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hngisreading's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Gore, Blood, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Body horror
teesreads's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
I love Bo, and he is now my favorite book boyfriend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror
Minor: Death of parent
utopiastateofmind's review
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
I was never really sure where The Undead Truth of Us was going, until I re-framed my expectations. Only knowing zombies, you might expect - like I did - for the story to revolve around the zombies. To be an adventure contemporary about unraveling the zombie mystery. But The Undead Truth of Us isn't that at all. It's a story about loss. Character driven to the core, this debut is about processing our pain, working through our own mistakes, and finding the space within ourselves.
The zombie elements are less of a central driving force and more so another element in this contemporary story. With journal entries throughout about zombies, but also about life, The Undead Truth of Us is less about mystery, and more about Zharie. About her own lingering feelings of anger and grief and the ways in which she has to learn to love and trust again - if she can. It took me a while to wrap my head around changing my expectations. And when I did, I began to enjoy the book more.
I was never really sure where The Undead Truth of Us was going, until I re-framed my expectations. Only knowing zombies, you might expect - like I did - for the story to revolve around the zombies. To be an adventure contemporary about unraveling the zombie mystery. But The Undead Truth of Us isn't that at all. It's a story about loss. Character driven to the core, this debut is about processing our pain, working through our own mistakes, and finding the space within ourselves.
The zombie elements are less of a central driving force and more so another element in this contemporary story. With journal entries throughout about zombies, but also about life, The Undead Truth of Us is less about mystery, and more about Zharie. About her own lingering feelings of anger and grief and the ways in which she has to learn to love and trust again - if she can. It took me a while to wrap my head around changing my expectations. And when I did, I began to enjoy the book more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm and Body horror
marywahlmeierbracciano's review
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Zharie loves to dance—West Coast Swing, specifically, which she used to dance with her mom before she inexplicably turns into a zombie a few days before her untimely death. Nearly a year later, Zharie just wants to hide away, but she needs to find out the truth about what happened to her mom, and her skater boy neighbor is determined to get her out of her shell (and also, he might be a zombie?). Set in Kansas City, this sweet and surprising slow burn love story and exploration of grief reads like a Vincent van Gogh painting with a twist of horror.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, and Alcohol
Moderate: Death of parent, Gore, and Body horror
Minor: Infidelity and Vomit
booksbyabbi's review
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Mark your calendars people. August 9th. You need to get your hands on this book. It is claiming one of the spots for top books this year because it was STUNNING. I actually love fantasy or contemporary books with horror aspects and Lewis does it brilliantly with this one! Her take on zombies is heartbreaking, unique, and beautifully written and her command of prose is just gorgeous. She can be pulling you from a sweeping description of what it means to be human straight into the horrifying face of the undead.
The premise intrigued me because of this aspect, but I was pleasantly surprised with the romance between the main character Zharie and the boy who moves in downstairs, Bo. Their dynamic is hilarious and adorable and everything I’m sure we all dream about. One of my favourite little things about Zharie's character were all of her well-rounded interests. From West Coast Swing dancing to a fascination with Vincent van Gogh, she felt like a real person on the page (and someone I would totally be friends with). I really did appreciate the references to van Gogh through the book because he and his story are an inspiration to me personally and it was refreshing to see him represented by more than just a few cliche remarks about The Starry Night. All of her interests were so well researched and developed that it really just added to the depth of her character. In fact, all of Lewis’s characters are rich and make me want nothing more than to be sucked into the pages to join their friend group. Honestly, the characters are what make this such an addicting read as you can't help but be pulled in by their humour, compassion, and humanity.
No review would be complete without commenting on the ending. I had to read it six times just to make sure I was reading it right. It gives you this lovely bit of closure and peace and then completely flips everything around and you are left reeling. However, it still functions well as a standalone and I think it is just such a perfectly crafted ending. (but please britney do not take that as me saying i don’t need a sequel to move on. i’m begging you to write one)
Everything about this book is so captivatingly human. It is a tale of grief and uncertainty, love and loss. There are times when you don’t know what is going on, but that’s because Zharie doesn’t either. This book is her journey and we are forced to take it with her in all of its ups and downs, triumphs and losses, until the very end.
The premise intrigued me because of this aspect, but I was pleasantly surprised with the romance between the main character Zharie and the boy who moves in downstairs, Bo. Their dynamic is hilarious and adorable and everything I’m sure we all dream about. One of my favourite little things about Zharie's character were all of her well-rounded interests. From West Coast Swing dancing to a fascination with Vincent van Gogh, she felt like a real person on the page (and someone I would totally be friends with). I really did appreciate the references to van Gogh through the book because he and his story are an inspiration to me personally and it was refreshing to see him represented by more than just a few cliche remarks about The Starry Night. All of her interests were so well researched and developed that it really just added to the depth of her character. In fact, all of Lewis’s characters are rich and make me want nothing more than to be sucked into the pages to join their friend group. Honestly, the characters are what make this such an addicting read as you can't help but be pulled in by their humour, compassion, and humanity.
No review would be complete without commenting on the ending. I had to read it six times just to make sure I was reading it right. It gives you this lovely bit of closure and peace and then completely flips everything around and you are left reeling. However, it still functions well as a standalone and I think it is just such a perfectly crafted ending. (but please britney do not take that as me saying i don’t need a sequel to move on. i’m begging you to write one)
Everything about this book is so captivatingly human. It is a tale of grief and uncertainty, love and loss. There are times when you don’t know what is going on, but that’s because Zharie doesn’t either. This book is her journey and we are forced to take it with her in all of its ups and downs, triumphs and losses, until the very end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Body horror, Death of parent, and Grief
Minor: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
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