Year Zero Vol. 2

Title: Year Zero Vol. 2

Author: Benjamin Percy, Kaare Andrews, Juan Jose Ryp, Frank Martin

Publisher: Artists, Writers, and Artisans 2020

Genre: Graphic Novel Horror

Pages: 144

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Spooky Reading Season

Where I Got It: Library

Upshot's hit series Year Zero returns with four new harrowing tales of survival from around a post apocalyptic world, set several months after the events on Volume One: A grizzled Norwegian sea captain and her two young grandchildren navigate an ocean teeming with undead while eluding the relentless pirates on their trail. A Colombian cartel boss indulges all of his most sadistic whims unaware that a threat far greater than zombies is headed toward his jungle fortress. A Rwandan doctor must overcome the crippling fear that has plagued him all his life as he stumbles through the African bush. And a pregnant woman barricaded in an American big box store discovers that the greatest threat to her life – and her unborn child's – might not be undead. Benjamin Percy (Wolverine, X-Force) once again pens this global look at the zombie apocalypse, now joined by artist Juan Jose Ryp (Britannia) and colorist Frank Martin (Infinity Wars).

Another great collection of stories. I really enjoyed the Norwegian sea captain story. We get to see children added into the mix and a fun setting. I also really enjoyed the art style of that story. It was bleak and yet fun of emotion and action. Another great collection of stories from the zombie apocalypse.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Year Zero Vol. 1

Title: Year Zero Vol. 1

Author: Benjamin Percy, Ramon Rosanas, Kaare Andrews, Lee Loughridge

Publisher: Artists, Writers, and Artisans 2020

Genre: Graphic Novel Horror

Pages: 144

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Spooky Reading Season

Where I Got It: Library

Ben Percy (Wolverine) and Ramon Rosanas (Star Wars: Age of Resistance) team up to present an epic tale that offers a global look at the Zombie Apocalypse. A Japanese hitman, a Mexican street urchin, an Afghan military aide, a Polar research scientist, a midwestern American survivalist – five survivors of a horrific global epidemic who must draw upon their unique skills and deepest instincts to navigate a world of shambling dead. Year Zero wrestles with the weighty moral and theological questions posed by the pandemic and investigates its cause and possible cure.

I cycled back around to the actual beginning of this series. Love the multiple storylines as we watch the zombie apocalypse unfold. My favorite was definitely the Afghan military aide story. I found her story to be very compelling even within such a short amount of time. I sped through this collection as I could not put it down. Love this spooky story for spooky reading season.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Year Zero Vol. 0

Title: Year Zero Vol. 0

Author: Daniel Kraus, Goran Sudžuka

Publisher: Artists, Writers, and Artisans 2023

Genre: Graphic Novel Horror

Pages: 128

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Spooky Season

Where I Got It: Library

In this action-packed prelude to the hit series, acclaimed horror writer Daniel Kraus (George Romero's The Living Dead, The Autumnal) unveils four globe-spanning tales from the earliest days of the zombie apocalypse when even the wildest rumors couldn't measure up to the horror to come. A streetwise Russian cop patrols the back alleys of the opportunistic black market that emerges in response to the crisis...a North Korean soldier observes strange happenings on the DMZ...An E.R. nurse in the rural South fights to protect her hospital from threats without and within...A transgender flight attendant who has observed disturbing clues as she crisscrosses the globe keeps a wary eye on the passenger in seat 23C.

I somehow completely missed this series. I absolutely love zombie stories so I definitely needed to grab this one. I didn’t even realize that this is prequel, but it was still a fun ride to see the beginnings of a zombie apocalypse. We follow a few characters as they slowly get the sense that something terrible is happening. The Korean storyline was my favorite. We get a few very introspective conversations and monologues by those characters. I really loved the reveals as the stories progressed. I most definitely need to keep reading this series.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith

Title: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (Dawn of the Dreadfuls #1)

Author: Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith

Publisher: Quirk Books 2009

Genre: Classics; Horror

Pages: 359

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Unread Shelf

Complete with romance, heartbreak, swordfights, cannibalism, and thousands of rotting corpses, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is an audacious retelling of English literature's most enduring novel. This expanded edition of the beloved Jane Austen novel featuring all-new scenes of bone-crunching zombie mayhem begins when a mysterious plague falls upon the quiet English village of Meryton—and the dead are returning to life! Feisty heroine Elizabeth Bennet is determined to wipe out the zombie menace, but she's soon distracted by the arrival of the haughty and arrogant Mr. Darcy. What ensues is a delightful comedy of manners with plenty of civilized sparring between the two young lovers—and even more violent sparring on the blood-soaked battlefield. It's the perfect read for literature lovers, zombie fans, and anyone who loves a reanimated Austen.

