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squeakyshep's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kil3yp's review against another edition
1.0
I think I could grow to like Isaac Marion's writing.
I hate this story, however.
First off, while first person writing is implausible in most cases - unless the individual is writing like a journal or telling the story to someone else - this is even worse. R can barely speak a I'm supposed to believe a story from his perspective has somehow reached me, the reader? A minor irritant - I plowed onwards.
Ah now marriage and children. Right. And bringing food back for non-hunters. Yeah. Again, so much talk of disorganization and brainlessness - but yet we have organized religion, marriage ceremonies, child adoption, school and breadwinners.
And then animated skeletons. Is this magic? Because my feelings are that even if by some special virus or fungus or whatever, a nearly fully decomposed corpse manages to maintain a brain that isn't disintegrated, there would still need to be muscles and tendons and ligaments in place to allow for movement of a skeleton.
Maybe I take my zombie fiction way to seriously, but this book just felt clumsy and poorly considered to me.
I hate this story, however.
First off, while first person writing is implausible in most cases - unless the individual is writing like a journal or telling the story to someone else - this is even worse. R can barely speak a I'm supposed to believe a story from his perspective has somehow reached me, the reader? A minor irritant - I plowed onwards.
Ah now marriage and children. Right. And bringing food back for non-hunters. Yeah. Again, so much talk of disorganization and brainlessness - but yet we have organized religion, marriage ceremonies, child adoption, school and breadwinners.
And then animated skeletons. Is this magic? Because my feelings are that even if by some special virus or fungus or whatever, a nearly fully decomposed corpse manages to maintain a brain that isn't disintegrated, there would still need to be muscles and tendons and ligaments in place to allow for movement of a skeleton.
Maybe I take my zombie fiction way to seriously, but this book just felt clumsy and poorly considered to me.
kittyhollow's review against another edition
2.0
This book is zombies meets Disney princess. Its all Magic and values and love conquers all. "Just be yourself kids, even if you are a corpse. Listen to your heart, even if it is not beating. The magic of love can heal all."
This book would be better classified as humor. If it is read as such, it is hilarious. As a serious love story though it falls flat.
The story seems forced at times. When it stops making sense, Marion simply changes the rules again. He cheats his way through the story. He creates a zombie apocalyptic world which can be cured magically... By love. He needs his zombie to withstand a hundred foot drop, so like magic it happens with no real explanation besides the fact that R is different somehow.
Marion uses interesting and unique ideas but makes them laughable by how far he takes them. The idea that a zombie might be thinking something behind his macabre corpse exterior for instance is perfectly reasonable, but for that thought then change his gait, his speech, his abilities (R can drive a stick shift) is ridiculous.
This story scrapes by with two stars because it was so hilarious. Once I stopped taking the story seriously, it was all laughs from there.
This book would be better classified as humor. If it is read as such, it is hilarious. As a serious love story though it falls flat.
The story seems forced at times. When it stops making sense, Marion simply changes the rules again. He cheats his way through the story. He creates a zombie apocalyptic world which can be cured magically... By love. He needs his zombie to withstand a hundred foot drop, so like magic it happens with no real explanation besides the fact that R is different somehow.
Marion uses interesting and unique ideas but makes them laughable by how far he takes them. The idea that a zombie might be thinking something behind his macabre corpse exterior for instance is perfectly reasonable, but for that thought then change his gait, his speech, his abilities (R can drive a stick shift) is ridiculous.
This story scrapes by with two stars because it was so hilarious. Once I stopped taking the story seriously, it was all laughs from there.
blessedwannab's review against another edition
5.0
It's books like this that really really make me wish that I could do half star ratings. This book is definitely somewhere between a 4.5 and a 4.75 star rating.
R was fascinating. Watching his slow transformation was absolutely fascinating. I loved how in the beginning you completely felt the monotony of riding the airport escalators. Despite such beautiful prose Marion did a superb job portraying the gruesome and thoughtless aspects of being a zombie. He didn't seem to hold back, at times the wording would actually make me feel a bit sick.
I loved the concept of why the Zombies went for the brains. And how they derived energy from eating human flesh.
I thought that the relationship between R and Julie was touching and sweet. Julie was spunky, but also a bit of a mess. But the real beauty in the love story in this book was that you got to watch it develop through R. His voice was so strong, but also vulnerable. Even though he was a little bit gross, he made you love him.
There were a couple things that I had a hard time with. There was alot of back and forth that I thought was unnecessary. Things that were stated but didn't seem to have any bearing on the story at all.
It doesn't really matter though because regardless of 2-3 personal issues, this was a really great book with a really great message. Definitely well worth reading and I look forward to others by this author.
R was fascinating. Watching his slow transformation was absolutely fascinating. I loved how in the beginning you completely felt the monotony of riding the airport escalators. Despite such beautiful prose Marion did a superb job portraying the gruesome and thoughtless aspects of being a zombie. He didn't seem to hold back, at times the wording would actually make me feel a bit sick.
