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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
I enjoyed this book. It was recommended to me by my brother and I was glad I took the recommendation. I liked that it wasn't just a simple zombie story but had an added depth to it. It actually considered ethics of zombies and that they were real people. A fascinating comparison to most zombie stories. I also enjoyed the contrast of the town people that were just sticking their heads in the sands and the people that felt actually drawn to change things. I see how that could totally happen in a post apocalyptic society.
Dystopian/Zombie/Horror Novel
This is a really complex zombie story, especially for YA lit. The character development is really strong throughout the story and the challenges that the protagonist confronts should be relatable for young readers. I think this would make a good YA read for older teens (probably 9th grade and above). The book does a really good job at considering the idea of the walking dead from a different point-of-view. Usually, zombies are monsters, but in this novel, the young protagonist, Benny, learns that though dangerous zombies should not be brutally maimed, they are not playthings. As Benny comes to terms with his own ethical standpoint on the value of human life, and as he develops respect for the previous lives of those now undead, he matures and his relationships benefit from his willingness to open his mind, listen, and learn from the things that happen around him. The novel includes romance that adds another level of complexity to the development of the story and the protagonist himself.
Benny Imura's life 14 years after "first night" changes when he has to get a job and make his own contribution to society. Benny chooses to apprentice under his brother Tom, and his life changes forever as he wanders out into the Rot and Ruin to discover that the life he lives inside the walls of the zombie-safe town of Mountainside, is really no life at all. Benny must make difficult life and death decisions that, while extreme for most teenagers, can help them understand the importance of life, friendship, love, trust, and being a good contribution to society.
I really did enjoy the book, although it is definitely geared towards a younger audience. That being said, I would definitely recommend for those interested in YA lit or zombie books.
This is a really complex zombie story, especially for YA lit. The character development is really strong throughout the story and the challenges that the protagonist confronts should be relatable for young readers. I think this would make a good YA read for older teens (probably 9th grade and above). The book does a really good job at considering the idea of the walking dead from a different point-of-view. Usually, zombies are monsters, but in this novel, the young protagonist, Benny, learns that though dangerous zombies should not be brutally maimed, they are not playthings. As Benny comes to terms with his own ethical standpoint on the value of human life, and as he develops respect for the previous lives of those now undead, he matures and his relationships benefit from his willingness to open his mind, listen, and learn from the things that happen around him. The novel includes romance that adds another level of complexity to the development of the story and the protagonist himself.
Benny Imura's life 14 years after "first night" changes when he has to get a job and make his own contribution to society. Benny chooses to apprentice under his brother Tom, and his life changes forever as he wanders out into the Rot and Ruin to discover that the life he lives inside the walls of the zombie-safe town of Mountainside, is really no life at all. Benny must make difficult life and death decisions that, while extreme for most teenagers, can help them understand the importance of life, friendship, love, trust, and being a good contribution to society.
I really did enjoy the book, although it is definitely geared towards a younger audience. That being said, I would definitely recommend for those interested in YA lit or zombie books.
Loved, loved, loved this book. Surving, and fighting for your life is balanced nicely against the realities of morals in a world filled with the living dead. I felt that each of the characters were nicely fleshed out, they were all individuals and had their own stories.
Definately a favourite.
Definately a favourite.
I'm officially torn. This has some good aspects, some mediocre and some downright annoying... and I'm not sure which holds the trump card. I mean, it was a reasomable read but I won't rush out to buy the next in the series.
So on the good side the writing is smooth, the dialogue holds you and the characterisations are generally strong. For the mediocre, the narrative is rather wishy washy, the zombies aren't actually scary and the world building is weak. There are far too many words to cover what actually happens; a good fifty pages worth could be cut and it would make the whole thing move along quicker and be less of a drudge at times.
So, the annoying? The romance for one. The attempt at a love triangle for two. Less of the teenage angst smoochy stuff and more actual plot with zombies please, ta and bye. I really don't care and would far to read something more interesting... like a decapitation scene... it can even involve one of the wannabe love birds to get that out the way for good. Another issue is that both the romantic characters and the bad guys are two dimensional and have been inserted for a single purpose rather than as fully dimensional human beings.
Then back to the zombies; way too much of the book is dedicated to the philosophy of treating zombies with respect and leaving them to wander for an eternity at will. Hell no, decapitate that thing before it eats your face. Some of the analogies used are hugely over the top... and come on, zombies just beget more zombies and these things never decompose despite the whole being dead bit. It's a disease with a hundred per cent mortality rate and they are already dead... just animated. Stop wishy washing around and do the humane thing.
And the epilogue. Why do you do this to me!?? If you need an epilogue you haven't written your ending well enough. It comes across as forced and stilted because it is forced and stilted.
So on the good side the writing is smooth, the dialogue holds you and the characterisations are generally strong. For the mediocre, the narrative is rather wishy washy, the zombies aren't actually scary and the world building is weak. There are far too many words to cover what actually happens; a good fifty pages worth could be cut and it would make the whole thing move along quicker and be less of a drudge at times.
So, the annoying? The romance for one. The attempt at a love triangle for two. Less of the teenage angst smoochy stuff and more actual plot with zombies please, ta and bye. I really don't care and would far to read something more interesting... like a decapitation scene... it can even involve one of the wannabe love birds to get that out the way for good. Another issue is that both the romantic characters and the bad guys are two dimensional and have been inserted for a single purpose rather than as fully dimensional human beings.
Then back to the zombies; way too much of the book is dedicated to the philosophy of treating zombies with respect and leaving them to wander for an eternity at will. Hell no, decapitate that thing before it eats your face. Some of the analogies used are hugely over the top... and come on, zombies just beget more zombies and these things never decompose despite the whole being dead bit. It's a disease with a hundred per cent mortality rate and they are already dead... just animated. Stop wishy washing around and do the humane thing.
And the epilogue. Why do you do this to me!?? If you need an epilogue you haven't written your ending well enough. It comes across as forced and stilted because it is forced and stilted.
3.5.
I loved the humanness of the story so much. The genre isn't my usual flavor, but I appreciated how much was here. Some excellent passages about surviving and thriving and passion and standing up for what's right and just and what you believe in.
I loved the humanness of the story so much. The genre isn't my usual flavor, but I appreciated how much was here. Some excellent passages about surviving and thriving and passion and standing up for what's right and just and what you believe in.
I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. I thought it would be more of a basic Zombie book. I found it to be more of a story about brothers with a back drop of a zombie apocalypse. I enjoyed the story line of brothers learning to become friends.
This is a pretty simple zombie novel. It follows Bennie as he learns the family business of being a zombie hunter.
My teenager read these books in middle school and thoroughly enjoyed them. I'm finally getting to them and as an adult (and author of a few zombie books myself), I very much enjoyed many of the concepts here, especially about daily life and the demeanor of the "zoms." The plot was a little predictable but works very well for the YA target audience, who aren't as jaded as the rest of us yet. Recommended if you like zombies or have a young reader in your life who needs something to really pique their interest.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
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