Technically this is a reread for me, but it was chosen as a Nerdy Bookish Friends selection. After we picked it, we realized that there are two different versions: the original and a reissue with 30% more zombies. Apparently I read the original, but own the new deluxe edition. So this was basically a new read for me. To be clear, this is not high literature. Sure it’s Jane Austen’s writing for 90%. But then we thrown in random zombie phrases and scenes. It create a mishmash of genres. But I enjoyed every page of it. I love Austen and zombies, and this was the perfect read for me. I suspect that this won’t be a favorite amongst my Nerdy Bookish Friends, but I still really loved it.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Deathless Divide by Justina Ireland

Title: Deathless Divide (Dread Nation #2)

Author: Justine Ireland

Publisher: Balzer + Bray 2020

Genre: YA Horror

Pages: 553

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Ebook

After the fall of Summerland, Jane McKeene hoped her life would get simpler: Get out of town, stay alive, and head west to California to find her mother.

But nothing is easy when you’re a girl trained in putting down the restless dead, and a devastating loss on the road to a protected village called Nicodemus has Jane questioning everything she thought she knew about surviving in 1880s America.

What’s more, this safe haven is not what it appears—as Jane discovers when she sees familiar faces from Summerland amid this new society. Caught between mysteries and lies, the undead, and her own inner demons, Jane soon finds herself on a dark path of blood and violence that threatens to consume her.

But she won’t be in it alone.

Katherine Deveraux never expected to be allied with Jane McKeene. But after the hell she has endured, she knows friends are hard to come by—and that Jane needs her too, whether Jane wants to admit it or not.

Watching Jane’s back, however, is more than she bargained for, and when they both reach a breaking point, it’s up to Katherine to keep hope alive—even as she begins to fear that there is no happily-ever-after for girls like her.

Yes! This was such a great follow-up to Dread Nation! We fall right back in with Jane and Katherine but time and circumstances have changed situation. I loved seeing what was happening out west after spending the first book in the east and in the middle of the country. I loved that we retained a few of the favorite characters and even added some new ones. I was along for the ride from page one. The book may not have ended with a happily ever after, but it definitely had a resolution to one of the big storylines. Loved every second of this series.

Dread Nation

• #1 Dread Nation

• #2 Deathless Divide

Next up on the TBR pile:

Dread Nation by Justina Ireland

Title: Dread Nation (Dread Nation #1)

Author: Justine Ireland

Publisher: Balzer + Bray 2018

Genre: YA Horror

Pages: 418

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: GR Random; Monthly Theme

Jane McKeene was born two days before the dead began to walk the battlefields of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania—derailing the War Between the States and changing the nation forever.

In this new America, safety for all depends on the work of a few, and laws like the Native and Negro Education Act require certain children attend combat schools to learn to put down the dead.

But there are also opportunities—and Jane is studying to become an Attendant, trained in both weaponry and etiquette to protect the well-to-do. It's a chance for a better life for Negro girls like Jane. After all, not even being the daughter of a wealthy white Southern woman could save her from society’s expectations.

But that’s not a life Jane wants. Almost finished with her education at Miss Preston's School of Combat in Baltimore, Jane is set on returning to her Kentucky home and doesn’t pay much mind to the politics of the eastern cities, with their talk of returning America to the glory of its days before the dead rose.

But when families around Baltimore County begin to go missing, Jane is caught in the middle of a conspiracy, one that finds her in a desperate fight for her life against some powerful enemies. 

And the restless dead, it would seem, are the least of her problems.

Oh my goodness! This was a thrilling ride! I immediately starting rooting for Jane, but know bad things were going to happen to her (that’s how zombie books go). I loved starting at Miss Preston’s school before venturing out into the world outside. I loved the world Ireland creates. I’m a sucker for good alternative history. This world is a horrible yet fascinating one. I was fully invested in the characters and the story. Like Jane, I needed to see what was really going on in Baltimore and in Summerland. Even Katherine grew on me and I daresay, I actually like her now! I can’t wait to read the second book and find out who made it out of Summerland (fingers crossed for Gideon) and who our characters have still yet to meet.

