I was given an ARC copy of this book by the author in exchange for an h4.5 * rounded up
Chemistry (Stella Blunt #1) 4 *
History (Stella Blunt #2) 4.5*
I was given an ARC copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
I remember being slightly reluctant to read ‘Chemistry’ originally since I’d heard it was a Twilight parody, and I find parodies are so often poorly done. Still, I kept coming across the book and curiosity got the better of me. I was very glad I did since ‘Chemistry’ was laugh out loud funny and, while it did nod to the source material, was very much its own story as well.
History picks up where Chemistry leaves off. (In fact there are some brilliant free fics set in between ‘Chemistry’ and ‘History’ that the author is giving away on her website so I highly recommend checking those out too – Tim is my clear and away favourite character and ‘the Bean Counter’ is all about him!) Where was I? Post ‘Chemistry’, Stella has settled into her new home and school, and into her relationship with semi-zombie boyfriend, Howie. It’s Stella’s final year at school and graduation is fast approaching. The only blot on the horizon is the increasing strain in her relationship with Howie. Howie btw is so adorable that you just kinda want to pick pieces off him and eat him like marzipan – or you would if he wasn’t infected with zombie virus. The same virus that is such a barrier for Howie interacted on a perceived level of normalcy with the world. Meanwhile, enter good looking, charming, popular and Stella Smitten Dean – who turns up, appropriately enough, in Stella’s drama class. Fear not that this will turn into a love triangle, oh ye of little faith.
So far so rom com? Well yes and no because the widening cracks in Stella’s and Howie’s relationship set off a chain of events that will change the world forever. No exaggeration there. Not even a little bit.
History combines loose parodies – or rather subversions – of Meyer’s ‘New Moon’ and ‘Eclipse’. However the book is still very much its own thing. Personally I felt the humour was darker here than it was in ‘Chemistry’ – as it should be considering what happens. I really enjoyed that but admittedly I have a very dark sense of humour (a decade and more or working in the NHS will do that to you.) There is romance, action, dark fantasy and plenty of sharp dialogue. I imagine this would appeal to fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Cassandra Clare’s ‘The Mortal Instruments’ (although this is far better than the latter).
On the subject of subversion, the one I liked most was that in these books, the ‘gorgeous immortal’ is actually at a real disadvantage. At no point is being a zombie sold to us a sexy life choice, which I really appreciated. I enjoy a trashy vampire book, for example, as much as the next person but I do sometimes wonder what the slew of romanticised monsters in teen fiction is really telling readers. (Sometimes it seems worrying like the message is ‘being you, isn’t enough. Being human and aiming for human goals and having human aspirations is mundane.’ Like we have to outsource the extraordinary rather than learn to see it in the every day.) In line with this disadvantage, Lynch explores the difficulties inherent in a relationship between two people where one party is neuroatypical and the other just doesn’t understand why they can’t rise above it. As someone who is neuroatypical and a chronic pain sufferer, I found that this portrayal rang true even if it didn’t exactly echo my own circumstances.
Finally a word on characterisation; Stella is a great character – loud, aggressive, witty, plus sized, kung fu fighting, and under the abrasive exterior, kind. She is by no means likeable all the time but that only adds to her depth as a character. Her interactions with other characters are pitch perfect. I especially like the very balanced and healthy relationship she has with her parents – admittedly I would read an entire 250k epic about Stella’s dad, Tim, making snarky comments on the TV listings and consider it time well spent.
My minor quibbles are entirely to do with me so don’t read them as real criticisms because I am 99% sure that they have far more to do with my personality than the book. Occasionally I found Howie, as delightful as he is, to be a bit too good to be true. On the other hand he both is a teenager and isn’t, having been one for about sixty years – no wonder he is both patient and boasting a greater range of understanding than most teens of the same age. Other minor quibble? This really is me because in general I don’t like romance so I am hyper sensitive to anything sweet in that regard, but some of the dialogue in the love scenes seemed to me to be a bit sentimental. Please bear in mind that I am generally a cold customer and unless you’re a six week old kitten, you’re unlikely to get an ‘awww’ out of me. And yet I still was totally rooting for Stella and Howie, despite any personal cringiness dilemmas.
