Why did I bother to read this? I have no idea what made me pick it up, it's been ages since I thought any "zombiesque" literature could bring anythingWhy did I bother to read this? I have no idea what made me pick it up, it's been ages since I thought any "zombiesque" literature could bring anything new. In this world of global pandemic that we now live in, rampant viruses in fiction does not mean a safe escape from reality.
In this book, it's a mutated rabies virus that runs rampant through the population. Rather than requiring weeks to make mammals ill, it needs just hours. Now, I grew up with valid rabies vaccination. It was my greatest childhood fear to become infected, it was the monster under my bed. I was afraid that when my neighbor's dog licked my hand, or accidentally scratched my skin in play, would infect me. I lived in northern Thailand in the 1980's and every few months children were kept indoors while rabid dogs were hunted, so it was not a completely unreasonable fear. I knew from a very early age, that being vaccinated meant that you could start treatment later. The only way to detect rabies - at least back then - was from analyzing the brains of the dog or animal that had bitten a human. If you were vaccinated, you had up to three weeks to find out. I even have a dog's life on my conscience, having been viciously attacked by an unprovoked dobermann when I was 10. The dog was not rabid and I did not need 3 weeks of daily injections. Nor did I succumb do madness and hydrophobia and die a horrible death. Modern victims of rabies are sedated when the hallucinations start, since rabies really isn't a desired way to go.
So you see, this being my personal boogeyman, the book should have had great potential in waking old fears and scaring me witless. Instead it bored while I tried to grasp what the author really wanted to say with his text and failed. All we do is follow Ramona and pregnant Natalie, chasing treatment before it is too late, or at the very least, to save Natalie's unborn child. It should have been exciting, but it wasn't. ...more
I rolled my eyes at this book to start with, just at the title with another "girl" in it. I thought it would be some usual coming of age drivel and noI rolled my eyes at this book to start with, just at the title with another "girl" in it. I thought it would be some usual coming of age drivel and not until I realized it was a zombie book did I review my judgement. After further consideration, I decided to read it - this even after I read and absolutely hated "Fellside" by the same author.
I did not hate this. It's far more engaging than "Fellside" and a somewhat fresh take on the zombie genre. The world presented here is ten-twenty years into the zombie plague. There are still pockets of humanity and some research institutes left. In one of them there is a girl called Melanie. She's a high functioning zombie. Doctor Caroline Caldwell thinks she can find a cure by figuring out how Melanie and children like here are immune.
I found the characters intriguing. Melanie is of course the star, but even the others are to varying degrees nuanced and interesting. The pathology of the illness is discussed at length and quite fascinating. Definitely worth bothering to read. ...more
I read this on the plane from Madeira to Norway and was positively surprised. Since "ghouls" were involved I expected something mediocre, but it's decI read this on the plane from Madeira to Norway and was positively surprised. Since "ghouls" were involved I expected something mediocre, but it's decent. I'm even inclined to read the next in the series.
The ghouls are - aside from being dry - indistinguishable from zombies. At least as far as I could tell. The difference from the usual zombie book is that the apocalypse took place a very long time ago and humanity's been able to ward off the worst. But now fences are falling and there is the usual political scheming found in dystopia novels.
Although there isn't anything spectacularly unique here, it's definitely a decent effort. I wasn't annoyed at any point, and I am easily annoyed. ...more
Okay, I'm done with zombies for a good while now. With the exception of "the Walking Dead" series, possibly.
"Mountain Man" was an absolutely mediocreOkay, I'm done with zombies for a good while now. With the exception of "the Walking Dead" series, possibly.
"Mountain Man" was an absolutely mediocre, testosterone filled take on the post zombie apocalyptic world, adding nothing of interest. The main character Gus has barricaded himself in a house on a hillside outside a small town and lived alone there for two years, since the world zombified. He drinks and hoards supplies.