Dread Nation

• #1 Dread Nation

• #2 Deathless Divide

Next up on the TBR pile:

Hollowmen by Amanda Hocking

Title: Hollowmen (The Hollows #2)

Author: Amanda Hocking

Publisher: Createspace 2011

Genre: YA Horror

Pages: 363

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Ebook

After six months in the quarantine, Remy finds out things are much worse than she feared. Her plans to escape come with a heavy cost, and she realizes that zombies aren't the worst of her problems.

I snatched up this ebook after finishing the first book earlier this month. And I was disappointed… I was hoping for good zombie romp with a fun and strong heroine. Instead, we get one too many coincidences and little zombie action. I just didn’t like Remy at all in this book. And Max was a wet blanket. And argh! I hated the deaths in this book. It just didn’t bring me much joy to read this one at all.

The Hollows

• #1 Hollowland

• #2 Hollowmen

Next up on the TBR pile:

Hollowland by Amanda Hocking

Title: Hollowland (The Hollows #1)

Author: Amanda Hocking

Publisher: Createspace 2010

Genre: YA Horror

Pages: 330

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Ebook; TBR Random

"This is the way the world ends - not with a bang or a whimper, but with zombies breaking down the back door."

Nineteen-year-old Remy King is on a mission to get across the wasteland left of America, and nothing will stand in her way - not violent marauders, a spoiled rock star, or an army of flesh-eating zombies.

This was a pretty fun zombie book. The plot sped through at breakneck pace following Remy as she tries to reach quarantine and, more importantly, her brother. Along the way we get many zombie encounters plus those involving not-so-great humans. There’s not a ton to this book, but I really enjoyed this romp. I will definitely be reading the sequel. This one ended in a doozy of a cliffhanger.

The Hollows

• #1 Hollowland

• #2 Hollowmen

Next up on the TBR pile:

After the Cure by Deirdre Gould

Title: After the Cure (After the Cure #1)

Author: Deirdre Gould

Publisher: Amazon 2013

Genre: Horror

Pages: 401

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Ebook

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. And what had been done to them.

Over time, society began to rebuild itself. Now it is 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. They race to find the answers they need before the fragile remains of humanity vanish for good.

I enjoyed this after the plague novel dealing with the question of “who takes responsibility for the zombie apocalypse?” I immediately fell for Nella and Frank and wanted to see them gain some kind of peace after the tragic events of the December plague. I was intrigued by the questions of “how to revive society?” and “what does it mean to be human?” This book was a lot more thought-provoking than I thought it would be initially (and especially due to the cover). I slowly started to understand what was actually going on and was horrified by the actions of a few to the determent of the entire world. The second half of the book kicks into high gear and we actually encounter a few infested people. More is revealed about the horrors of the plague. And we get a satisfying conclusion. But then, there’s one last chapter to the book and I just couldn’t. I understand authors wanting to write series, but the set-up for the rest of the series really felt shoehorned in there. I did not like. I don’t think I will be reading the rest of the series. I am choosing to think of this as a one-off book.

After the Cure

• # 1 After the Cure

• #2 The Cured

• #3 Krisis

• #4 Poveglia

• #5 The 40th Day

Next up on the TBR pile:

Grave Minder by Melissa Marr

Title: Grave Minder

Author: Melissa Marr

Publisher: William Morrow 2012

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 352

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Ebook

Rebekkah Barrow never forgot the tender attention her grandmother, Maylene, bestowed upon the dead of Claysville. While growing up, Rebekkah watched as Maylene performed the same unusual ritual at every funeral: three sips from a small silver flask followed by the words, “Sleep well, and stay where I put you.”

Now Maylene is gone and Bek must return to the hometown—and the man—she abandoned a decade ago, only to discover that Maylene’s death was not natural . . . and there was good reason for her odd traditions. In Claysville, the worlds of the living and the dead are dangerously connected—and beneath the town lies a shadowy, lawless land ruled by the enigmatic Charles, aka Mr. D. From this dark place the deceased will return if their graves are not properly minded. And only the Graveminder, a Barrow woman, and the current Undertaker, Byron, can set things to right once the dead begin to walk. . . .