The best bits about this book? It doesn’t over or under romanticise sex. It is sex positive in its portrayal of being a teen, especially a teen girl, and looks at issues of consent without preaching – from both male and female perspectives. We need more of that in YA fiction. By the same token it doesn’t over or under romanticise a teenaged relationship, also important. There are some kick ass action sequences and an intriguing examination of how a zombie virus might work. It also manages to be by turns dark and gritty, and funny and sweet. I really enjoyed this and can’t wait for ‘Biology’. Highly recommend this for all lovers of humorous urban fantasy.
Merged review:
4.5 * rounded up
Chemistry (Stella Blunt #1) 4 *
History (Stella Blunt #2) 4.5*
I was given an ARC copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
I remember being slightly reluctant to read ‘Chemistry’ originally since I’d heard it was a Twilight parody, and I find parodies are so often poorly done. Still, I kept coming across the book and curiosity got the better of me. I was very glad I did since ‘Chemistry’ was laugh out loud funny and, while it did nod to the source material, was very much its own story as well.
History picks up where Chemistry leaves off. (In fact there are some brilliant free fics set in between ‘Chemistry’ and ‘History’ that the author is giving away on her website so I highly recommend checking those out too – Tim is my clear and away favourite character and ‘the Bean Counter’ is all about him!) Where was I? Post ‘Chemistry’, Stella has settled into her new home and school, and into her relationship with semi-zombie boyfriend, Howie. It’s Stella’s final year at school and graduation is fast approaching. The only blot on the horizon is the increasing strain in her relationship with Howie. Howie btw is so adorable that you just kinda want to pick pieces off him and eat him like marzipan – or you would if he wasn’t infected with zombie virus. The same virus that is such a barrier for Howie interacted on a perceived level of normalcy with the world. Meanwhile, enter good looking, charming, popular and Stella Smitten Dean – who turns up, appropriately enough, in Stella’s drama class. Fear not that this will turn into a love triangle, oh ye of little faith.
So far so rom com? Well yes and no because the widening cracks in Stella’s and Howie’s relationship set off a chain of events that will change the world forever. No exaggeration there. Not even a little bit.
History combines loose parodies – or rather subversions – of Meyer’s ‘New Moon’ and ‘Eclipse’. However the book is still very much its own thing. Personally I felt the humour was darker here than it was in ‘Chemistry’ – as it should be considering what happens. I really enjoyed that but admittedly I have a very dark sense of humour (a decade and more or working in the NHS will do that to you.) There is romance, action, dark fantasy and plenty of sharp dialogue. I imagine this would appeal to fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Cassandra Clare’s ‘The Mortal Instruments’ (although this is far better than the latter).
On the subject of subversion, the one I liked most was that in these books, the ‘gorgeous immortal’ is actually at a real disadvantage. At no point is being a zombie sold to us a sexy life choice, which I really appreciated. I enjoy a trashy vampire book, for example, as much as the next person but I do sometimes wonder what the slew of romanticised monsters in teen fiction is really telling readers. (Sometimes it seems worrying like the message is ‘being you, isn’t enough. Being human and aiming for human goals and having human aspirations is mundane.’ Like we have to outsource the extraordinary rather than learn to see it in the every day.) In line with this disadvantage, Lynch explores the difficulties inherent in a relationship between two people where one party is neuroatypical and the other just doesn’t understand why they can’t rise above it. As someone who is neuroatypical and a chronic pain sufferer, I found that this portrayal rang true even if it didn’t exactly echo my own circumstances.
Finally a word on characterisation; Stella is a great character – loud, aggressive, witty, plus sized, kung fu fighting, and under the abrasive exterior, kind. She is by no means likeable all the time but that only adds to her depth as a character. Her interactions with other characters are pitch perfect. I especially like the very balanced and healthy relationship she has with her parents – admittedly I would read an entire 250k epic about Stella’s dad, Tim, making snarky comments on the TV listings and consider it time well spent.