During one of Gus's hoarding sessions, he saves Scott, who was left for dead by a serial killer. They now drink, hoard, are occasionally literally scared shitless, and kill zombies together. Until one day a woman enters the picture and changes everything. I could not care less. There were some attempts at making Scott and Gus less cardboard manly and more appealing, but I wasn't convinced. This left me cold. ...more
This didn't do anything to me. It's probably more of a 2.4* because of it did not get on my nerves. I didn't like it either. Just another zombie apocaThis didn't do anything to me. It's probably more of a 2.4* because of it did not get on my nerves. I didn't like it either. Just another zombie apocalypse and a handful of lucky human beings who realize what is going on (or saved by someone) before they're ripped apart themselves. Katie who's been saved by a vet, saves Jenni in turn. Together they make a run for it in a truck and end up in a small, fortified town. They both get the hots for the same guy, Travis. The clinch: Katie says she's lesbian eventhough she's bisexual. Zombies try to get in. People screw up. Other than, nothing much of interest happens. The characters are cardboard and about as interesting as a carton of milk. I'll have forgotten I ever read this in a few days....more
A highschool reunion is to take place at midsummer on a small, isolated island in the waters between Sweden and the island Åland. The people who have A highschool reunion is to take place at midsummer on a small, isolated island in the waters between Sweden and the island Åland. The people who have joined do not particularly like each other. After exploring their relationship a couple of thieves appear and take the boat they arrived in. Because this is Sweden and Midsummer, the first response is to get drunk and have a party anyway. That's when the uninvited guests turn up and everything goes to hell, as it must.
This was disappointing. I had expected a bit more inventiveness from one of my favorite Swedish horror authors. The novella tries to be ironic, to mock itself, but it just falls flat. The characters are all unlikeable and I spent most of the time wishing their demise would come sooner. Not recommended....more
I was quite sure I had marked this as finished and written a short review, but well, apparently not. I finished this Tuesday evening. There isn't a teI was quite sure I had marked this as finished and written a short review, but well, apparently not. I finished this Tuesday evening. There isn't a terrible lot to say. Zombie apocalypse with military overtones. It's been three years since the end of the world and the only country which has any living left is the British island. They are under constant attack though. The military is searching for cures in the research centers across Europe. They are no longer working and because communication broke down, the last reports were never transmitted. There could be hope out there, somewhere in between the millions upon millions of living dead. A pretty good take....more
I read zombie books when I'm feeling particularly disillusioned or stressed. Makes all my petty problems seem pretty irrelevant - I, at least, am not I read zombie books when I'm feeling particularly disillusioned or stressed. Makes all my petty problems seem pretty irrelevant - I, at least, am not fighting for my life against a horde of undead. My expectations for the genre as such is low, although there have been a few highlights. This was definitely one of them. I quickly realized that this wasn't just another splatter YA average zombie book. There were hardly any clichés and that is quite remarkable in this genre. The characters were nuanced and the author made a great effort with detailing the inner workings of the group.
Five friends have been camping in the Australian wilderness for several weeks. They have had no contact with the outside world since they have been out of range for mobile phones and not had access to the internet. On their way back to "civilization" there are signs of the world having come off its hinges. Newspapers - not of newest date - tell of a virus going rampant and killing off large parts of the population. As they get closer to their home town, they have to cross a military barricade - and their first zombie. They fight as to whose parents they should first return to. Their worst fears are about to be realized - and can they overcome their conflicts enough to work together?
All in all I enjoyed this very much and will definitely be reading the next book in the series. Hopefully it's not too far off. ...more
So what do you do when you wake up at 7 am on a day off, from a zombie nightmare, and don't want to disturb the others in the room by turning on the lSo what do you do when you wake up at 7 am on a day off, from a zombie nightmare, and don't want to disturb the others in the room by turning on the light? Well, I turned on my phone, found my kindle app and picked a short story. Not that it was particularly effective against nightmares, I dreamt of zombies after I had finished and drifted off again.
