An incredible short story collection that encompasses everything from magical realism, to spec/sci-fi, to horror, to humor and superheroes. Ranges theAn incredible short story collection that encompasses everything from magical realism, to spec/sci-fi, to horror, to humor and superheroes. Ranges the gamut from laugh-out-loud funny to squirm-in-your-seat horror. Looking forward to reading more of his work....more
A super funny, clever book with super endearing characters, especially the main character, who is a sweetheart. Fun for both teens and adults alike, aA super funny, clever book with super endearing characters, especially the main character, who is a sweetheart. Fun for both teens and adults alike, and the necromancy parts are spine-tingling enough for any horror fan or fan of the supernatural....more
I LOVED this book for its shear creativity and diversity of stories. Some breath-takingly haunting stories as well as funny ones. Something for everyoI LOVED this book for its shear creativity and diversity of stories. Some breath-takingly haunting stories as well as funny ones. Something for everyone. My absolute favorite, hands-down was "The Herd," by Tyler Keevil. The shocking twist at the end had me reeling. Whoa. Hats off to editor Silvia Moreno-Garcia for pulling together such a great compilation....more
This book makes me weep on so levels. Gorgeous writing, but not in a flowery way—in a terse way that makes you feel the cold on your face and fingers.This book makes me weep on so levels. Gorgeous writing, but not in a flowery way—in a terse way that makes you feel the cold on your face and fingers. Makes you see your own breath. Makes you feel the ever-present danger that you may die and your son may be alone in a world of cannibals.
I received this book as a promotional give-away, but upon starting to read it, I liked it so much I immediately went online to purchase another copy sI received this book as a promotional give-away, but upon starting to read it, I liked it so much I immediately went online to purchase another copy so the author would have my money.
First off, despite the fact that this is a children’s book, it is on the older end of middle grade, and super intelligent, with a wee bit of innocent romance; enough for a persnickety adult like to me to enjoy it very much. And, as zombie books go, it’s very different from most of what’s out there. It’s lighthearted enough to set itself dramatically apart from the world of darkly apocalyptic zombie fiction, but it’s got some good some high-stakes conflict, and definitely holds your attention to the end. A family of mother-daughter voodoo conjure bakers? Cake-eating zombies? See? I totally had you at cake-eating zombies.
Also great about this book is the fact that the protagonist is an African-American girl. Best part, I could even imagine this as a movie. Disney, you need to get on this, NOW. ...more
Scott Westerfeld’s blurb on the cover of this book says it all: “A post-apocalyptic romance of the first order, elegantly written from the title to laScott Westerfeld’s blurb on the cover of this book says it all: “A post-apocalyptic romance of the first order, elegantly written from the title to last line.” It’s true. Every last inch of this gripping, cliché-defying zombie novel is beautiful, even in its most horrific moments, and everything shimmers with emotion. From the opening conflict where Mary, the main character, loses her mother to the Unconsecrated to wander the Forest of Hands and Teeth forever, to the tragic romance, all the way to the tumultuous end, it’s a book you will feel deeply.
I highly recommend this book for teens and adults alike. ...more
The first time I attempted to read this book, I never made it past the first quarter, because it was almost too realistic, too scary. Told as a seriesThe first time I attempted to read this book, I never made it past the first quarter, because it was almost too realistic, too scary. Told as a series of journalistic “interviews” with survivors of a fictional worldwide zombie outbreak, it can read like your worst nightmare come true, in vivid detail. The second time I attempted a read, I finished it, but had to force myself, as other aspects of the book came forward and slowed me down. Because World War Z is quite literally a war story, it features interviews with military personnel and officials in high command, which unfortunately lost my interest. It makes me sad, but that’s when I realized I’m not the target market for this book. Also, because the story is told through several perspectives, it’s difficult to follow the narrative arc, and to identify strongly with any one character. (I hope they address this with the movie release.) Furthermore, the book’s subjects are mostly men, and that made it more difficult to connect to the stories.
All this having been said, World War Z is brilliantly written. It took skill to create the many different (and often hilarious) voices in this book, all the imaginative outbreak scenarios, and to weave them together. There are many gems that make this a worthwhile read. I give it 4 stars for sheer brilliance alone, and hope the right readers connect to it.
Team Zombie! No, team Unicorn! No, Team Zombie! Fight me!
This will be your conflicted inner dialogue as you read this book—an anthology of zombie and unTeam Zombie! No, team Unicorn! No, Team Zombie! Fight me!
This will be your conflicted inner dialogue as you read this book—an anthology of zombie and unicorn shorts by today’s best and brightest YA writers, like Maureen Johnson, Carrie Ryan, and more. You’ll want to pick a side, but both sides are so, so good. Adding to the fun are the referees’—I MEAN—editors’ comments, Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier, as they banter back and forth before each and every story, duking it out for superiority.
My fave stories? “Children of the Revolution,” by Maureen Johnson. (A hilarious goal scored by Team Zombie.) “Bouganvillea,” by Carrie Ryan. (Atmospheric and clever, also Team Zombie!) And, “The Third Virgin,” by Kathleen Duey. (That’s one for Team Unicorn! Wooooot!)
So, who’s team are you on? I'd love to know. Read it, and let's chat! ...more
Listen up, ladies. When the zombie apocalypse rolls around, you’ll need to find yourself a sensitive zombie. Not one of those other dumb macho zombiesListen up, ladies. When the zombie apocalypse rolls around, you’ll need to find yourself a sensitive zombie. Not one of those other dumb macho zombies that only care about eating people. Gawd, no. You want one that thinks, feels, and maybe even dreams. One that regrets eating people. One that practically writes motherflippin’ poetry.
“R” from Warm Bodies is exactly that zombie. If there were an Undead Poet’s Society, R would be its president, vice president, and secretary-treasurer, because he is that good. His heart-wrenching, existential thoughts belie his gray, flesh-eating zombie exterior, revealing a soul that feels everything deeply, and the fear of losing more and more of his humanity every day. That is, until he meets Julie, who’s as alive as she is beautiful.
Cue the violins, please.
R’s relationship with Julie—more important, her love for R—is what slowly reawakens his humanity. And it is this love that might just save the world. How? Rather than give you any spoilers, I’m going stop right there, and just tell you to read this book. But I’ll say one last thing, ladies: R is the only zombie I’d ever kiss full on the mouth.
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