My minor quibbles are entirely to do with me so don’t read them as real criticisms because I am 99% sure that they have far more to do with my personality than the book. Occasionally I found Howie, as delightful as he is, to be a bit too good to be true. On the other hand he both is a teenager and isn’t, having been one for about sixty years – no wonder he is both patient and boasting a greater range of understanding than most teens of the same age. Other minor quibble? This really is me because in general I don’t like romance so I am hyper sensitive to anything sweet in that regard, but some of the dialogue in the love scenes seemed to me to be a bit sentimental. Please bear in mind that I am generally a cold customer and unless you’re a six week old kitten, you’re unlikely to get an ‘awww’ out of me. And yet I still was totally rooting for Stella and Howie, despite any personal cringiness dilemmas.
The best bits about this book? It doesn’t over or under romanticise sex. It is sex positive in its portrayal of being a teen, especially a teen girl, and looks at issues of consent without preaching – from both male and female perspectives. We need more of that in YA fiction. By the same token it doesn’t over or under romanticise a teenaged relationship, also important. There are some kick ass action sequences and an intriguing examination of how a zombie virus might work. It also manages to be by turns dark and gritty, and funny and sweet. I really enjoyed this and can’t wait for ‘Biology’. Highly recommend this for all lovers of humorous urban fantasy.
I avoided this book to start with because I dislike spoofs (at least spoofs on successful books, of whicTremendous fun with extra BRAAAIIIINNSSSS! ;)
I avoided this book to start with because I dislike spoofs (at least spoofs on successful books, of which Twilight has many - usually appallingly written) and Chemistry's cover screamed 'Twilight spoof'. On further examination there is so much more to it then that. This is a sharp, witty and extremely funny story that will appeal to both Twilight and non-Twilight fans alike. Yes, there's the obvious crossovers - the basic plot of a girl moving home and meeting a boy who turns out to be the man of her dreams minus the tiny detail that he is dangerous and is tempted to eat her. And some of the names pay a tongue in cheek tribute as well - Stella - Bella. Howard - Edward. the Cullins - the Mullins etc And maybe this started off life as a straight forward parody but it clearly reanimated into something completely different - with added brains.
Stella is not a meek and gentle girl. Stella is loud, swears like a trucker, is a size 18 and has a fair chip on her shoulder about it, intelligent, does not suffer fools gladly and totally kicks arse - literally, she does kung fu. By contrast Howard is a nerdy, 50s throw back, a pariah who everyone else shuns because he and his family are different. Bad different - creepy but can't say why different. It might not be love at first sight but it's definitely love by the third brain wave. Hilarity ensues because Howard has a secret...and he really does love Stella for her brains.
All in all a very entertaining read - one I would read again which is a huge compliment. Some of the scenes went on a little too long in the interest of milking every last laugh, and Stella would come through a bit more clearly if she dropped just a couple less F-bombs (actually if you're one of those people who is for some reason offended by swearing then give this a miss) but that's me being super picky. Really good fun that doesn't pull it's punches, isn't too clean and actually sounds like a seventeen year old girl.
Oh and it is so refreshing to see a teenager that has a really good, open and caring relationship with her broad minded, decent parents. We should all want parents like this or be aiming to be parents like this (undead shenanigans aside!)
I read this in one sitting and although it's not a long read it still says something for the quality of the writing. This is a light and entertaining I read this in one sitting and although it's not a long read it still says something for the quality of the writing. This is a light and entertaining zombie romp with a sing in the tail. The narrative arc circles through several sets of characters who are all convincing and voice perfect, showing the progression of the out break and the decline of civilization. It's very tongue in cheek with several laugh out loud moments. As a reluctant convert to zombie fiction it was a refreshing change to read something more light hearted that the life or death survival stories I've subjected myself to so far. My favourite character was Rory - I really would like to know what happened to her. 4 well deserved stars. ...more
Bit late to the party with this one so short review. On the whole I really liked it. The Girl with all the Gifts doesn't really tread new ground with Bit late to the party with this one so short review. On the whole I really liked it. The Girl with all the Gifts doesn't really tread new ground with the idea of a post apocalyptic world peopled with cannibalistic 'dead' - certainly zombies or infected, the hard bitten army boy, the child who isn't just a child and the driven, megolamaniac scientist are not new tropes. However Carey handles them and the whole process of becoming infected in a new and fresh way (Ok so there was the videogame The Last of Us and we probably all know about Ophiocordyceps unilateralis now) that makes the story engaging and appropriately chilling. What I love about post apocalyptic fiction and zombie fiction in particular, is the survival against the odds storyline. I live for that shit so anyone who can put a different spin on on it can count on me being on board. As a secondary point it would be impossible not to find Melanie's growing awareness of herself as her world broadens sympathetic. It is literally the discovery every child makes that its guardians are not gods but far more powerless than they appear, but on a far larger scale. As a final note, the underlying theme of the novel is choice. We are what we choose to be no matter what hand we get dealt. I enjoyed this....more
Zombie chick-lit? Thelma and Louise and zombies? This book is something along those lines. It's an entertaining enough read but I wouldn't recommend iZombie chick-lit? Thelma and Louise and zombies? This book is something along those lines. It's an entertaining enough read but I wouldn't recommend it for the true conisseur of survival/ zombie stories. Considering the world just ended a huge amount of emphasis ends up being placed on past and present relationships. We are TOLD how the characters feel almost every time there is a break from the action - in other words either the author isn't confident that she's got the point across or doesn't trust the reader to be clever enough to put things together them self. It was eve wearing - by halfway through , everytime we got a break down of someone's emotional state, I was rolling my eyes and wanting the author to just get on with it.