Such a muddled mess of a book. There are so many interesting ideas and world building aspects to this book, but the characters and plot just don’t do it justice. I was thoroughly confused by certain aspects of the world, but willing to accept some things are just fact in the book. Okay fine. But then we turn to the characters and I got so incredibly annoyed. Rebekkah is just a spoiled, indecisive person. Quickly I got sick of her internal monologue of “should I or shouldn’t I”. Very boring and repetitive. Byron was a bit better, but still a bit whiny for my tastes. Both of the main characters acted more like they were teenagers than in their mid-20s. I just didn’t buy it. And don’t get me started on Maylene and William. Why was is necessary to completely keep your successors in the dark as to the entire world of Claysville? The secret keeping just caused so many problems. I could have fixed the entire story in the first chapter avoiding the entire conflict. Last note: Why are the undead not zombies? They sure seemed like zombies to me… Very confusing.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Life Among the Dead by Daniel Cotton

Title: Life Among the Dead (Live Among the Dead #1)

Author: Daniel Cotton

Publisher: Permuted Press 2013

Genre: Horror

Pages: 444

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Ebook

There are over a million people in the city of Waterloo. Today, most of them have died, and now they are hungry. Corporal Dan Williamson is caught in the middle of the outbreak. He is desperately trying to reach his wife who is somewhere amid the urban decay. There are other souls out there, other tales of survival among the horror. Dan will soon learn that the living may prove to be an even bigger threat than the dead.

A random free ebook find for spooky October! Overall, I really enjoyed this zombie adventure story. I loved the vignette style of storytelling and constant change of setting. Dan is a good zombie apocalypse hero for follow. I ended up knocking off a star for the too many sexual references and scenes. I just couldn’t with those scenes. I doubt that I will continue with the series, but this was a good read for the week.

Life Among the Dead:

• #1 Life Among the Dead

• #2 A Castle Made of Sand

• #3 A Bittersweet Victory

• #4 The End

Next up on the TBR pile:

Z-Burbia by Jake Bible

Title: Z-Burbia (Z-Burbia #1)

Author: Jake Bible

Publisher: Severed Press 2013

Genre: Horror

Pages: 228

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: What’s in a Name - Starts with Z; A to Z - Z; Seasonal Series - Break My Heart

Whispering Pines is a classic, quiet, private American subdivision on the edge of Asheville, NC, set in the pristine Blue Ridge Mountains. Which is good since the zombie apocalypse has come to Western North Carolina and really put suburban living to the test! 
Surrounded by a sea of the undead, the residents of Whispering Pines have adapted their bucolic life of block parties to scavenging parties, common area groundskeeping to immediate area warfare, neighborhood beautification to neighborhood fortification. 

But, even in the best of times, suburban living has its ups and downs what with nosy neighbors, a strict Home Owners’ Association, and a property management company that believes the words “strict interpretation” are holy words when applied to the HOA covenants. Now with the zombie apocalypse upon them even those innocuous, daily irritations quickly become dramatic struggles for personal identity, family security, and straight up survival.

Welcome to normal life in Z-Burbia!

Eh. I’m going to say this one is pretty boring. Not enough character development. Not enough zombies. Too much swearing (and this coming from someone who curses like a sailor). I was just pretty bored through most of this story. I know it’s the first in a series, but I’m going to say that this series will not be one I will be continuing. Just pretty boring to me.

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Walking Dead: Here's Negan

Title: The Walking Dead: Here's Negan

Author: Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard, Cliff Rathburn, Dave Stewart

Publisher: Image 2017

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 70

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

Who is Negan? Since his debut in THE WALKING DEAD #100, the charismatic psychopath has antagonized Rick Grimes, murdered his friend with a baseball bat wrapped in barb wire (which he calls "Lucille"), and led the Saviors into war against Alexandria and the neighboring communities. But who was he before society broke down? That question will be answered here, collecting the “HERE’S NEGAN!” story originally serialized in IMAGE+ magazine.

Great backstory for one of the most interesting villains in comics books. I was so very interested in how Negan became the man we see in the main series. Loved every page in this volume. Great story! 

Next up on the TBR pile:

A Mad Zombie Party by Gena Showalter

Title: A Mad Zombie Party (White Rabbit Chronicles #4)

Author: Gena Showalter

Publisher: Harlequin Teen 2015

Genre: YA - Fantasy

Pages: 424

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: I Love Libraries; Seasonal Series - Audiobook

Ali Bell and Cole Holland'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 is the one who betrayed them all, leading to Kat's death. 

But when Anima rises from the grave to become a force the slayers may not have the strength to overcome, 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 isn't through revenge, but in letting go of the past and grabbing hold of the future.

I have loved this series, but the last book just didn't grab me. It boils down to the change in narration. I was all for Ali's voice and her perspective. Changing it to a split narration between Frosty and Milla just threw me and I never really connected to them. I definitely wanted to finish this series, but didn't love the storyline and characters in this one.