This is a really short story about a 10 km race through hordes of people dressed up as zombies. They remove flags from the runner's belts, which means that time is added when they come to the finish line. It's incredibly obvious what will happen. It's fairly entertaining, but the main character is dumber than a rock - who would ever wish for a zombie apocalypse as shown in movies and on TV? Be careful what you wish for anyway.
Despite the fact that I had woken up from a zombie nightmare - or because of that fact, my own imagniation is a terrifying beast - this was a yawner. But it was otherwise quick and painless. I've almost forgotten I've read it already....more
Rating 3*/5. Easy, undemanding zombie fun. Bobby wakes up in a hospital, alone. Before long, the zombies are at the door and she escapes into a ventilRating 3*/5. Easy, undemanding zombie fun. Bobby wakes up in a hospital, alone. Before long, the zombies are at the door and she escapes into a ventilation shaft. She ends up in Alice's room and eventually Pete also turns up. Smitty though, is gone. Bobby's mother has left cryptic messages behind, the first being "find Smitty". So hunted by the evil medical company Xanthro and the occasional zombie, they try to find Smitty and Bobby's mother.
To sum up what happened in the fist book: evil company Xanthro infected a few dozen people with a zombie virus, which then spread like wildfire throughout the population. The idea was that Xanthro could then sell the cure at an exorbitant rate. Except Bobby injected the only vial of the cure into Smitty after he was bitten.
This book certainly didn't require much attention to follow. Perfect considering how little time to read I have during the work week at the moment. There aren't many surprises, but it is uncomplicated fun if you want an easy, YA take on zombies....more
Rating 3.4* out of 5. I loved this book. :) It's not original or profound, it's just good, unpretenious fun with a bit of blood splatter. Exactly whatRating 3.4* out of 5. I loved this book. :) It's not original or profound, it's just good, unpretenious fun with a bit of blood splatter. Exactly what you need after yet another hard day's work.
Bobby has returned to Scotland after a few childhood years in the United States. Her accent is all wrong and of course she's an outcast. So on her way home from a school trip, she doesn't join her classmates in the cafe when the bus stops fro a break. She remains in the bus with a rebellish boy who isn't let off the bus by a teacher. Little do they know at the time that this saves them from becoming the first victims in a zombie outbreak.
After the initial craze, zombie killings and panic, a few more living humans are encountered. First Alice and Peter from the class, and then a girl with her little brother. They end up in a castle which has a few secrets to reveal.
This book doesn't take it self very seriously. Bobby the heroine is snarky to say the least, but then again, having to cooperate with Alice, the most popular girl in the class, takes it toll. It's the first "zombie comedy" book I've ever read, that's for sure. A great ride. I'm glad I've got the next book.
This was a nice surprise considering the last installment, which was nearly a wall-banger and much weaker and more annoying than any previous. This isThis was a nice surprise considering the last installment, which was nearly a wall-banger and much weaker and more annoying than any previous. This is almost back to old form. Rick doesn't really want to cooperate with Negan after all, he's just appearing submissive. Unfortunately he neglects letting Carl in on his plans, with disastrous consequences....more
I'm still on Madeira, so this will be short. I hated this book despite having enjoyed the previous two in the series. I know I shouldn't complain abouI'm still on Madeira, so this will be short. I hated this book despite having enjoyed the previous two in the series. I know I shouldn't complain about zombie books being far fetched, but this was SO over the top it was ridiculous. Despite this it also managed to be boring. ...more
Rating 3.4* out of 5. Good but not exactly great. Benny, his brother and friends are heading east, in the direction of a jumbo jet they've seen overheRating 3.4* out of 5. Good but not exactly great. Benny, his brother and friends are heading east, in the direction of a jumbo jet they've seen overhead. Absolutely nothing goes as planned. A bit to YA for my taste. Didn't deter me from immediately picking up the next one though. ;-) (I'm on vacation without a pc, so my phone types reviews are short.)...more
This was really surprisingly good! A very humane and respectful look at the zombie apocalypse. A totally new perspective and some really cool characteThis was really surprisingly good! A very humane and respectful look at the zombie apocalypse. A totally new perspective and some really cool characters. :-) Some terrible ones as well, the living were a lot worse than the walking dead....more
Rating 3.4* out of five. A rather different zombie book, compared from the others I have read. The zombies are fairly contained here, at least at the Rating 3.4* out of five. A rather different zombie book, compared from the others I have read. The zombies are fairly contained here, at least at the beginning.
A secret military organization is set up and recruits Joe Ledger as team leader. The mission: to find terrorist cells which develop a new biological weapon. A pathogen which causes zombies. It's a race to stop the plan to unleash a zombie plague on the infidels. Of course, things do not go exactly as planned for the anti-terrorist organization. It becomes clear that they are infiltrated. But by who, remains the question.
Not exactly stellar, but entertaining enough and above-average intelligent for a zombie book....more
Rating 3*/5. It's been a year or so since I read my first zombie novel - "World War Z" - and there have been several since. I did not find that "Dead Rating 3*/5. It's been a year or so since I read my first zombie novel - "World War Z" - and there have been several since. I did not find that "Dead Sea" brought anything new to the table. Except the protagonist, I can't recall any of the prevoius heros (nor villains, for that matter), being gay black men. So yes, Lamar Reed has a lot more on his plate than just the plague of zombies. Despite the world falling down around everyone's ears he still suffers from prejudice (having done nothing to deserve it, quite the oppposite). Lamar was definitely on the upside of this book. As for the events themselves, I didn't find anything original there. Then again, going to look for originality in a zombie book seems like a pretty silly endevaour in itself.
Anyway, a month or so after the plague started - with zombie rats attacking humans - Lamar has to venture out to get more supplies. He barely makes it back alive and after that a fire begins to rage. He flees toward the harbor. First he's saved by a couple of kids, then he saves them. They manage to board a boat and set off from shore. Question is, how long will they be safe? The zombie virus has an unpleasant habit of jumping species.
Of course this is where I would love to begin to nit-pick, something which is hugely inadvisable in this genre. Viruses and diseases do not often cross from one species to another. It's quite rare, with avian flu and "mad cow disease" being a couple of exceptions. Okay okay, I'll just leave the discussion here. You read a zombie book, it's best to just buckle up for a wild ride and leave your brain on the sidewalk.
Nevertheless, this is quite enjoyable and perfectly readable if you're into zombies. If you don't like zombies, you're not going to like this either. Except if you're really into fast paced action and ruthlessly gory scenes, in which case this might do. I found myself skimming through some of the detail just because it turned my stomach - and I've got a pretty strong one. ...more
This is the first "Walking dead" volume which took me more than a day to finish. It's the first one I did not like at all, probably because of the demThis is the first "Walking dead" volume which took me more than a day to finish. It's the first one I did not like at all, probably because of the demise of some really important characters. I think I've had my fill of death and damnation for a while, thank you very much....more
Zombies take a back seat in this volume. Actually, they've been in the back seat all along - just part of the landscape, not part of the actual story.Zombies take a back seat in this volume. Actually, they've been in the back seat all along - just part of the landscape, not part of the actual story. In this volume a stranger turns up with tales of other communities in the Washington area. The one he, "Jesus", comes from has 200 members and trades with several others. When Rick and some of his group see this Hilltop community, they are amazed. But all is not well in paradise....more
Food is running low and a group is sent out to check for supplies around the settlement. Carl wakes up after being shot in the head, but his memory isFood is running low and a group is sent out to check for supplies around the settlement. Carl wakes up after being shot in the head, but his memory is impaired. Again, as time and time before, it becomes clear that the main threat is from the living, not the dead....more
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