The two MCs are relatable enough although nothing really out of the common way. Jenni becomes a lot more interesting later in the book and I feel that (without spoiling anything) making Katie's sexual orientation one thing was intended as part of a USP and then was totally copped out on later.
The action scenes were ok but I never felt the jeopardy - possibly because I didn't really care who survived a lot of the time. I could have done without the agonizing over every decision and the constant ABC of questioning on how to hold onto humanity. Guess what in that situation you wouldn't be holding onto it in the same way because the things you'd have to do to survive would change you.
All annoyances aside, this did keep me to the end. I don't know if I'll bother with the next one but part of me likes the idea of Zombie chick-lit ( it is the chuck-lit part I have the most problem with) and with a bit more skill the ideas here could be woven in to create something really great. Seriously edit out half the deep and meaningful a on book 2 though!
If you want a zombie book that's a little different give it a try. If you like your zombie stories a little less 'true confessions' there are better zombie stories out there. ...more
I keep saying that I don't like zombies and yet I keep coming back to zombie books. I may need to examine my opinion more closely. In any case this deI keep saying that I don't like zombies and yet I keep coming back to zombie books. I may need to examine my opinion more closely. In any case this deserves a solid four stars for being a perfectly balanced and well paced survival story. I don't think you can call it a romp in any sense of the word because the stakes are just too high but I enjoyed this with the same excitement and feel-good factor as a family film. ( possibly that says more about me...) Allison kicks ass but is very low key about how awesome she is, so much so that it's only when a character later lists her deeds that you realise that yeah this girl rocks and is not a pathetic, beaten down victim but a survivor in the true sense of the word.
She's also flawed and vulnerable and makes mistakes. Who wouldn't in that situation? Despite one or two acts that many would find inexcusable, I found myself thinking 'I'd have killed them cleanly but I get why she did that'. Best of all she doesn't lose her compassion and courage through it all, just finds better ways to direct them.
This is a book for anyone who likes a strong female lead, a great survival story or is a bit of a zombie fanatic, I already have the next book - hope it's as good. ...more
This was very hit and miss for me in terms of overall story. I deliberately waited a few weeks after reading 'the reapers are the angels' because I haThis was very hit and miss for me in terms of overall story. I deliberately waited a few weeks after reading 'the reapers are the angels' because I had a fear that this book couldn't possibly live up to the standard of that one.
In terms of language and dialogue it did but that's about it. Moses is an interesting character - more of the code of living that he shared with Temple. Abraham is not in the least sympathetic and frankly I wondered why Moses didn't just kill him in his sleep. I would have done. I can see that Moses needs a purpose more than anything and in fairness there are moments when Abraham seems almost human but ultimately he was a duff character for me.
Amata is a complicated tangle and not a particularly likable one. On the other hand if Alden bell were to write a reapers story from her POV I'd definitely buy it - would love to know what really goes on in her twisted mind.