I loved the concept of why the Zombies went for the brains. And how they derived energy from eating human flesh.
I thought that the relationship between R and Julie was touching and sweet. Julie was spunky, but also a bit of a mess. But the real beauty in the love story in this book was that you got to watch it develop through R. His voice was so strong, but also vulnerable. Even though he was a little bit gross, he made you love him.
There were a couple things that I had a hard time with. There was alot of back and forth that I thought was unnecessary. Things that were stated but didn't seem to have any bearing on the story at all.
It doesn't really matter though because regardless of 2-3 personal issues, this was a really great book with a really great message. Definitely well worth reading and I look forward to others by this author.
eatingwords's review against another edition
3.0
I had high hopes for this one. Everyone, literally everyone, was gushing over this novel, saying it was so unique and different from everything they ever read in the zombie genre.
I liked the premise of the book. Male zombie falls in love with a human girl. Is that even possible?
But aside from the great writing I thought that it wasn't that great. The beginning was so boring, I almost fell asleep like three times reading the first 50 pages.
But there had to be something good, so I kept reading it and at about page 100 it started to pick up. It was getting more interesting and I wanted to know how the story will develop.
About halfway through I thought I would give this story a solid 4 stars, maybe even 4.5, but I thought that the ending was too unrealistic and too optimistic. It didn't quite fit into the story. Also there was so much change and it happened all too fast within a few pages.
I've seen the movie trailer and I thought that it was hilarious, so I'll hopefully like the movie more than the book.
Actually, I'm looking forward to reading the sequel. The story might get better. At least that's what I hope.
I liked the premise of the book. Male zombie falls in love with a human girl. Is that even possible?
But aside from the great writing I thought that it wasn't that great. The beginning was so boring, I almost fell asleep like three times reading the first 50 pages.
But there had to be something good, so I kept reading it and at about page 100 it started to pick up. It was getting more interesting and I wanted to know how the story will develop.
About halfway through I thought I would give this story a solid 4 stars, maybe even 4.5, but I thought that the ending was too unrealistic and too optimistic. It didn't quite fit into the story. Also there was so much change and it happened all too fast within a few pages.
I've seen the movie trailer and I thought that it was hilarious, so I'll hopefully like the movie more than the book.
Actually, I'm looking forward to reading the sequel. The story might get better. At least that's what I hope.
tarsharks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I love the movie so I knew I had to give this book a read. There were so many parts I laughed out loud with R's witty comments. This book definitely makes you think about what it means to be human. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
thrasher619's review against another edition
5.0
Saying that a book written about zombies is beautiful just sounds absurd but somehow this book is just so eloquent and well written, all other words to describe it escape me. My mind is blown by the authors ability to create a world devastated by plague and despair and give it this small hope that spreads. Some small force takes these characters from their deepest darkest places and gives them a fighting chance at true happiness. I am grateful that Isaac Marion has been given an opportunity to showcase his amazing talent and I so look forward to experiencing his next literary endeavor.
rockerpam's review against another edition
4.0
Pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book!
jade_smith's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
2.5
Warm Bodies was one of my favourite movies as a 14 year old. Ten years later I’ve finally picked up the book.
The writing was so painfully edgy. Like, teenage boy who thinks he knows everything because he listens to Radiohead and knows who Nietzsche is kinda edgy. And I would have probably adored it ten years ago.
I’m probably no longer the target audience for this novel. I might have found it profound as a teenager, but as it currently stands I spent 230 pages fighting the cringe. It’s exactly what I should have expected from a novel that has a positive word by Stephanie Meyer proudly displayed on the cover.
But I will say that the part of me that loves a good monster romance has a soft spot for Warm Bodies, Isaac Marion’s groan-worthy writing and weirdly religious overtones aside.
And, the movie will continue to be a guilty pleasure. The soft spot extends to Nicholas Hoult being a weird little guy and the bangin’ soundtrack which shaped an embarrassing amount of my ongoing taste in music.
The writing was so painfully edgy. Like, teenage boy who thinks he knows everything because he listens to Radiohead and knows who Nietzsche is kinda edgy. And I would have probably adored it ten years ago.
I’m probably no longer the target audience for this novel. I might have found it profound as a teenager, but as it currently stands I spent 230 pages fighting the cringe. It’s exactly what I should have expected from a novel that has a positive word by Stephanie Meyer proudly displayed on the cover.
But I will say that the part of me that loves a good monster romance has a soft spot for Warm Bodies, Isaac Marion’s groan-worthy writing and weirdly religious overtones aside.
And, the movie will continue to be a guilty pleasure. The soft spot extends to Nicholas Hoult being a weird little guy and the bangin’ soundtrack which shaped an embarrassing amount of my ongoing taste in music.
izpalm's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5