ali thing, because Cole is being an asshole, Ali is upset, his friends say "it's not what you think" but what else IS she to think since Cole can't be bothered to tell her anything? I can stomach it though, because Ali is not really putting UP with Cole - at one point he says "you don't understand," and she hits him and says "of course I don't understand, you moron! you won't explain it to me!"
I'm pleased that there is more about this story that is reminiscent of Through the Looking Glass than there had been in the first book ... there's a mirror, there's a ticking clock, and we still have the white rabbit cloud.
*
Okay. so. I finished this. I don't know - it was better than I expected, and yet I didn't really like it. The on-again off-again fight-again relationships between Cole and Ali, Frosty and Kat, Cole and Veronica, Bronx and Reeve ... it was all just TOO MUCH. Too much stupid relationships. And then towards the end everyone is all paired off tidily ... I kind of retched a little there.
And the Nana character is so two-dimensional. She is there just to be an adult in the Ali's life, she doesn't really have a personality or any personal motivations, she just fusses over Ali and buys her things and Ali tells her to save their money and she fusses over Ali and buys her things and Ali tells her to save their money and she fusses over Ali ... yeah. That.
In fact, ALL of the adult characters are mere plot-devices. They are EVIL or FUSSY or LOVING ... but they don't really seem to be people. They just do thatonethingtheydo to move the plot along. Actually, most of the teenage characters could be described this way, too.
The ridiculously evil Anima Industries is just too ... too. I mean, come on. If they are THAT evil, there's no escape.
And the mystery - come ON. The whole "there's a spy among us!" thing was inane. It was entirely mystifying to me that the characters did not CATCH A CLUE. I was really kind of hoping that there would be some sort of big TWIST at the end. But no. No twist.
And I was completely fed up with Ali blaming herself for everything. And Cole blaming himself for everything. In fact, just about everyone in the book blamed themselves for things they had little to no control over. It would seem that being a "Slayer" comes with being a codependent MORON. The only character who was at all interesting or balanced was Gavin.
And I really really really REALLY hated the relationship that developed between Cole and Ali. I REALLY hated it. That shit is DYSfunctional, and I abhor the thought of teen fangirls loving on it and thinking it's romantic amazeballs or whatever it is they think. (I'm old. Hah! can you tell?) I just, I want to state a few things here that seem like they should be obvious, but apparently are not:
*dying is not living
*pain is not love
*confusion is not clarity
*an asshole is not romantic
*secrecy does not inspire trust
Hah! I started out giving this two stars, but I got myself so worked up in the review, I realized it needed to be just one star.
I don't really know how this book went so wrong. This is a cool idea, and a good story, and it just ... sucked. This is only the second book I've read by Ms Showalter, so I don't know if this is normal for her or not. I'll keep going to #3 just to see what happens in the series.
ETA (4 years later) : Hahahaha! Oh who am I kidding!?! I'm NEVER reading another book in this series! I doubt I'll ever read any other book by Showalter. Too many books, too little time, no time to waste on bad books like this.
I'm pleased that there is more about this story that is reminiscent of Through the Looking Glass than there had been in the first book ... there's a mirror, there's a ticking clock, and we still have the white rabbit cloud.
*
Okay. so. I finished this. I don't know - it was better than I expected, and yet I didn't really like it. The on-again off-again fight-again relationships between Cole and Ali, Frosty and Kat, Cole and Veronica, Bronx and Reeve ... it was all just TOO MUCH. Too much stupid relationships. And then towards the end everyone is all paired off tidily ... I kind of retched a little there.
And the Nana character is so two-dimensional. She is there just to be an adult in the Ali's life, she doesn't really have a personality or any personal motivations, she just fusses over Ali and buys her things and Ali tells her to save their money and she fusses over Ali and buys her things and Ali tells her to save their money and she fusses over Ali ... yeah. That.
In fact, ALL of the adult characters are mere plot-devices. They are EVIL or FUSSY or LOVING ... but they don't really seem to be people. They just do thatonethingtheydo to move the plot along. Actually, most of the teenage characters could be described this way, too.
The ridiculously evil Anima Industries is just too ... too. I mean, come on. If they are THAT evil, there's no escape.
And the mystery - come ON. The whole "there's a spy among us!" thing was inane. It was entirely mystifying to me that the characters did not CATCH A CLUE. I was really kind of hoping that there would be some sort of big TWIST at the end. But no. No twist.
And I was completely fed up with Ali blaming herself for everything. And Cole blaming himself for everything. In fact, just about everyone in the book blamed themselves for things they had little to no control over. It would seem that being a "Slayer" comes with being a codependent MORON. The only character who was at all interesting or balanced was Gavin.
And I really really really REALLY hated the relationship that developed between Cole and Ali. I REALLY hated it. That shit is DYSfunctional, and I abhor the thought of teen fangirls loving on it and thinking it's romantic amazeballs or whatever it is they think. (I'm old. Hah! can you tell?) I just, I want to state a few things here that seem like they should be obvious, but apparently are not:
*dying is not living
*pain is not love
*confusion is not clarity
*an asshole is not romantic
*secrecy does not inspire trust
Hah! I started out giving this two stars, but I got myself so worked up in the review, I realized it needed to be just one star.
I don't really know how this book went so wrong. This is a cool idea, and a good story, and it just ... sucked. This is only the second book I've read by Ms Showalter, so I don't know if this is normal for her or not. I'll keep going to #3 just to see what happens in the series.
ETA (4 years later) : Hahahaha! Oh who am I kidding!?! I'm NEVER reading another book in this series! I doubt I'll ever read any other book by Showalter. Too many books, too little time, no time to waste on bad books like this.
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