White Rabbit Chronicles:

• #1 Alice in Zombieland
• #1.5 Cole... Meet Ali
• #2 Through the Zombie Glass
• #3 The Queen of Zombie Hearts
• #4 A Mad Zombie Party
• #4.1 Kat in Zombieland

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Queen of Zombie Hearts by Gena Showalter

Title: The Queen of Zombie Hearts (White Rabbit Chronicles #3)

Author: Gena Showalter

Publisher: Harlequin Teen 2014

Genre: YA - Fantasy

Pages: 459

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: A to Z - Q; I Love Libraries; Seasonal Series - Great Friendship

I thought I had nothing left to give. I thought wrong. They started the war. Now I will end it. 

Alice "Ali" Bell thinks the worst is behind her. She's ready to take the next step with boyfriend Cole Holland, the leader of the zombie slayers…until Anima Industries, the agency controlling the zombies, launches a sneak attack, killing four of her friends. It's then she realizes that humans can be more dangerous than monsters…and the worst has only begun.

I sped through this volume just like the first two. I can't get enough of Ali and Cole and all the assorted fun characters. I am right there for the big mysteries. These books are just so much fun to read. I don't want to put them down and can't wait to see what happens next. This particular volume had some very interesting developments. We finally get to meet the head of Anima and see some big developments in Ali's abilities. Lots of fun. Can't wait to pick up the next one.

White Rabbit Chronicles:

• #1 Alice in Zombieland
• #1.5 Cole... Meet Ali
• #2 Through the Zombie Glass
• #3 The Queen of Zombie Hearts
• #4 A Mad Zombie Party
• #4.1 Kat in Zombieland

Next up on the TBR pile:

Through the Zombie Glass by Gena Showalter

Title: Through the Zombie Glass (White Rabbit Chronicles #2)

Author: Gena Showalter

Publisher: Harlequin Teen 2013

Genre: YA - Fantasy

Pages: 478

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: A to Z - T; I Love Libraries; Seasonal Series - Read a Book While Eating Chocolate

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.

This is exactly what I needed to read this weekend: a fun, sometimes horrifying young adult fantasy. I devoured every word, reading this one in only two days. I couldn't get enough of this fast-paced adventure. I was desperate to see what happened to regular Ali and Zombie Ali. I kept yelling (in my head) at Cole to get his shit together. I speculated on the identity of the spy and actually got it right for once. I can't wait to pick up the next volume.

White Rabbit Chronicles:

• #1 Alice in Zombieland
• #1.5 Cole... Meet Ali
• #2 Through the Zombie Glass
• #3 The Queen of Zombie Hearts
• #4 A Mad Zombie Party
• #4.1 Kat in Zombieland

Next up on the TBR pile:

Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter

Title: Alice in Zombieland (White Rabbit Chronicles #1)

Author: Gena Showalter

Publisher: Harlequin 2012

Genre: YA - Fantasy

Pages: 404

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual - YA Retellings; I Love Libraries; Seasonal Series - Character Growth

She won't rest until she's sent every walking corpse back to its grave. Forever. Had anyone told Alice Bell that her entire life would change course between one heartbeat and the next she would have laughed. But that's all it took. One heartbeat. A blink, a breath, a second, and everything she knew and loved was gone. Her father was right. The monsters are real. To avenge her family Ali must learn to fight the undead. To survive she must learn to trust the baddest of the bad boys, Cole Holland. But Cole has secrets of his own and if Ali isn't careful those secrets might just prove to be more dangerous than the zombies.

This series has been sitting on my virtual TBR shelf for years now. I'm always a sucker for Alice in Wonderland adjacent books and movies. Most of them are super dumb, but I watch or read anyway. Thankfully this one was delightful. I sped through this volume in just over a day. I couldn't put it down. I loved the references here and there to Alice. I loved the zombies (gotta love the zombies). I loved the various side characters that added a bit of flavor to the story (Kat is hands-down my favorite). And I very much loved Ali and Cole. My one little issue is the over done trope of characters withholding important information "for their own good."  Seriously there would be a  lot less conflict and heartache in books if people were just upfront with information and their thoughts. But I know, being honest doesn't make for good conflicts in books. Oh well. Still really loved this one and can't wait to grab the next volume from the library.