The dead in this book don't really add any tension or pose any real threat. Maybe that's intentional. Either way they're caracatuers of humanity, shambling, directionless and pitiable. If they were a metaphor for the aimless consumerism and the attendant spiritual emptiness, then they do a great job. Other wise I'm not really sure what they add. Even over run with dead in an early scene, Moses and Abe don't seem to be in any real danger.
I found the reason behind Amata's apparent dead repellant a little hard to swallow. I'd almost rather it had gone completely unexplained, leaving us to wonder what was different about her.
Add to all that a somewhat flat ending and it was a bit of a damp squib. To do the book justice it was coming in under a distinct disadvantage after reapers and the fact that it was a prequel told in chunks as a campfire story didn't help.
3/5 stars for a good book but not a great one and slight disappointment. ...more
Not just another zombie story. This is set 20+ years after the initial outbreak. Everyone carries a dormant form of the Kellis-Amberlee virus - which Not just another zombie story. This is set 20+ years after the initial outbreak. Everyone carries a dormant form of the Kellis-Amberlee virus - which has been really well researched and thought out - there are several sub-versions of the virus, just as you would expect to find in virology off the page. The fact that everyone and every mammal large enough, is a carrier is what makes society interesting and strange. Funeral rites have undergone a drastic shift, death from natural and unnatural causes is nothing to be taken lightly, oh and yeah there's the ambulatory amplified cases of KA too ...
The world building is superb. This looks at what sort of society might have evolved after the dead start to reanimate and infect the living. I would say it's pretty on the money; people forget but before the discovery of HIV in the 1980's, it WASN'T standard procedure to wear surgical gloves in hospitals, surgeries or dental practices, or to have a clean pair per patient... We've already seen something like this happen within the last 50 years but on a much less extreme scale. So yep, realistic, gritty and with a raw echo of truth about it.
Shaun and Georgia were great characters. Co-dependency? You decide. You're effectively going into a bio-hazard zone or worse, a parent might have an embolism and die during the night and reanimate. Who do you want guarding your back? I can think of maybe two people in that situation.
And last but not least in this disjointed review, the news angle was fresh and original allowing threads of socio-economics, politics and terrorism to be woven in. There is a lot of fact here but it's all cooked and presented with flare - I do love a book that doesn't treat a reader like an idiot!
There were a couple of places where I felt that the pace sagged and one or two moments when the author contradicted herself - the crying and retinal KA for example. But these were very minor issues. This isn't a story about survivors of an apocalypse; this is story about the strain of trying to keep society moving in a positive direction that is not controlled by fear after a world ending event. If you're more about the slash and hack Zombie apocalypse this may not be for you but try it anyway. If you're one of those people that get to the end of the outbreak and think but where did they go from there? Then this is definitely for you.
This was easily the most gripping book I've read in a while. I don't go looking for zombie stories but when I find one it better be far and away beyonThis was easily the most gripping book I've read in a while. I don't go looking for zombie stories but when I find one it better be far and away beyond excellent. This was better than excellent. I was surprised by the beautiful language in what is really a bleak and brutal story. There was something transcendent in the way things were described. This was not your run-of-the-mill disaster story. There are no white hats and black hats, just people who know how the world works now and people in denial - and all kinds of predators in between, not just the dead.
Temple was one of the most refreshing female characters I've ever read. Stopping just short of making her a feral child, we're presented with someone who is practical, resourceful, intelligent and pretty handy in a fight - all of which works for me! There's no illusions about the sort of world she's grown up in but at the same time she manages to see beauty even in the rot and ruin of a dying world. Her outlook on life is surprisingly optimistic and while she fights altruistic urges, she's not so hardened by the need to survive that she won't protect those who need it. Her personal moral code is interesting. I one particular instance I would have 'fixed his wagon' rather than letting a threat continue. I actually like her more because she didn't.
Perhaps one of the strangest things was the complete lack of speech marks. This served to make us feel that we were always deep inside her head even during a conversation. I think it worked but it took getting used to.
Every character was well rounded and satisfying. The end was brutal, visceral and right - though I'm sure it will put some noses out of joint. I'd love to read more in this world. And I don't particularly like zombies!
This was awesome. I loved it and wish I had it to read all over again. If you haven't discovered it yet, set aside some time - you're in for a treat....more
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