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cosmic_nova_'s review
adventurous
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? It's complicated
3.0
This book was perfectly average. It's pretty predictable and very standard zombie apocalypse cliches. The focus of the book is more on the characters, which is a shame as they are mostly one dimensional. It is also very clear that the author has no idea how teenagers actually act. I can assure you that no teenager would be 'live tweeting' their death. Also the fact that they are able to overpower fully grown adults and zombies is just too unrealistic to be enjoyable.
grace_koalateareads's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.5
Highway Bodies is the second book I’ve read by Alison Evans, Euphoria Kids was the first, and let me tell you, I am obsessed with Alison’s storytelling!! They just know how to grab you from the first chapter, smother you (in a good way) with beautiful queer characters and leave you wanting to jump into the story (zombies and all).
Highway Bodies follows the stories of a trans girl from out “Woop Woop”, JoJo a non-binary twin from the outer suburbs of Melbourne and Dee a bi girl who is a drummer in a band on a getaway with her three friends. What do they have in common? Only the fact that a zombie apocalypse has begun in Victoria, Australia now they must fight to survive.
I’m a sucker for a good apocalyptic story, and this one has jumped to the top of my favourites for sure. I loved actually knowing the locations (or using google maps to double check), the jargon, the back roads and feeling the dusty summer heat. Have I often thought what I’d do during a zombie apocalypse? Mayyyyybe.. Let’s just say I might need to become a “prepper” after reading this book.. Just in case!! One thing I can say for sure though, is I can’t recommend this book enough!! Although I am only giving it 4.5 stars as I really would have liked more with the ending.
Content warning: zombies, gore, blood, death, murder, death of a parent, death of a loved one, graphic violence, weapons, animal death, misgendering, homophobia, transphobia, references to past domestic violence/child abuse.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Death, Violence, Murder, Death of parent, and Blood
Moderate: Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Dysphoria, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Vomit
Minor: Car accident, Domestic abuse, Cursing, Transphobia, Deadnaming, and Bullying
alexscott's review
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
aaron_j136's review
4.0
This was really good I just wish it had more of an clear story/ plot. I loved all the
roksyreads's review
adventurous
dark
sad
fast-paced
2.0
Pros:
• An incredibly diverse cast of LGBTQI+ and POC characters.
• Set in Australia!
Cons:
• The story is boring, repetitive, and predictable.
• One POV is written with a heavy 'ocker' accent which is just... painful to read. Though it did mean I didn't spend multiple pages occasionally trying to determine exactly which of the other POVs I was reading.
• I am famous among my friends for my creative and frequent cussing, but that doesn't make a book which uses the word 'fuck' (and its many variations) to bolster its page count enjoyable.
• Does little to counter the negative stereotypes about young adults, painting most of the cast as Twitter fiends who are lost without internet. Most teenagers are incredibly capable individuals with a vast array of interests and skills, and this book really missed an opportunity to showcase that.
• An incredibly diverse cast of LGBTQI+ and POC characters.
• Set in Australia!
Cons:
• The story is boring, repetitive, and predictable.
• One POV is written with a heavy 'ocker' accent which is just... painful to read. Though it did mean I didn't spend multiple pages occasionally trying to determine exactly which of the other POVs I was reading.
• I am famous among my friends for my creative and frequent cussing, but that doesn't make a book which uses the word 'fuck' (and its many variations) to bolster its page count enjoyable.
• Does little to counter the negative stereotypes about young adults, painting most of the cast as Twitter fiends who are lost without internet. Most teenagers are incredibly capable individuals with a vast array of interests and skills, and this book really missed an opportunity to showcase that.
drizzlybear's review
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
queer!australian!zombie apocalypse
not a whole lot of plot things
not a whole lot of plot things
littleelfman's review
5.0
Highway Bodies puts the heart (tasty tasty heart) into a zombie novel. I've decided that the tagline for this could be "Queer teens find and support each other in troubled times" because it's just so good! Just don't get bit, you'll turn! (LOL! *Tears*)
bookdeviant's review
5.0
Unlike a lot of people, I haven’t seen or read much zombie media. For some reason, I was just never interested in the living dead, so I just never bothered to pick up books with zombies or watch movies with zombies. But when I learned that one of my favorite authors was writing a YA novel with an all queer cast during a zombie apocalypse? I just couldn’t say no. Highway Bodies is a unique zombie story centering queer teens and found family during times of need. An intense story, a lot of warnings would need to be said for this book. But having read and loved this book so much, I can’t not recommend it.
Check out the full review at The Book Deviant.
Check out the full review at The Book Deviant.
lysela's review
4.0
'Highway Bodies' wonderful flow to it, that keeps you easily engaged in the narrative being told. Often stories that jump between POVs can be quite difficult to follow, but here, I think it adds charm and dimension to the story. Each character is well fleshed out and has a unique voice, making it easy for the reader to distinguish who's POV they're reading from. It's queer and gender non-conforming, which was already a highlight for me.
I found myself disappointed as the story came to an end as the ending felt a little abrupt... however, it does paves the way for a potential sequel. I wish we got to see even more of these characters and the difficult choices they would likely be making after the conclusion of the novel.
I found myself disappointed as the story came to an end as the ending felt a little abrupt... however, it does paves the way for a potential sequel. I wish we got to see even more of these characters and the difficult choices they would likely be making after the conclusion of the novel.
rain_tea_and_books's review
5.0
Honestly, I cannot cope when it comes to Zombies (watched ‘World War Z’ and since then it’s been a large nope from me). With this though, I was at a YA panel at a writers festival and heard about this book. A zombie apocalypse set in Australia, with a cast of beautifully written queer characters? Apart from the Zombies what more could I want?
I thought I’d give it a go, and I am so glad I did!
This novel was wonderfully written with a beautiful collection of diverse characters. I couldn’t help but feel the fear and anxiety they all did throughout the course of (rather horrible) events. Reading as each of the characters faced challenges and overcame them was awesome, and a lot of the solutions to problems were really interesting too.
This will have to be my favourite instance of Zombies. Perhaps ever?
Zombies are still horrid and gross though, not gonna lie.
I thought I’d give it a go, and I am so glad I did!
This novel was wonderfully written with a beautiful collection of diverse characters. I couldn’t help but feel the fear and anxiety they all did throughout the course of (rather horrible) events. Reading as each of the characters faced challenges and overcame them was awesome, and a lot of the solutions to problems were really interesting too.
This will have to be my favourite instance of Zombies. Perhaps ever?
Zombies are still horrid and gross though, not gonna lie.