White Rabbit Chronicles:

• #1 Alice in Zombieland
• #1.5 Cole... Meet Ali
• #2 Through the Zombie Glass
• #3 The Queen of Zombie Hearts
• #4 A Mad Zombie Party
• #4.1 Kat in Zombieland

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Day the Dead Came to Show and Tell by Mira Grant

Title: The Day the Dead Came to Show and Tell (Newsflash #3.6)

Author: Mira Grant

Publisher: Orbit 2014

Genre: Horror 

Pages: 105

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; What's in a Name - Word "the" used twice

A new Newsflesh novella from the New York Times bestselling author that brought you Feed, Mira Grant.

Outside the classroom walls the Rising was spreading, but inside was a carefully protected sanctuary against the growing threat. 

Or so the teachers and students thought.

I thoroughly enjoyed Grant's original Newsflesh trilogy a few years back and have been enjoying the additions of the short stories and continuations of the story. This short little story was full of all the horror and expert writing I have come to expect from Grant. I was completely horrified by this tale of a teacher attempting to save herself and her students from the unspeakable horror of the infected. I sped through this story and loved very bit of it. Such a great story!

Newflesh:

• #0.5 Countdown
• #0.75 San Diego 2014
• #1 Feed
• #1.5 Fed
• #2 Deadline
• #3 Blackout
• #3.5 How Green This Land, How Blue This Sea
• #3.6 The Day the Dead Came to Show and Tell
• #3.7 Please Do Not Taunt the Octopus
• #4 Feedback
• #4.5 All the Pretty Little Horses
• #4.6 Coming to You Live

Next up on the TBR pile:

Omega Days by John Campbell

Title: Omega Days

Author: John Campbell

Publisher: Berkley 2013

Genre: Horror

Pages: 360

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: New to Me

San Francisco, California. Father Xavier Church has spent his life ministering to unfortunate souls, but he has never witnessed horror like this. After he forsakes his vows in the most heartrending of ways, he watches helplessly as a zombie nun takes a bite out of a fellow priest’s face…
University of California, Berkeley. Skye Dennison is moving into her college dorm for the first time, simultaneously excited to be leaving the nest and terrified to be on her own. When her mother and father are eaten alive in front of her, she realizes the terror has just begun…
Alameda, California. Angie West made millions off her family’s reality gun show on the History Channel. But after she is cornered by the swarming undead, her knowledge of heavy artillery is called into play like never before…

I had checked this out a few months back, but ran out of time to read it and had to return it to the library. For Halloween, the librarians put up a special display and it was just sitting there calling my name. So I grabbed it, sat down and read this in two days. Campbell pushes you right into the madness and doesn't stop until the last page. And even then there's a cliffhanger... I thoroughly enjoyed this zombie book. It won't land on my Top 10 list for the year, but I am defiitely going to keep reading this series. 

Omega Days:

• #1 Omega Days
• #2 Ship of the Dead
• #3 Drifters
• #4 Crossbones

Next up on the TBR pile:

Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel

Title: Dearly, Departed

Author: Lia Habel

Publisher: Del Rey 2011

Genre: YA - Horror

Pages: 470

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Read Your Book Shelf; New Author

The year is 2195. The place is New Victoria—a high-tech nation modeled on the mores of an antique era. Sixteen-year-old Nora Dearly is far more interested in her country’s political unrest than in silly debutante balls. But the death of her beloved parents leaves Nora at the mercy of a social-climbing aunt who plans to marry off her niece for money. To Nora, no fate could be more horrible—until she’s nearly kidnapped by an army of walking corpses. Now she’s suddenly gunning down ravenous zombies alongside mysterious black-clad commandos and confronting a fatal virus that raises the dead. Then Nora meets Bram Griswold, a young soldier who is brave, handsome, noble . . . and thoroughly deceased. But like the rest of his special undead unit, Bram has been enabled by luck and modern science to hold on to his mind, his manners, and his body parts. And when his bond of trust with Nora turns to tenderness, there’s no turning back. Eventually, they know, the disease will win, separating the star-crossed lovers forever. But until then, beating or not, their hearts will have what they desire.

One of those books that's been on my shelf for way too long! I finally picked it up and was glad I did. I love a good zombie book and this one had some good twists on the mythos. We get good zombies and bad zombies. We get a future dystopian world (at least for the New Victorians). We get a good adventure story. I will admit that it took me about 100 pages to really get into it, but once I did, I sped through it.  There's a companion novel that I had to put a hold on at the library. 

Gone with the Respiration:

• #1 Dearly, Departed
• #2 Dearly, Beloved

Next up on the TBR pile: