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motherofzero's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
catra121's review against another edition
4.0
I'll be the first to admit...zombie stories are not usually my thing. I tend to find them boring because it feels like it's all been done before. But...I thought this was a fresh spin on the zombie story. I quite enjoyed it. It's well written, well paced, and I definitely recommend checking it out. I also enjoyed the narrator and listening to the audiobook. Well worth it.
jessgordon_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Don’t get me wrong, this is a good book. I love that it’s a completely different spin on the zombie story line than I’ve ever seen before. But for whatever reason I just could not stay focused reading it. I kept finding myself picking up my phone or realizing that I had no idea what the last paragraph I read was about. It was also sadder than I expected. But again, it was a good read and I definitely recommend it!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Child abuse, and Sexual assault
Specifically child sexual abuse. It isn’t described in detail but it is mentioned multiple times throughout the book.vondav's review against another edition
5.0
A government run hospice for zombies, where the undead go to live out their remaining days. Emily is an agency nurse who has a past, having to provide for her daughter leads her to getting a job in one of the hospices. It’s a job that no-ones wants, caring for the undead whilst running the gauntlet with the anti-hospice supporters.
The hospice setting gave a human element to the zombies and it was a pleasant change to have the zombies having conversations and being treated with compassion. The horror element to this book builds up slowly lulling you into a false sense of security and when it started I must admit I let out a shocked cry. Throughout the story, Emily’s past is revealed and you understand why she is so protective over her daughter and why she has such a caring nature for the patients.
When I finished this book my emotions were in tatters, as a mom there were parts of this story that I could not imaging me doing and my heart went out to Robby who was in the hospice. My favourite character was Mama Metcalf a lonely elderly lady who had a heart of gold. Some of her one liners broke up the tension in the book. A nice touch was the instruction on how to make an origami crane which were at the beginning of some of the chapters.
The story flowed smoothly and with the added suspense made it a quick read. the twist at the end was unexpected. Another great publication by Crystal Lake and a well written book by Aaron Dries and Mark Allan Gunnells
The hospice setting gave a human element to the zombies and it was a pleasant change to have the zombies having conversations and being treated with compassion. The horror element to this book builds up slowly lulling you into a false sense of security and when it started I must admit I let out a shocked cry. Throughout the story, Emily’s past is revealed and you understand why she is so protective over her daughter and why she has such a caring nature for the patients.
When I finished this book my emotions were in tatters, as a mom there were parts of this story that I could not imaging me doing and my heart went out to Robby who was in the hospice. My favourite character was Mama Metcalf a lonely elderly lady who had a heart of gold. Some of her one liners broke up the tension in the book. A nice touch was the instruction on how to make an origami crane which were at the beginning of some of the chapters.
The story flowed smoothly and with the added suspense made it a quick read. the twist at the end was unexpected. Another great publication by Crystal Lake and a well written book by Aaron Dries and Mark Allan Gunnells
riley_rose's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
memnoch's review against another edition
4.0
The best zombie book/movie/tv show I have come across in a long time. I admit I would not of bought it if I knew it had zombies. That sub-genre has been played out and repetitive for years. This is a totally new creepy take on zombies. It is totally character driven and you get really emotionally involved and can't put it down. Also, a great ending which is rare. I don't give it 5 stars because of editing. A couple big mistakes missed but it does not effect story. Highly recommend.
lanternsjourney's review against another edition
4.0
This was a nice quick read about zombies set in Chicago around Christmas. It was unique in that it's set in a time when zombies have been around for a bit and the government has found ways to handle the outbreak. In the case of this book, those who have been infected go to a hospice to wait out their time safely and as comfortably as possible before they turn. The book centers around one hospice and one family in particular, which is a breath of fresh air compared to most zombie novels that are macro level government/military shoot em ups.
This book has a slow and steady start with an explosive ending, perfect for that scary cozy Christmas read!
This book has a slow and steady start with an explosive ending, perfect for that scary cozy Christmas read!
booknallnight's review against another edition
fast-paced
4.0
This was definitely NOT what I was expecting and that is perfectly fine with me LOL. I was actually looking for a Christmas type horror read, and while this does have a short moment of Christmas, that's about it.
Also, for me anyway, this actually wasn't all that horrifying. This was more like an emotional dystopian beginning to the world since a plague/virus causes people to turn into "zombies".
Usually, in books like this we get gory, horrifying and terror-filled. This was more so the emotional aspect of the people who have loved ones that have been bitten, and the pain, grief and agony they go through. It is also the colder, and more heartless part of humanity once they see someone as no longer "human".
I really enjoyed this flip side of the equation and flew thru this one. The narrator is amazing too and added to the overall love of this one. Definitely recommend for those who want a little different than the normal zombie horror.
Also, for me anyway, this actually wasn't all that horrifying. This was more like an emotional dystopian beginning to the world since a plague/virus causes people to turn into "zombies".
Usually, in books like this we get gory, horrifying and terror-filled. This was more so the emotional aspect of the people who have loved ones that have been bitten, and the pain, grief and agony they go through. It is also the colder, and more heartless part of humanity once they see someone as no longer "human".
I really enjoyed this flip side of the equation and flew thru this one. The narrator is amazing too and added to the overall love of this one. Definitely recommend for those who want a little different than the normal zombie horror.